The Argosy — page 174: what you’re looking at

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

Heads or Tails ? 159 ‘‘ A race is never won until it’s over, that’s a certainty ; but Iam not going to turn prophet.” “ Well, I will come down and see it, if you will promise me to win.” “That 1s a big bribe to offer any fellow, but I accept it!” A sudden silence fell upon them both, and muchas she had enjoyed her paddle it was with a feeling of relief that Violet espied the boat- house just ahead, where the business of landing and of putting away the canoe, completely unloosed their tongues and dispelled all shy- ness. Still Violet could not forget the feeling which had come over her, of having stepped dangerously near the edge of some unknown depths, and for the future she determined to avoid as much as possible solitary expeditions with Dick Hamilton. As for Dick he returned home in the highest spirits, and with the natural confidence of his sanguine nature, indulged in the belief that his prize was already won. But in the afternoon Cecil had his innings when he escorted Violet Danvers to listen to the service at Magdalen Chapel; he had only been able (he said) to obtain two tickets necessary for admission, and nobody demurred at their starting off alone together. The verger placed Violet in one of the big stalls, and Cecil took care to seat himself in a favourable position opposite. In the beautiful, dimly-lighted chapel, listening to the soft strains of the organist, the musical intonation of the chaplain, and the unique perfection of the singing of the choristers, Violet forgot the joyous, active, noisy world, in which Dick Hamilton so exclusively rejoiced, and for the present lived in a shadowland of strange yearnings and unsatisfied desires. When the service was over the two lingered in the ante-chapel listening to the voluntary, and, it may be, silently enjoying each other’s society, whilst Violet made up her mind that she was in quite as much danger with Cecil as with Dick. And thus the days passed on. First, Dick would arrange a sailing expedition upon the floods which covered the meadows bordering the ‘‘upper river;” and then Cecil would bring home tickets for the inaugural lecture of the new Slade _ professor. “'Thoygh,” he said ruefully, ‘‘ what can we expect but disappointment after Ruskin?” Another day Dick carried off Violet to watch an Association football match in the Parks, which she found rather dull work ; but Cecil capped this treat by taking her to the meeting of an amateur string quartette, which she found duller still! Meanwhile, each of the brothers was perfectly content in the firm belief that he was to be the happy winner of the coveted prize. Of course it was very wrong indeed of Violet thus to trifle with their feelings, but what was she to do when she could not tell her own mind? It was no pleasure to her to vacillate between two magnets, and she would have been a great deal more at her ease if only her love affairs were satisfactorily settled ; but though the decision rested entirely with herself, she was altogether unable to make it. GOMIGIOOKSHGO