The Argosy — page 329: what you’re looking at

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

312 In the Mist. nothing to be heard but the wash of the incoming waves upon the rocks. Where was Winnifred P When I put the question in a faltering voice, and laid my hand upon his arm, he slowly turned his head and looked at me. I trust I may never again see on a human face the expression his wore at that moment—the speechless horror and despair which seemed to petrify every feature. He tried to answer, but no sound came from his white lips. He mutely pointed down to the beach. ‘““Great heaven!” I gasped, ‘‘you do not mean that you—that she has fallen over?” He inclined his head. ‘‘'We were standing on the path close to the edge,” he began, in a low hoarse whisper. ‘I tried to force the ring upon her; she resisted and struggled to get her hand away. I loosed it suddenly— so suddenly that she staggered backwards, and—and before I could prevent it, she ——” His voice broke; a shudder ran through him from head to foot. He threw up his hands with a wild despairing gesture. “T have killed her—I that would have died for her! I have killed her—my love, my darling! Well, it is but a step to join her.” In another moment he would, in the frenzy of despair and re- morse, have thrown himself over the cliff, but I seized his arm and dragged him back by main force. As I did so, young Borlace came hurrying up, out of breath. ‘“‘What has happened?” he panted. ‘I heard a cry ——” ‘There has been a terrible accident,” I began, and in a few hurried words told him all. He stared at me with an expression of incredulous horror, then turned his eyes on Noel Tremaine. “ An accident?” he repeated slowly. ‘‘ Was it an accident ?” Tremaine started, and raised his head. Their eyes met, and for a moment they looked at each other as if under a spell. ‘““Good heavens—you cannot believe that I intended ” Noel began, but reading the other’s dark suspicion only too plainly in his face, he left the sentence unfinished, and turned abruptly away. “That is a shameful insinuation,” I cried warmly. ‘‘ You know that Tremaine loved her too well to ——” ‘‘T know that he threatened her life this afternoon,” interrupted Borlace; ‘‘let him deny it if he can.” Noel looked round. Huis face had frozen into a strange quietude. “T do not deny it. It is true.” ‘And a moment ago I heard you say that you had killed her.” “But not intentionally!” I exclaimed; ‘it was an accident. Tremaine—speak! defend yourself from this shocking accusation, Do not let it be supposed that you are—a murderer !” He shuddered, and covered his eyes with his hand. “TI feel like COMIC LOOKS, (E00)