The Argosy, June 1904 — page 20: what you’re looking at

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

006 my own error,” Lynn returned, flush- ing, and then tnglebock entered and there was no further Spposumunyy lor conversation ol a private nature. The captain simply bowed to Lynn When he saw him, and replied to Ber- the’s querics about his health with much gravity. The American sought to read his face, but it was a mask which told nothime, Ilad the two men been left alone Lynn would have sounded Engicbock regarding his present fecling towards him. But he feared the worst from the man’s silence. Lynn had saved his life. He must know that. Yet he gave no mark of gratitude, nor did he display any more friendliness toward the younger man than he had when they first met. Mrs. Hawley entered the room be- fore Bertha removed the tray to Mary Shaw’s apartment, and the breaktast began in a most funereal style. Thev were half through the meal before any interruption occurred. Then Jackson Ylawley fairly burst into the place, and, rather to Lynn’s astonishment, he brought Chris Greg- ory with him. The smith’s face was very red, and his little eyes sparkled angrily as he stood just within the door and gazed upon Lynn. ‘The latter knew at once that the storin was about to break, and, considering the state of mind in which Mr. Hawley appeared to be, the Amer- ican was glad that Miss Bertha was not present, “What is the matter, Mr. Hawley? ” ericd his wife, startled out of her usual complacency. “JT have brought a gentleman to breal <fast—a friend of Mr. Orrin Lever- ing.” stammered the smith, evidently trying hard to contain himself. “ Mr. Christopher yregory, Mrs. Hawley. Captain Englebock, | Mr. Gregory.” Then he turned his eves again on Lynn, “This know ?” Chris. “Sturest thing you know!” returned the other unabashed. ‘“ Mornin’, Lynn! Heard you wouldmt keep still yester- day after that runaway, but had to ventleman he questioned you say the you smiling PRODUCED BY UNZ.ORG (©) THE ARGOSY. save somebody clse from difficulty. Youll be getting a medal for life-say- ing yet, old map,” and he laughed fatly. Jackson Hawley broke in with tense tone: “ You call this gentleman Lynn now, Mr. Gregory. You called him by another name just a while back.” “Why, said Gregory with apparently ‘ the utmost innoeence, “I told you Lynn Shepard and J were old friends. Brought up in the same town. Always known each other,’ and he cackled again. But he did not look at Lynn while he spoke. There was something hard in that young man’s face that was not pleasant to see. “So he is Mr. Lynn Shepard, hey?” exclahned the smith. “ Will you ex- plain this masquerade, Mr. Shepard? ” “fT shall be pleased to,” said Lynn, rising. “I endeavored to explain it to Captain Englebock last evening—was doing so, in fact, when that landslide carricd us over the sand cliff. I am sorry that knowledge of my Innocent subterfuge should come to your ears in this manner - “Tnnocent subterfuge!” repeated Hawley in disgust. “ You have a very mild name, sir, for worming your way into my confidence.” “ Pardon me,” Lynn observed, stand- ing very straight and leveling an angry gaze upon his host. “I have not wormed my way into your confidence— your present words show that. If I had your confidence, Mr. Hawley, you would not so quickly believe ill of my intentions.” “Do you mean to deny,” cried Haw- ley, who was rapidly working himselt into a.passion, “ that you came to Peb- bleton under an assumed name, struck up an acquaintance with my family— even rode about the country with my daughter, by Heaven!—and all by keeping your right name secret?” “You know well how I came to be known to your daughter and to your- self, sir,” interposed Lynn. “ T know that chance ‘play ed into your hands, sir!” declared Hawley. “ ‘And only for chance this morning I would not shave learned what a villain you are.” “Have a care how you speak to me, NOOO ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED