The Argosy — page 15: what you’re looking at

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

Z Lady Valeria. likely to be offended, I think,” replied Edric, smiling kindly, touched as he always was by the soft, frightened manner and great pleading eyes, like those of some graceful wild creature that would come for a caress if it dared, shrinking and alluring, following and yet alert to fly if approached. ‘Vou are sure? Not if I seem dreadfully impertinent and inter- fering P” ‘Wants me to get Sampson made a corporal forthwith,” decided he. “Oh, Mr. Poynter, if you would only do what I ask you and go away !” was the unexpected sequel. “Go away ? Now? Oh, certainly. I beg your pardon for detaining you, but I understood you had something to say to me.” “ Away from here. From the camp. From your regiment, I mean. Not for long, but till it is safe for you to return. I can’t explain. I know how strange it must sound to you, but indeed, andeed TY must ask it. What caz I say to make you listen ?” She was in earnest, honest earnest, none but the most dense could have failed to see that. She was terrified out of her shyness and des- perate at the want of sympathy in his face. He looked merely stern and perplexed, hardly curious. The chairman had left them at a sign from her; the invalids had started on a stroll; they were alone together. She caught his hand in her tremulous hot fingers and held it in an eager beseeching clasp. “ Don’t, don’t go away without hearing me! I am telling the truth. There is mischief about. I cannot tell you how, but—save yourself! Oh, it is such a little thing Task! A few days—just what you would sive to some pleasure trip—and it is for your life—your life ! ” She was sobbing now in an agony of impatience at his silence, and Edric, horribly bothered as he was, could not deal as severely and sensibly with her as the model young man with his wits and his principles always at hand and in good working order should have done. He, it is to be regretted, thought first of consoling the poor silly little girl, and then of the consequences. “Don’t cry,” and he patted her shoulder affectionately with his spare hand. ‘‘ Why, what can it matter to you what becomes of me next week or the week after ? You dear, kind, ridiculous little woman ! Now look up and tell me all about it. Why am I in greater danger than anyone else? than your brother, for instance ?” ‘““T can’t explain!” she cried, despairingly. ‘I knew how it would be. You are very good to listen to me at all, but I can tell you nothing more.” ‘Well, it doesn’t matter, for as it happens I can’t go. I would have gone—I really would, and asked no questions—if it would have made you happy,” said the inconsiderate youth, ‘‘ but Ican’t. It’s a question of duty. I could not shirk ¢ha/, Elsie, at a mere hint of danger.” CORMICLOOOKSs.E@ im