The Argosy — page 344: what you’re looking at

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

The Mystery of Allan Grale. 323 You and I both know what is the matter with her,” he added, bitterly. ‘Tt is only sorrow and misery.” “Well,” said Agnes, ‘that is why she will get better now. She knows the worst. It was a blow to discover how ready the world is to lightly accuse. But the pain of that will pass. Knowing your innocence g “Stay, Agnes,” he interrupted. ‘‘Am I entitled to feel that any- body in this world can £zoz my innocence ?”’ “Ves,” cried Agnes, ‘‘ because they know you.” He stood still, under the shadow of the trees, and faced her. “Good men,” he said, ‘‘men far better than I have ever been— could ever be—have yet fallen into sudden sin and crime.” “Ves, Edgar, that may be,” she said, using his Christian name, which she had not done lately. “That may be—might be—though I cannot recall an instance. But such men would not cover their fall with silence for months. ‘They would not shrink from the truth, and they would never deny it when the accusation came.” “But people may well feel that I have shrunk from the truth, and have been guilty of evasion. I could not speak out at once, as I might have done. Why, even your father ” he paused with quivering lip. “T know you too well to doubt,” Agnes repeated. “I am sure I do. Edgar, is there nobody, think you, who can imagine that the shrinking and evasion may be for Allan’s sake, and not for your own. For his sake, and partly for Maria’s sake?” “ God bless you, Agnes,” said Edgar, fervently. He slackened his pace a little, for they were nearing the lodge, and perhaps he yearned to defer their parting. Should you not take a longer walk in the delicious air of this lovely evening ?” asked Agnes, with the divine courage of womanhood in ministration. ‘‘ How long it is since you have been to see us! And Lettice will be going away soon. I know papa is at home to- night, and he will be pleased to see you.” The young man shrank a little. ‘I will come down to your place very soon,” he said. ‘‘ But not now—not with you. Do you know what the people call me ?” She looked at him, her strong helpful love glowing in her eyes. ‘‘I do,” she answered ; then paused and spoke. mC ome,” Without a word, he went. It was to him asa queen’s command. Agnes felt herself trembling with excitement, but outwardly she was perfectly cool and bright. “You used to be very severe upon me. You did not spare my idleness and my failures,” saidthe young man. ‘‘ How can you take my part so resolutely now?” — “Perhaps I was too severe,” she answered softly ; ‘and yet—no.” “You were not,” he said decidedly. ‘No, Agnes, no. Only how COMICOOOKS.€