Argosy, Vol. 1 (December 9, 1882) — page 163: what you’re looking at

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

156 _ ‘THE ARGOSY. ‘Are you sure on this point? ” asked Mr. Cavan. “ Absolutely sure, for it was the night after I left St. Paul, and I fix the time by that fact. You can see that it would be impossible for me to be mistaken,” continued Phil. ‘ I should say that it was; and perhaps you can prove what you say by wit- nesses if it becomes necessary to do so?” - “T think I could.” | ‘Where did you spend the night on which the break was made? ” “On the day after I] left 1 went on to Lake Minnetonka, and spent the day there, making a trip on the Hebe to Halsted’s Bay, and that afternoon I made an Offer for the steamer. I slept that night on board of the Hebe, by invita- tion of the person in charge of her, to whom I made the offer.” “That sounds like a clear statement, and that person is your witness if he did not leave you on board of the boat.” “He did not leave me, for he slept in the forward cabin with me, and we both turned out at five o’clock in the morning. Bashy will be willing to testify that I must have remained in the cabin all night, for we did not turn in till eleven o'clock. We were busy talking about the steamer I wanted to buy.” “Who is Bashy?” “ He is the engineer of the Hebe.” -~ “T can make nothing of these two stories, for each one contradicts the other,” said the agent, and he looked as though he were thoroughly per- plexed; and his visitor was 1n no better condition. “I am as much in the dark as you are, and [ can make nothing of it,” Phil went on. “If Mrs. Gayland were the only one who saw me, I could understand it better.” ‘“Mr. Gayland was as positive as his wife was,” continued Cavan, looking earnestly into the face of his visitor. “ Did it ever occur to you, Paul, that Mr. Gayland might be your father?” he asked, after a little hesitation. ‘It has occurred to me, for he has always treated me as well as the most affectionate father could treat a son; and there is something else which en- couraged this idea,” replied Phil. “What is that? It needs something stronger than the facts on the surface to account for his devotion to you,” added the agent. In answer to the question Phil took off his coat, stripped up his sleeve, and exhibited the letters on his arm. . “Pp. G.,” said the agent, reading the letters. “ They certainly stand for Paul Gayland.” “ But my foster father explains them by saying that he found them on my arm when he assumed the care of me in Nice, and he gave me the first name after one of his brothers.” ‘“ Nice?” “You have not heard the story of my adoption; and if you are not too sleepy, I will give it to you,” said Phil. “TI am wide awake, and I should be glad to hear it; for this is the biggest romance that I have met with in late years,” answered the agent, settling him- ‘ self into his armchair. GOH GoOOO (GO)