The Argosy — page 208: what you’re looking at

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

Lady Valeria. Igl Hester and Edric lingered awhile on the landing, watching the little procession depart out into the night; Elsie, in her white gown, looking like a little phantom in the June moonlight, beside Aunt Mamie’s stalwart dark figure. Edric thought he would tell Hester about Elsie’s appeal. It came natural to tell Hester everything that happened somehow. ‘They seemed to have been friends of quite old standing by this time. Aunt Mamie’s return prevented him. “Misr Poynter, sah! Dis fo’ you.” And she extended a silver salver to him. On it lay something loosely folded in a piece of soft Japanese silk. Not made into a parcel, only wrapped in a few loose twists, as if for temporary concealment. “For me?” said Edric, looking at it with wonder and sudden unaccountable distaste. ‘‘ What can it be?” He took it from the salver, and his question was answered as his fingers closed on it. Through all the soft yellow folds his fingers could distinguish the hard curve and cruel point of the Tiger’s Claw! He loosed his hold of the silk, and something fell glittering down to Hester’s feet. Before he could prevent her, she had stooped and picked it up. ‘‘ What is this?” she asked, and then as she raised her eyes to his face he saw that she knew. ““Pusson out dar gimme him, Miss Hester. Wait fo’ de ansah, sah !” ‘Say I will come,” spoke Edric, and Aunt Mamie departed. He almost snatched the token from Hester’s hand. ‘‘The end of the story has come, you see,” he said, forcing a laugh. ‘‘ Now [I shall look for the fulfilment of your prophecies.” “Don’t go!” broke from Hester’s lips in spite of herself; ‘“‘ or let someone go with you. I don’t like it # “Nor do I,” replied Edric, standing frowning and drawing the yellow handkerchief through and through his hands. A subtle, dead-sweet perfume exhaled from it. With an exclamation of disgust, he threw it down and shook his fingers as if to clear them of the clinging odour. Then he suddenly picked it up again. “Tl not leave that ugly trace behind me. Faugh! What a hateful scent! No, I don’t like it either, Miss Archdale. I’d much rather stay here for the rest of the evening. But it’s got to be done, don’t you see? I won’t try to say good-bye to Mrs. Damien. Tell her—anything ; I leave it to you te He was unconsciously holding her slim brown fingers in his as he spoke. ‘“‘ I’m frightened,” she whispered, as she drew them away. ‘“Why? It’s quite respectably early in the evening yet, not eleven ! And don’t you think I can take care of myself? ll come and tell you all about it.” And he ran lightly down the staircase, turning on the last step to smile a cheery farewell. (Zo be continued. ) CORnniclboooks (CO) im