The Argosy — page 61: what you’re looking at

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

48 Stephanie. “T have no right to be angry,” he said. ‘‘I am only fearful. Gowanham cannot do without you.” The gentle, troubled heart beat a little sadly. “If Gowanham cannot do without me, God will take care of me,” she said, in a soft, half whisper. Months passed before the dreadful epidemic died entirely away. During the weeks of suffering, Steenie Bright did her work so well and bravely that even her nearest friends wondered. ‘The slender young figure passed from house to house, and from bedside to bedside, an almost angelic presence. It seemed that, in truth,Gowanham could not afford to lose her, for the scourge never fell, even lightly, upon her, though she grew paler and thinner, with her labour and watching. And her work brought forth double fruit, though she was quite uncon- scious of it. There was one man, who, in his self-enforced labour, looked on at her with a sting of conscience sometimes too hard to bear. Hers was the work of love; his a cold, bought sacrifice ; and he had been weary of it before he had taken it into his hands. His earnestness was so great a mockery, hers so fair a truth. | She was very quiet in those days, he noticed, and there was often a shadow on her once bright face. She was tired out, and well she might be, he told himself. It never occurred to him that she might have other cause for sadness. But good, motherly Mrs. Denham became anxious, and accused her of being ill; and at last, one night, when she came in, took possession of her, and kept her prisoner. ‘‘TIf you were anyone else but Steenie Bright, I should say you had a little secret, and were not quite happy,” she said; ‘but I know — Steenie Bright so well that I am sure she is only weak and worn out. There, my dear, you must not think of stirring. You are going to sit in the Rector’s chair, and drink the tea I bring you, and do nothing but watch the fire until you fall asleep.” So Steenie was obliged to submit, after a weak protest, to which Mrs. Denham replied by kissing her, with tears in her eyes ; and when later in the evening Kenneth Dart came in, he found her lying in the Rector’s chair, wrapped in a big shawl, and fast asleep, hmenthyng softly ; the pale, sweet face drooping upon the cushions. Mrs. Denham had been called out, so he went to the hearth, and stood there regarding the girl witha new feeling of unrest. He was ill himself, weary, and broken down ; indeed, he had feared more than once during the day, that his turn had come at length. Perhaps the unconscious intensity of his gaze had some magnetic influence, for, in the midst of his reverie, Steenie stirred, and the next instant her eyes opened full upon him as he watched her. She gave him a faint, sweet smile, but did not stir. ‘Mr. Dart!” she said. ‘When did youcome in? Do you want to see Mrs. Denham ?” | ) Gomicbooks.co