Argosy, Vol. 1 (1882) — page 147: what you’re looking at

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

138 He sprang to his feet, seized his hat, and before Clarita realized what he in- tended to do, was half way to the door, calling out as he went: ‘“T’ve got you now, Miss Rita, and don’t you forget it. Felix said you wouldn’t say yes, and you have. He wants you himself—Lord, how he wants you, and I have stolen a march on him. He won't get you. I’ve got you, and what’s more, I’m going to keep you.” With a loud cry, she leaped to her feet and started after him, calling wildly for him to return; but he only laughed, and increased his speed, darting down the stairs instead of waiting for the elevator, and she heard him close the front door behind him as he went out. Then, still quivering with excitement and anger, she returned to the parlor, threw herself upon the sofa, and burst into a passion of weeping. “Tt was a trick—a_ trick,” she moaned. “I am not bound by it. I will not be bound by it.” Then she wept again ; and in the mean time, Pike Millington had leaped into his coupé, still laughing, for he was immensely pleased with the trick he had played. “ T think I have fixed that all right,” he said aloud, addressing himself, and he continued to chuckle all the way home. He was still chuckling when he en- tered the presence of Felix Parsons, but he offered no word of explanation for his merriment, except to say: “Tm laughing to think that my bones aren't broken, after all.”’ CHAPTER XXV. “GOD BLESS THAT CABLE CAR.” THE early morning mail brought a letter for Felix. It was written in Spanish, and translated, it contained these words: DEAR FELIX: I am at home. Something very terrible has happened. I must see you at once. Come to me the moment you receive this. RITA. THE ARGOSY. . “ Hello,” said Millington, who saw him reading it and suspected who it was from. “ Got a letter?” “ Yes; from Rita. She says that she is in trouble.” “Trouble! She didn’t seem to be in any trouble last night.” “Last night! Did you see her kast night? ” “Yes. I called there.” “ May I ask why you waited till this morning to tell me about it? You must have known of my anxiety.” “ Known that you were anxious? What about? ” Felix bit his lip with vexation. For the moment he had forgotten that Pike knew nothing of Clarita’s flight. “Was it your call there that gave you so much amusement when you re- turned?” he asked, coldly. ‘ It wasn’t amusement; it was hap- piness. I asked Rita to be my wife, and she said yes.” Felix Parsons started back as though he had been struck by a bullet; but he recovered himself instantly, and then, very calmly, he extended the letter he had just received towards Pike. “In that case,” he said, “it is your place and not mine to reply to this letter.” “ Not much, old man. The letter is addressed to you. You must answer it. Does she want yqu to go up and see her? ” 66 Yes.” “Then go; only wait till the gov- ernor has been here and gone. I'll have to crawl back into bed again, won’t I? But before I do it, I will just write a short note which I will ask you to give to Miss Rita, only I don’t want you to give it to her until you have had your talk out. Will you do me that favor? ” Ti Yes.” ° Millington wrote the letter, and, after repeating his injunction that it should not be delivered until after the other’s interview with Rita was concluded, gave it to Felix. Then he got back into bed, replaced his bandages, darkened CONMUCWOOKS 1(GO