The Argosy — page 42: what you’re looking at

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

A Girl's Folly. 29 fancy these sunsets must be given to us as a faint reflex—though I suppose that’s the wrong word—of what we shall find in Heaven ; given to us by God to turn our thoughts and hopes towards it. Oh, Alison ! it is more than beautiful !” The ruby flame was changing to a soft and brilliant rose-colour, inexpressibly lovely. It was indeed a rather remarkable sunset; one not often vouchsafed to human eye. ‘You make quite sure of going to Heaven, Tom!” she exclaimed, in a flippant tone. For she wanted to ward off all serious con- versation, lest he should begin to lecture. Thomas Watkyn turned his eyes upon her, surprise, if not reproof, in their depths. ‘I hope I am,” he answered, ‘‘ under God.” ‘Young people do not often think of these things.” ‘The young die as well as the old, child ; remember that.” “Won't you come in, Thomas?” she asked, in a softened voice, as they presently strolled up the path, and he halted in the porch. ‘‘Not this evening, Alison. What I have to say I will say here.” Alison flushed to the roots of her wavy hair, and moved a step or two away from him. “Took!” she cried, pointing to the blazing western sky, ‘that bank of golden clouds is changing to crimson now.” He went forward, for he had already sat down, and looked again at the gorgeous panorama. *‘ Ves, it is, as I say, a glorious sunset. We may never see another like it on this side of eternity,” he added, dreamily, seeming to lose himself in solemn thoughts. Alison laughed—her little musical laugh that had often set his pulses beating wildly. ‘*‘ You are always looking at the dark side of things, Tom. I hope we shall yet watch many a sunset together. “Do you really, Alison ? ” “Why, of course we must see the sunsets if we live,” she returned, in a hard, matter-of-fact tone. ‘‘ As we are neighbours we may likely see some of them in company.” ‘That was all, was it! Sit down, Alison.” *“T prefer to stand.” Nevertheless Mr. Watkyn drew her somewhat peremptorily to his side and made her sit down on the bench. ‘ What I want to say to you, Alison, is about young Vavasour.” | Oh indeed !” she retorted. I do not like to see you make yourself a simpleton with that man ; { will not see it: for, if you continue to do it, I shall say farewell to you, and not trouble this side of our grounds again.” Alison’s face turned white; a habit it had when she was startled Or very angry; and the remaining softness faded out of her heart, just as the golden glow was beginning to fade out of the western sky. *«Simpleton !—do you call me? Thank you.” CORNICOOOKS EO mn