The Argosy — page 340: what you’re looking at

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

Her One Chance: and H1s. 319 ‘* Katherine ! ” he murmured softly—and then his face came nearer, bent closer, and for a single moment he drew her head down on his shoulder, and pressed his lips to hers. ‘Don’t, Reginald,” she faintly cried, drawing away and standing erect before him. ‘It was a great temptation, but my better angel was with me and I have conquered. What you ask can never be— do you not see what treachery we should both be guilty of—I especially? It has been very pleasant here, pleasanter, I dare say, than any time for me will ever be again, but to-night ends it.” “Can you be so cruel!” he burst forth, his eyes filling. “You may think me cruel now, but you will know better in time, and then you may thank me. Perhaps in the days to come, when you and Dot are a happy husband and wife, you will invite me to stay a week with you. But I shall never come here before that. We will say good-bye now—and I thank you for all, Reginald.” Some feeling in his own heart told him she was right. He clasped her to him with a great sob, and took another kiss from her lips. And so, the next day, Katherine Maverick went away——back to the dreary school, with the good wishes of Dot and all her friends, but with a lonesome, weary ache in her heart. *‘T shall never forget you,” breathed Reginald, as he saw her into the carriage; “you might have made my life’s sunshine, Katherine.” She smiled faintly as she waved her hand to him in the distance. ‘“‘It was my one chance,” she thought again: ‘but I am thankful my resolution held out, not to take it. And now for Purgatory!” She had been back in Purgatory only a week or two, when one morning a servant came to the class-room with a message: A gentle- man had called to see Miss Maverick. Very much surprised,.Katherine, pencil in hand, and black-stuff apron on—as all the teachers were required to wear—went to the parlour, and saw Mr. Sarmiento. He had come to ask her to be governess to his little daughter. * Oh, I should like it; I know I should like it,” she said, her face beaming with pleasure. ‘“ But I’m afraid —— ” © Afraid of what ?” asked Mr. Sarmiento, smiling. *¢T do not think Miss Poole will release me.” ‘Supposing Miss Poole does release you—is it what. will suit you ? —what you deem yourself fitted for—the charge of one little girl?” *‘T truly think so,” answered Katherine. “She is rather a rebellious child and requires firm management. My good old aunt, who lives with me, and has much indulged her; confesses that Emma Is getting beyond her control. But dear Aunt Rachel is just as mild as milk, and Emma knows that quite well.” “T do not fear being able to train her,” spoke Miss Maverick, with a beaming face. ‘I shall begin by making her love me.” «Just so; make her love you,” returned Mr. Sarmiento in a pleased tone. “I need not say, Miss Maverick, that you will be entirely as GOnnlGaooks (©)