The Argosy — page 76: what you’re looking at

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

56 Richard Van Werter. “Don’t!” she said, trying weakly to draw her hands away from his eager grasp. ‘‘ What would Richard say?” “Richard!” He turned away with that scornful repetition. “I forgot. You are engaged to him?” ‘‘No,” she answered simply. ‘“‘ Not engaged ; but it has always been expected that I should marry him: they all seem to expect it. He will be so harsh, so angry. Oh, Roy, what shall I do?” It was the first time she had ever called him by that name, though her cousins did frequently; and a triumphant look came into his eyes. ‘Gertrude, you need not answer me. I see it all. You love me.” The colour stole over her downcast face again, deeper than before. “Yes,” she answered softly, ‘I I am afraid it is true, Roy.” That night every one wondered at the change in Gertrude Van Werter—she seemed almost transfigured. Her usually cold and list- less manner was gone. She was bnght, sparkling, wonderfully fascinat- ing. ‘You almost frighten me,” said Roy, as, after a bewildering waltz, they stood for a moment in a curtained recess. ‘‘ You are so unreal to-night. What is it, darlirg ? Happiness ?” “Oh, Roy,” she answered, clinging to him, and looking up at him with a wonderful light in her eyes. “ Will it last?” ‘“T hope so. Nothing can come between us now, Gertrude.” The next day at dusk, Richard Van Werter came in, a wearied, worn expression upon his stern face. Gertrude felt a sudden pity as she looked at him. “You are tired,” she said as he joined her on the terrace. “ Have you been worrying over an obstinate patient, Richard ?” “No,” he answered briefly. And his face darkened as he saw Roy Gilbert in the garden below, and saw the look in Gertrude’s eyes as she returned his bow and smile. “I hate that man!” he said savagely. ‘¢ What does he do here so much? ” Gertrude turned away indifferently. ‘You are out of temper, Richard,” she said. ‘It is often so now. I will leave you to yourself.” “Stop!” he said fiercely. ‘‘I see what has happened. I cannot be mistaken. Gertrude, you have——” “T have promised to be Roy Gilbert’s wife,” she answered, feeling that it must be told. ‘‘ Let me go, Richard.” “You may go,” he said, dropping her arm, “ but will you take some- thing from me to your promised husband?” He put a little locket in her hand. “ Look at it,” he said, “ open it ””—and she did so. Touching a spring, a sweet, girlish face smiled up at her, and on the other side, beneath a ring of soft hair which glittered like spun gold, she saw the inscription, “ R. G. to Alice.” “Well?” said Richard, watching her narrowly. “Will: yow give‘ it him ? 3 ECORNICLOOO SS (C(O) in —_)