The Argosy, Vol. XXV, No. 3 — page 111: what you’re looking at

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

THE FIRST KISS. 495 | ‘“Tam just the man who is going to try,’’ I replied, in an excellent manner of coolness. ‘‘I must have that key, Captain Macshiel.”’ ‘“Certainly,’’ he grinned. ‘‘ Anything else at the same time? ”’ ‘‘ Simply that I wish you to remain quiet while I effect my friend’s release.’’ ‘“Oh, very well,’’ said he, turning to open one of the short drawers of his locker. ‘‘ Anything to oblige you. Wouldn’t you like some of the men to lend a hand? ”’ Now, it may be taken for granted that I, knowing my man, had watched him closely, so that when I saw him turn to the locker I instinctively ~ guessed for what reason. ‘Therefore I laid my hand on his arm. ‘“Y cannot allow you to open that locker, Captain Macshiel.’’ Under other conditions the surprise in his face might have been considered comical. Now it was the comicality of a grinning death’s head. ‘By God !’’ he sputtered, and almost before I was aware of it he flew at me. His thin, sinewy fingers curled themselves round my throat, and had I not flung myself back with an extraordinary jerk, fetching him, meanwhile, a smashing blow in the face, I verily believe he would have choked me. As it was I freed my neck of his clutch, and met his rush with some degree of judgment. The tussle that followed was extremely sharp while it lasted, the fortunes of either varying with every moment; but as we fell together his head came in contact with the sharp point of the curved arm of the settee, and he rolled over on his face with a low moan. A hasty examination showed me that though he bled somewhat profusely he was only stunned ; so I lifted him on to his bunk, took down the key of the storeroom, went out, and locked him in. Carlton Dawe. (TO BE CONTINUED. ) THE FIRST KISS. It took so long to say good by ; The curtains were half drawn, and I— For once I seemed to hesitate, _She looked so pleased to have me wait ; And so we let the minutes fly. The hours just then were all awry : ‘Tis early yet,’’ Lheard her sigh. The clock responded—“‘ It is late!’ It took so long. Now there was no one near to spy A maiden and her lover shy. Ah, well! Ican’t quite demonstrate Just how her lips met mine. ’T was fate ! Love's first, sweet kiss, and that is why It took so long ! Felix Carmen. Gomicbooks (S©)