The Argosy — page 78: what you’re looking at

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

Ugly and Stupid. 65 more could they have heard his conversation with “ that plain girl in black.” For a moment Gertrude was silent, struggling with contending emotions, A sense of the absurdity of the thing, and a sense of pain together disposing her to be hysterical. She conquered it, though her eyes were filled with tears as she replied: “No, Mr. Hamilton; it cannot be. I do not love you.” ‘But you would learn to love me,” he urged. She shook her head. ‘‘It would be wrong. It is a temptation, for I am very lonely, but is “Then marry me,” he broke in eagerly. ‘‘I only ask for the right to devote myself to you. You would learn to love me. I will take the risk.” If only the fine ladies who ran after this fastidious young man and took such infinite pains to secure his favour could have heard him ! ‘‘ No,” said Gertrude. ‘It is not for these motives one should marry.” ‘Then she added, kindly: ‘‘ You are worthy of a better fate than to be married for the sake of your money. I hope you will find it some day.” He looked for a moment into her face, and knew it was hopeless. ‘Forgive me for having troubled you,” he said. ‘Only if ever you need a friend, think of me. I shall always deem it a privilege to serve you, no matter in how small a way. Will you remember this?” ‘T will remember,” she answered softly. ‘‘ Now, Good-bye.” “Will you come to the theatre to-night, Hamilton, and see this new star they are making such a fuss about P” And Arthur, who was staying for a day or two with a friend in New York, expressed his willingness to go anywhere his host wished to take him. As they were leaving the house, one of the children came flying down the stairs. ‘Mr. Hamilton, I have made you a buttonhole, please take it.” Arthur turned with a smile to the little maiden as she continued: “T have tied it up with blue ribbon, my doll’s best hair-ribbon.” Whereupon she produced an exquisite white rosebud and bit of fern, tied with a narrow piece of common ribbon. It was not an improve- ment to the bouquet, and had decidedly an odd appearance in Arthur’s coat. But Arthur was no longer the languid dandy he had once been. Handsome as ever, and considerably improved by the sensible, manly manner that had taken the place of his former affectation of perpetual boredom, he was a greater favourite than ever with the fair sex, but they received little encouragement to pet him now. To children he was always kind, and never for a moment dreamt of hurting this child’s feelings by rejecting the ribbon. He kissed the donor, and assured her he felt much flattered, The theatre was hot and crowded. Arthur was tired from travelling VOL, XXXIV, F ECOnniclooOoks (CO im