The Argosy — page 390: what you’re looking at

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

376 Lost Harimony. could see how little his thoughts followed my words, or his eyes took in the anxious questioning of mine. But when I had delivered Aunt Anna’s message, he stood so still that I knew I might add those few words of my own which I had made up my mind to say. ‘Weren't you glad to lose my worrying presence for a whole week, Herr Heinrich ? ” “Glad! Why?” ° My cheeks burned hotly in my angry pride, and my pulses began t to throb painfully. I could see my own face in the glass Opposite—eager, anxious, wistful. I could see his face before me, full of a great calm, a deep light shining in his dreamy eyes, and a tender look that was like a smile upon his lips. “I mean,” I said, and folded my hands upon the table to hide their trembling—the small, useless hands which had no affinity with the notes upon which his touch was magic. I mean,” and I came a little nearer now and looked wistfully into his face, ‘‘ did you—was I missed at all?” *“Missed? Of course. But then we knew you were enjoying your- self, and coming back in a few days.” Yes, it had been his thought, too. ‘‘But suppose,” I said, the words sounding very hopeful, though they were a little unsteady, “suppose I went away and did not come back.” ‘*¢ Ts it probable? ” I do not quite think he knew he had even asked the question, for I saw that he had grasped again the train of thought which I had broken. “It is very probable,” I said, with emphasis. He had his hand on the piano, but before he took his seat he turned and looked down kindly into my face. ‘In your friend’s house then you have met someone with whom you prefer to live.” The truth rushed to my lips so fiercely that I had hard work to keep it back. But I did more. Ts that all you have to say to me,” I asked, “on such a momentous matter ? ” ‘No. I would tell you how glad I am to hear of it, if it is likely to bring you happiness.” That was: all----uttered without a change of tone or face. While I stood wildly longing to ask him if he vea//y thought there could be any- one in all the world with whom I would rather live than with Aunt Anna and himself, he began to play. “Will you come, Herr Heinrich?” I put in, petulantly, the soft chords jarring on my evil, jealous temper. But he did not stop. The grand and touching melody, to which his soul had sung those wondrous words I had overheard him read, was finding voice for the first time, and what was my presence to him now? Longing to go away, longing GONMGIOO SS (CO)