The Argosy — page 91: what you’re looking at

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

76 After Years of Waiting. “Certainly. I hope you appreciate my kindness. I waltz very rarely, you know.” “I do appreciate it: and now I must go down to that ‘ stupid old office,” as you call it, and make up for lost time. Good-morning, Millicent—don’t forget your promise,” and then he was gone. Gone, and unconscious, as he walked swiftly down the street, that Millicent Kathlane’s dark eyes were looking after him, and that when she turned back to her work, a soft sigh fluttered from her beautiful lips, anda shadow clouded her face. He had known her, as she said, since she was a little child; and he, a strong, rude lad, had loved the flower-faced little Miulli- cent dearly ; and when, at the age of eighteen, he had been sent away from his home to qualify himself to play a part in the work of life, it was with a secret determination to return after years had passed, and claim her. Although she was a child not a dozen years old, she had taken the warmest place in his warm heart for her own. Years passed by, and Rupert Thornbury worked hard and well, but the fortune he so ardently wished for never came. He was an honour- able man; and crushing his own heart back, he took his father’s burdens on his strong, young shoulders, and bore them bravely. Only once he faltered, and that was when, after scarcely six years had passed since he first went out into the world, news came to him that Millicent, his “little Milly,” was married. It was her father’s wish, the gossips said. Mr. Kathlane, the suitor, was immensely wealthy, and having been fascinated by Millicent’s beauty, her parents had used all their influence with her ; and the end was, she married. Millicent, now Mrs. Kathlane, went away to her husband’s home; and Rupert Thornbury wearily went on with his dull, distasteful labour, with not even the old boyish dream to lighten his task. Six years more passed slowly by, making many changes in the affairs of both. Mr. Kathlane died suddenly after two or three years of | married life, and Millicent went abroad with some friends. She had been back nearly a year now, and had settled down to a town life. During this period the old childish fmendship for Rupert Thornbury had been warmly renewed; and Rupert had discovered that, charming as she was in her childhood and girlhood, now that she was a woman she was infinitely more so. During this year, life had grown a great deal brighter to Mr. Thorn- bury ; he was prospering, slowly and steadily, and had gained many friends. Anxious mammas looked upon him with favour, and many bright eyes gave him bewitching glances; hitherto in vain. His whole > heart—and he knew it—was still with Millicent Kathlane: but her marriage had raised her, both as to wealth and position, so far above himself, that he did not, except at some fond, delusive moment, dare to Gomicbooks (E(0)