The Argosy — page 338: what you’re looking at

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

Her One Chance: and H1s. 317 pleasantest, his mind was on the rack. To be, or not to be, was the — momentous question he was always debating with himself. The leaves rustled gently in the cool night breeze ; beyond that, no sound was audible. ‘The cigar finished, Reginald folded his arms, and fell into a waking dream. Light footsteps aroused him from it. Miss Maverick was coming up the garden, her scarlet shawl folded round her shoulders over her white dress. ‘You out here!” exclaimed Reginald. Huis face, illumined by the moonlight, showed his delight more plainly than words could have done. ‘I was thinking how awfully solitary it was. Do sit down a minute ; here’s a chair.” “IT was so restless,” she answered, smiling, as she took the chair. “I think I must have felt like Herodias’ daughter—compelled to wander: and so I wrapped myself in this great shawl and went out. “What was it my aunt hinted at, during dinner—just a word or two—about your going away? What did it mean?” “T did not hear it. But I am going to-morrow.” “To-morrow!” echoed Reginald. ‘‘Was it purposely kept from me?” “It has not been ‘kept’ at all from you, that Iam aware of. I only knew it myself to-day.” ‘I thought you had another week to stay here?” ‘To-morrow is the day I am due. Mrs. Lanster wrote to Miss Poole to beg for another week for me, and had her answer this morn- ing—no, I must go back to my duties at the time appointed. Your good aunt did not tell me until just before dinner.” “Tt’s shameful !” cried Regy, much disturbed. “Tt is worse for me than for anybody else,” said poor Katherine. ** After all these pleasant days here to have to return to Purgatory ! ” “That’s a strong word,” said Reginald. She smiled faintly. ‘It 1s what the girls have christened the school. Shall you think of me sometimes when I am gone?” “Think of you!” repeated he with feeling, his young face pain- fully earnest. ‘‘ Katherine! must you veally go?” ‘Why, of course I must,” she answered, her own face full of pain. “You must not go.” “But I must go. What else can I do?” “You can marry me,” he replied, so suddenly that he was almost startled at himself. ‘‘I love you, Katherine, and you know it.” ‘No, no,” she whispered in agitation. “But I say Yes, yes. Katherine, you cannot ¢izzk of leaving me to despair. What would my life be worth to me now without you? Oh, my love, be mine!” She turned to him with an impulse of tenderness, took his hand and clasped it between both of hers. “You are very generous, Reginald, and I thank you; I thank you truly. But it must not be. Think of your family !” ‘Bother my family!” was the energetic response. ‘I want you EGOMIGIOOKS (C©)