Argosy, Vol. 1 (1882) — page 59: what you’re looking at

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

50 THE ARGOSY. “Why not make the break now, when we can gain a start?” He shook his head almost angrily. “This cabin is under surveillance every hour of the day.” ‘““How was it, when the three pre- cious scoundrels were about to give me the witch’s parole? You certainly had left the house then?” “Only for a short distance, and, 1f I had stayed away much longer, the widow would have signaled it in some way, and the hounds would have been on my track.” ‘‘ How about the daughter? ”’ “Tt 1s different perhaps with her—I think—that is I suspect Meg has formed some slight regard for me.” It was odd to see a flush show on Dick’s face as he uttered these words. “ But why in the name of the seven wonders did those three men show such a panic when you appeared on the scene today? ”’ “‘There’s an explanation, but let it wait till we have the time; there are more important nfatters to occupy us.” “ Dick,” I said impulsively, “ I have some reason to believe Zach Peters is friendly so far as I am concerned.” He turned those piercing black eyes on me and smiled. ‘There’s no call, shorty, for your playing crazy.” “T am not; I am in earnest and I have reason for my words.” “ What is it?” “] am afraid time 1s too precious to permit its telling; it is quite a story.” “ But it is important I should know —Sh!” Dick’s fine sense of hearing, trained to the acutest point by his illness and apprehension, detected the sound of the young woman’s returning foot- steps. He bounded from his chair, strode to the door and hastily drew it open. As he did so, he stood face to face with Meg Wickliffe. “Ah, ha, countess, hast thou seen aught of any strangers approaching the king’s gates?” “ None, O King,” moring his fancy. “ Didst thou look to the north and to the south, countess ? ”’ “I did, but saw no one.” “ Didst thou climb the rock beyond the path and turn thy lovely eyes to all points of the compass? ” “No; I didn’t know you wished ine to do that.” “*Twas an oversight, countess, for which I will pardon thee, if thou wilt make haste to repair thy neglect. I am expecting a visit of some princess and potentates from beyond Ethiopia. Mayhaps among them may be a gallant knight who will be smitten with thy graces. "I'would not be strange.” And he reached out and chucked the mountain maiden under the chin. Since he faced her his back was toward me. Once again, looking along the side of the young man the eyes of the girl and mine met. I dared to laugh quite heartily, though silently. “ T will make haste to do as you wish, O King,” said Meg, as much to escape my stare as to obey him. He looked after her until she had taken a few steps, when he closed the door, and, all alertness and restrained excitement, hurried back to me. “ There, we are safe for a few min- utes. She will do her work thoroughly and will not hasten back; mow let me hear that wonderful yarn of yours.” I gave the story as succinctly as I could. During the rapid narration, my friend did not once remove his pierc- ing gaze from my face. He was ab- sorbingly interested, but not con- vinced. “ How do you explain that witch’s parole he had arranged with you as the star performer ? ” ‘“T cannot fully explain it, but it may be he had some scheme in mind for getting me out of the scrape at the last moment.” Dick shook his head. “ Nothing of the kind; he 1s your deadliest enemy.” she replied, hu- ecomicooolKs eco