The Argosy — page 124: what you’re looking at

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

The White Witch. III ‘ Hush, mamma—for Heaven’s sake!” broke in the young girl in a voice of terror. Mrs. Mayne began to sob. Godfrey did not scruple to listen: the window was open and the words came out quite distinctly. He could not get away, there was that much to be said for him, without being heard and seen. He was standing in the flower-bed close under the wall, by the side of the window. “T tell you it is as much to your advantage as to mine that I should forget a little—if I can,” Mary continued, almost in a whisper. “Tf I go on living within myself I shall go mad, and then ” She stopped, with what sounded plainly like a fearful significance. “Don’t talk like that, child, or you will kill me,” sobbed Mrs. Mayne. ‘I do not wish to be hard to you; but yet—if you would only show a little heart !” “Take care, mamma, that you don’t show too much. Iam not so hard as you think; only, as I tell you, I must forget now and then: unless you wish me to die!” she ended passionately. *T ought not to have let you come here ; it but increases the risk. But Mr. Mayne was so resolute—and would have fetched you himself—and—and I did not know what to do for the safest. I thought, you see, Mary, that in coming here myself I was coming to a place of shelter; but somehow I am beginning to fear it may not prove so. If " * Hush, mamma, it will be all right,” repeated the girl, hastily. “You may trust me, you mzst¢ trust me, for [am young and I cannot live always like a statue; now I have grown stronger, all my old spirits come back in spite of myself, and of what you know. And if you see me enjoying myself sometimes in lightness, I do pray you to leave me alone; I tell you again that you may trust me.” ‘And I tell you, Mary, that it would be safer for us both if you put on your reserve of manner, and kept quiet within doors, instead of gadding about in public.” “I want more amusement sometimes than I can get indoors,” responded the girl, a wring of reproach in her words. ‘‘ You and Mr. Mayne are devoted to yourselves ; and that ill-mannered bear of a son of his does not please me. It is selfish of me to want it, I dare say ; but each of us must bear the burden in our own way. Don’t cry, mamma; don’t cry! Ido not want to cross your will ; but I must take some little good out of life while I can. Heaven knows it may not be for long.” Through all the reckless passion of her last words, her voice remained low, so that a portion of them Godfrey did not catch. But he had heard quite enough. The dressing-bell was ringing, and they both quitted the room, leaving him planted there, against the outer wall. (To be continued, ) CONMIEIOOKS (E(©) m