The Argosy — page 88: what you’re looking at

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

78 The Missing Rubies. ing candour. ‘“ And, really, I don’t quite see why I am compelled to receive Mr. Redburn and any acquaintances he may force upon me!” ““¢Thy father’s friend forget not,’” said Godwin, kissing the lips that were inclined to pout. ‘Learn to be more a woman of the world, my child, and make the most of every advantage. This old man means to do you some kindness. Why are you not grateful ?” ‘* Because I am not a woman of the world, I suppose ; that’s the reason why.” “T see you don’t want to know Miss Lindrick,” he said softly ; “and honestly, I don’t fancy that you two women will ever get on together. Even if you were cast upon a desert island, side by side, you would never become friends.” ‘¢ There is no need for us to become friends, is there, Godwin?” she asked, looking up at him. “Not friends; but I am afraid you must make up your mind to receive her as an acquaintance. It would be wrong, dear, to snub anyone who is introduced to you by Mr. Redburn.” ‘But Mr. Redburn is not my guardian. He has no control over me.” ‘““No; but he comes to you as your father’s .old friend, ready to love you for that father’s sake. If Captain Ward had lived, he would have demanded consideration for his friend, would he not?” “Yes,” admitted Beatrice, reluctantly. ‘You know, from his letters, how greatly he esteemed Mr. Redburn. Is it not your duty to act as you would have acted had your father been alive? I am sure your own heart must tell you that it is.” “My conscience speaks plainly enough,” said Beatrice, with a smile that came unwillingly. ‘It says that I ought to look upon Mr. Redburn as a sort of uncle or godfather sent me by providence ! And instead of entertaining an unchristian prejudice against Miss Lindrick, I ought to ” The sentence was never finished. Godwin stopped her lips with half-a-dozen kisses ; and then began to laugh at the curious fatality that was bringing his first love and his second love together. “Why do you laugh ?” demanded Beatrice. ‘ Seriously, Godwin, I have a feeling that it would have been better for us if Mr. Red- burn had stayed in India. And as to old loves and new loves, I think they do well to keep apart. I’m not jealous; I know you love me best of all, and I am thoroughly convinced that I’m a nicer girl than she ever was! But the simple truth is,. that I don’t like anything which brings a change into this happy life of ours.” ‘“‘ There will be no change,” he hastened to say. “‘That’s what you can’t tell Mr. Redburn actually assumed an air of proprietorship at our first meeting. He will be insufferable if he goes on and pretends that he has got to manage my life for me.” comicbooks.com