The Argosy, June 1904 — page 22: what you’re looking at

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

008 Lynn gasped and turned his gaze upon the man. He could not for an in- stant believe his ears. “There, d’ye hear that?” cried Haw- ley, his voice cracking. “That's your brave man—that’s your courageous gentleman. What do you think of him? ” But Bertha did not even change color, for the flush had now come back into her face. The look of contempt she cast on TEnglebock should have withered that man where he stood. “And would you believe that cal- umny?” the gitl demanded. “ Cap- tain Englebock’s reason for such false- hood I cannot understand. But it can bear no weight with any logical mind. “Tf Mr. Shepard desired to throw him over the bluff, why did he injure himself—look at his hands!—and risk his own life further in saving Captain Iinglebock and carrying him to the top of the bank again?” “Ah,” erowled knows what he did? Wie has no wit- nesses. ‘There is nobody to assure us what he did, nor how much he saved the captain. Anybody can say he has done a thing when there is nobody to Hawley, “who see him.” “Be still, father!” the girl com- manded. “ Retain at least the sem- blanee of justice.” She crossed the room to Lynn’s side and laid her hands upon his arm. “ Remember, sir, that he is an old man, and that his temper has ridden away with him. Ife will be sorry——” “Never!” roared Jackson Hawley At the same moment Captain En- elebock swiftly reached Bertha’s side and drew her roughly away from the American. At that the latter's rage escaped all bounds. “Flow dare you lay your hand on that young woman?” he roared, wheel- ing on the seaman with all the devil in him looking out of his eyes. “ What right have you to interpose vourself be- tween us?” “The best right in de worlt, sir!” exclaimed Englebock. “What do vou mean? “JT mean to say, sir, aap this young THE ARGOSY. woman is my affianced wife—her fader haf give her to me long before. Now you know me what I mean!” returned the captain. Bertha uttered a little ery, and, fall- ing back from the group, covered her face with her hands. Lynn’s own fea- tures were like a ghost’s. Ne did not look at her. “Now, Mr. Lynn Shepard, will you get out of my house?” demanded the sinith. ‘We have had quite enough of you—and we have had enough of these hifalutin’? scenes. Begone, sit!” Lynn stood an instant longer, as though he had not heard. Then he walked quictly toward the door. The maid who had stood by and heard all this handed him his torn coat. We took it without seeing her. Then suddenly, as he reached the door, his gaze fixed itself upon Chris Gregory. Instantly a flame leaped into his face, and his eyes glowed with a rage which made that fat young man tremble. We said no word, but that look warned Chris not to cross his path again. It was a look that Chris would remember for many a day. Tlawiey was too small aman, and too enraged, to let the young man go in peace, however. Fle followed Lynn out into the hall, breathing threats of ven- eoance. IIe followed him out of the broad door and down the steps. Ile still pur- sucd hnn through the garden and into the dusty road, where Lynn went, bare- headed and with the coat over his arm, but without a word. The voung man was stunned. He had been driven out of Eden. But more fearful to him than the flaming sword which guarded the gate was the revela- tion of Englebock’s words. Ilis soul was withered. He had learned something to which the anger of Jackson Hawley was as a drop to the roaring sea. dertha Hawley was Englebock’s af- fianced bride. Hawley admitted it. Bertha did not deny it. And not until he heard these words had Lynn Shep- ard known how much he loved the girl. (To be continued.) PRODUCED BY UNZ.ORG Conn clooolkkS. com ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED