The Argosy — page 39: what you’re looking at

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

Monsieur Silvain’s Sccret. 29 Too much moved to speak, Renée laid her hand on his. “The dear little charitable hand—how often I have longed to kiss it!” he murmured. ‘I may do so now, may I not?” and with the ghost of his old gallant manner he raised it to his lips. ‘“I-.told you I should keep your silver piece for good luck,” he continued, more faintly ; ‘ see—here it is.” He showed it to her strung round his neck. “My poor friend—it has brought you misfortune instead !” she murmured tremulously. ‘ But for me, you would not be ” “Hush,” he interrupted gently ; “what better fortune can I have than to save your life and secure your happiness? Renée, you will find a parcel in my desk, directed to yourself. I restore your gift, dear—as I meant to have done—if I had lived. There is no obstacle now between you--and—your lover. God bless you both. How dark it grows—and cold! Do not be sorry for me, dear—I am quite content,” he concluded, with a tranquil smile. A sudden shiver ran through him, and there was a change in his face. Then he drew a deep quiet breath. “Quite content,” he repeated ; and with the smile on his lips he died. A month later, when the first faint flowers of early spring were blooming on the old musician’s grave, Renée and Maurice were married. On the afternoon of their wedding-day, before starting on their journey into Normandy, they crossed the Pont Neuf once more, to pay a last visit to “‘Ptre Joyeux’s” old haunt, and paused for a moment in the recess where he had been used to stand. The stream of life flowed past them, ‘ ever changing never ceasing,” like the river beneath, which the mellow sunset light had transformed into a flood of molten gold. ‘*T am glad no one has taken his place,” Renée said softly, after a moment ; “it vould seem almost like desecration. I fancy I can still hear the sound of his violin! It was like a friendly voice to me in those dark days which are past.” Maurice looked down at her tenderly. ‘‘They were dark days indeed, my sweet wife, but now that the sunshine is come, it seems all the brighter for the shadows we have passed through.” Renée glanced upwards at the luminous primrose sky, unflecked by a cloud from zenith to horizon. ‘*Yes,” she answered, with a happy smile ; “* Sorrow endured for a night, but joy has come with the morning !’” comicbooks.com