The Argosy — page 24: what you’re looking at

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

216 THE ARGOSY. passed through the ordeal without betraying my emotion, except when I took Lydia’s hand to congratulate her. ‘“My own shook as with palsy, and I could not meet her eyes. She said something in reply, and I wandered aimlessly away and lost myself among the guests. “You did splendidly,’ was John’s remark upon finding me, later on, in the garden. 3 “ “Oh, Iam all over it now, John,’ I answered reassuringly, and in as calm a tone as I could command. ‘ Put it all out of your head forever, old man. You are my brother, and she is your wife. You understand me, don’t you?’ — . 5 ‘“ While they were away upon their wedding journey, I secured the place I lately occupied at the Samaritan Hospital in this city. I had intended to leave before they returned, but was unable to close up my affairs in time. John was to bring his wifeto his father’s house, and as I had continued to live there just as when we were boys together, I had not the heart to meet her daily, ‘‘ They arrived in the evening just as we were rising from dinner, and pleading an important case at the hospital, I excused myself after the first — salutations were over. ‘“ About ten o’clock John called for me. ‘“*T could not wait for you to come,’ he said warmly. ‘ I wanted to see you and talk with you alone. Henry, I was never so happy in my life.’ ‘“T had nerved myself for this, and, without a trace of deeper feeling, as- sured him of my pleasure in his happiness. ‘We lighted our cigars and walked home together, his armin mine. I was so far recovered that I even reveled with him in his unbounded joy, glad and thankful that the two I loved most on earth were happy. ‘We paused upon the doorstep to take a last whiff of our cigars before casting them away. ‘The door was wide open behind us, as it was late in the spring and the night was mild. The hall gas was burning faintly when we arrived. : ; ‘‘ ‘Henry,’ said John proudly, ‘let me congratulate you on your success in hiding your trouble so well. You are every inch the man I always knew you,’ “Tt is buried forever, John,’ I answered, although I felt the words thickening on my tongue. ‘ We mailed the letters of the same day and at the same moment. She had her choice, and I am glad she is happy.’ ‘* “Yes, she herself made the choice between us, Henry, but had she chosen you instead of me, you would still remain as you are tonight—my closest friend and brother.’ “There was the sound of a half stifled exclamation behind us. We turned in time to see Lydia rising blindly from the wide seat of the hall stand, a look of surprise and horror everspreading her beautiful features. She seemed endeavoring to speak, while one jeweled hand clutched convul- sively at her fair white throat. She staggered toward us a moment, gasped incoherently, once or twice, and then fell fainting into John’s arms. GEomicbooks (S)