Argosy, Vol. 1 (1882) — page 187: what you’re looking at

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

178 and I—well, poor I, am the mariner’s needle.” He raised his eyes to hers and caught sight of Ravenscroft. For a moment he paused irresolutely. Then he stepped forward and put out his hand. “ Ah! cousin,” he said, “I hardly looked to see you here.” He dropped his voice, but the caution was unneces- sary, for Jean had left them; “ have you ‘not reconsidered your decision—are you still bound for the North?” “Yes,” answered the other simply. Vaughan, as if reluctant to sever the lifelong tie that bound them, slowly dropped the hand he held. “Then, henceforth our paths are di- vided—but one word in parting— Jean?” “ She will not listen to reason.” Vaughan laughed softly. ‘“T can scarcely blame her,” he said. “ She told me, just before you came, that she never wished to see my face again.” Vaughan laid his hand on the other’s shoulder. ‘We are sworn enemies,” he said smiling, “ or will be in a few moments —but let me give you a word of com- fort in parting—a woman’s heart 1s a strange bit of mechanism and she often does not understand its workings her- self.” “ Then you think she cares for me?” asked Ravenscroft eagerly. Aye! ver- ily, love is greater than war. “T don’t know; her ladyship is such an uncertain damsel and she does not carry her heart on her sleeve, you know.” Peyton sighed. “ But you, Vaughan —how is 1t with you?” As he spoke he looked deep into the clear depths of the other’s eyes, as if he would read their secrets. They met his without a quiver of the eyelids. “ With me it is all serene,” answered Vaughan. There was a pause; then Ravenscroft picked up his soft riding hat. THE ARGOSY. “ Good by,” he called out. He spoke to Vaughan, but he looked longingly towards the bowed windows of the house: “ Wait,” whispered Richard in his ear. He stepped into the parlor where the girl stood arranging flowers. ‘‘ Jean,” he said, “ Peyton is leaving; are you not going to say “ good by’ to him? ” “ No,” she replied, viciously snap- ping the thorns off a refractory rose. “ Why not?” She raised her eyebrows in surprise. “Ts it necessary to ask?” “But, Jean, think—he is cousin; until now he has been your friend; at least he will always be your lover.” “IT doubt it. Men are uncertain and they tell me the girls of the North are far from unattractive.” “Jean, you are unjust.” “ Have you turned John Alden? Why must you plead his suit? ” “Because you are biased—preju- diced—you do not see clearly, you will not listen to him—because he is my _ friend.” ~ Your friend?” “ Always!” “But he is a detestable Yankee! ” The girl tapped the toe of her boot on the floor impatiently. Vaughan smiled. ‘ What a little rebel it is, to be sure,” he said, address- ing the crimson rose on the mantel. Miss Ravensctoft did not move. Vaughan went up to her. “ Jean,” he said, “ let him see that we of the South are generous as well as loyal; show him that we can be wom- anly and manly as well as brave.” She hesitated. “What do you want me to do?” she asked. | “ You are going to come with me,” he said, leading her gently toward the door; “ you are going to place your hand in his and smile as you did before this trouble came, and let him carry COM your ElOOO eo