Argosy, Vol. 1 (1882) — page 278: what you’re looking at

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

FETTERED BY FREEDOM. that [I was his wife and Polly's mother.” Before Philip had time to reply or I to express quick condemnation of my daughter’s hasty action, a caller was announced and the subject ended ab- ruptly. It was absurd, unnatural, that a eroundiless quarrel, a mere misunder- standing, had been allowed to come to so tragic an ending; and I resolved, now that I knew the circumstances, that the last word had not yet been said. I did not dare to think of Philip. That he loved Elsa I did not doubt. What if she loved him? My heart, my sense of justice, my conscience were on Percy Armitage’s side. The next morning Elsa announced her intention of going to the city to make some necessary purchases. | felt relieved, for I thus gained a day. I was not ready yet to lay down a line of conduct for my daughter that might be as painful for her to follow as for me to enforce. She,returned be- fore the day was gone. There was a new expression in her face—one of quiet, concentrated happiness—and in her movements a quickness and light- ness that I had not seen for many a day. Polly was asleep, and sending Ka- trina away she took her place at the child’s side. She was sitting there in the twilight in an absorbed silence when Philip's card was brought. With a shy look she said, “‘ I cannot see him tonight. You see him, mother dear.” Her unusual manner roused my sus- picions and I exclaimed, ‘“ Elsa, I can- not—I know what he is going to ask me, Qh, Elsa, how can you permit him to ask me for you—you, Percy Armitage’s wife by every right in the sight of God and man.” “For me? What do you mean?” She laughed. “ Why, Philip does not want me, mother dear. Let Philip go. I have something to tell my mother that will make her very happy. I have 269 brought nothing but sorrow and anx- iety to youand Amy. But, with God’s help, I will make up for it in the future.” | she paused and, as if to gain cour- age, bent over and kissed her baby. ‘“ Mother, I have seen Percy. I saw him today. It was purely accidental. I went into a book shop fos a new pic- ture book for Polly. And there I saw Percy turning over some new publica- tions. ‘His back was toward me. He had not seen me. I don’t know what im- pelled me, but, as he stood there, tall, broad Shouldered, his fine head a little bent, he seemed to draw me to him as a leaf is drawn to a whirlpool. “I went up to him and stood beside him for a moment without a word. His hand hung at his side and I slipped mine into his. He started, and then, turning and seeing me, reeled against the book stand, white and trembling, but holding my hand fast—oh, so fast!” She caught her breath, and then, with her beautiful smile, said: “ It is all made up, mother dear. I think I ought to write to Amy tonight.” “What are you going to do with Philip? ” I asked, gravely. “ Philip, Philip—what has he to do with it? Oh, I see! You think Philip isin love with me. Well, dear, it is not your fault that he is not. But he knows that I have been loving Percy as hard as I could all this time. Oh. mother, we have such a joke on you! I think it 1s time to tell you our little ‘secret. “Philip loves Amy, but we were afraid to tell you because we saw that your heart was set on Philip’s caring for me. There is no use of your deny- ing it, and I am going to report you to your clergyman, my lady, as soon as we get home. You seemed so Satis- fied with the way things were going that we did not dare to tell you the truth. And we did not dare to tell Amy either, for we knev> thos sho yiaal CO