The Argosy — page 75: what you’re looking at

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

Richard Van Werter. 65 It was Gertrude Van Werter's voice that roused him, and Gertrude herself stood looking down at him with a smile on her fair face. He laughed as he rose to his feet. ‘“* How many more are coming, Miss Van Werter? ” “None. Richard has gone into town to hospital, and I ran away from the rest.” ‘Thank you very much for so doing,” he said as she took her seat. “It’s not quite six o’clock yet. We have two hours at least.” She looked up with a little laugh. ‘ Not quite, Mr. Gilbert ; there is to be a dance at the house to-night, you remember, and I must have time to dress. Promise me that, or I’ll not go.” . ‘* T promise,” he said, as she half rose; ‘“‘anything you like, only stay.” And she sat down again, leaning over the side of the boat and gazing into the water as they glided from the shore. Seen by daylight, Gertrude Van Werter’s face was not perfect by any means, and Roy Gilbert, watching her attentively as she sat in that hstless, graceful attitude, her arms folded on the side of the boat, and her face turned slightly away from him, wondered what it was about her that had attracted him at the first, and what it was that made him feel towards her as he did. Her features were faultlessly regular, and so far lovely ; but she was pale and cold-looking. It was only when she spoke that one saw her at her best—then the faint flush which came to her cheeks and her wonderful smile transfigured her completely. ‘“* T always feel when Miss Van Werter speaks,” said a young gentle- man, describing her to a friend, ‘‘as Pygmalion must have felt when his statue came to life ;” and that was precisely the effect she always produced. ‘TI can’t understand it,” said Roy to himself; but when she looked up and smiled at him, he did not wish to understand it: he was only content to have it so. ‘* How strange it is that the lilies will not stay open all the time!” she said. ‘‘They are but morning flowers. Why are you so silent, Mr. Gilbert? You scarcely have spoken to me. Are you vexed?” “ Pardon me if I have been unsociable,” he answered. “ I was think- ing.” ‘* Of what were you thinking? Tell me.” “T will,” he answered, after a moment's pause. “I was wondering, Miss Van Werter, why it was that I love you.” A crimson tide surged over her face for a moment, dyeing it even to her bright hair; and then she turned away almost coldly. ‘ Thank you again for your candour. Let us go back now.” “Gertrude!” Something in the voice—something in the earnest face beside her made the proud head droop, and the white eyelids veil the blue eyes. “I have never loved any woman as’ Tove you !—\ ou 3} can Save me or ruin me with one word. Do youcare forme?” . _., F VOL. XV.