The Argosy — page 22: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

214 | THE ARGOSY. ‘“““Name your own conditions,’ he answered good naturedly. ‘ Make them to suit yourself.’ ‘““Tt’s just like this,’ I said: ‘We are now twenty two. In two years I will matriculate as a physician. I would not feel justified in asking her to engage herself to me so far ahead, should she prefer me, and you can easily afford to wait, especially as your father does not wish you to marry young.’ ““«That’s all right, Henry,’ he exclaimed enthusiastically. ‘ Then it is understood that each of ts may visit her and enjoy her society in the mean time.’ ‘* € Agreed,’ I said, ‘ but not a word of love.’ ‘* “How are we finally to arrange it?’ heasked, ‘I'll tell you,’ he con- tinued, as his face brightened. ‘When you are ready to propose, we will both do so, in writing, the same day, and by the same mail.’ ‘‘T studied the proposition fora moment. I could see nothing wrong in it. If either one of us proposed first, it would place Lydia in an em- barrassing position and be unfair to the other, as she might think that other indifferent. After all, it seemed the proper way to arrange it, considering the bond of love and foster brotherhood between us. ‘**T will say this here and now, Henry,’ the noble hearted fellow ex- claimed, as he wrung my hand. ‘No living woman shall ever come between us. Whatever her preference may be it will be fair on either side, and should she choose you, I am still your friend and your brother, while life lasts.’ ‘‘T do not need to say that I returned the warm pressure of his hand and assured him of the same undying sentiment on my part. ‘“We never referred again to this solemn compact until I had secured my diploma. Every vacation was spent at home, and every spare moment of my time was spent in Lydia’s sweet companionship. So fair with me was John Sater, that on such occasions he allowed me to monopolize her society, although I knew that he adored her. But he was at home constantly, and could bask in the sunshine of her smiles while I was far away. Through it all, I declare with perfect honesty I never felt a jealous throb, so im- plicitly did I trust him to honor our strange agreement. ‘“‘TImmediately after securing my diploma, I started for home. My foster father had obtained for me the charge of the local hospital, which had really begun its existence through a generous gift from him many years be- fore. I received from John the sad intelligence that Lydia Markham’s father had suffered serious financial reverses, and that the family were struggling for bare existence. ) ‘«<T see what you are thinking about, old mau,’ he said, with a pleasant smile. ‘Let us do it tomorrow.’ ‘«* Agreed,’ was my reply. } ‘‘T wrote my letter that night. A letter full of love and tenderness and containing an offer of marriage. I went to his office the following morning. He was ready. ‘Together we walked to the post box on the corner and de- posited our letters. ‘‘T took up my duties at the hospital at once, and for a week waited Gomicbooks (S(0)