The Argosy — page 242: what you’re looking at

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

Seventecn. 225 “Am I?” said I—‘‘ that’s because it’s summer.” Rose did not look less wistful after that explanation. My content- ment evidently worried her. We sat chatting for a little while longer, then she rose and went back to the house, leaving me alone. I said I should follow in a minute, but the minute passed and I did not go. Half an hour passed; I was still there. I forgot my sewing. It dropped on the grass beside me. I clasped my hands behind my head, and leant back against the apple-tree and looked up, as Will had done, absently, at the patches of blue between the boughs. Rose was right—I was happy—very happy! Why should I not be happy P It was summer time, and no one scolded me if I freckled. Suddenly I started. Someone was speaking not far away :— “Of course, I know you do not mean anything, Will. But Nell may fancy you do. I think, for her sake, you ought to be careful.” The clear, ringing little voice came from the garden, just beyond the orchard wall. It was Rose who spoke. The lazy voice that answered was Will’s. ‘‘ Why for Zer sake?” he said. ‘You don’t think Nell is falling in love with me? . That’s not very likely, you know.” ‘ But indeed, Will, it zs likely. Nell quite changes when you are here. She brightens—she changes altogether ; I have noticed it.” “Does she? That is very sweet of her.” ‘Will, be serious.” “T am serious—profoundly so. What do you want me to do, Rose ?” ‘‘T want you to be more careful.” “Careful! Good gracious, Rose, I am careful! Careful? Why, { think of every word I say to her; I carefully reflect upon every sentence ; I never was so careful with anyone as I am in my inter- course with Nell. I plane out every atom of meaning from my voice and my words and my very looks. I should like you to tell me how I am to be more careful than I am.” The voices were growing fainter in the distance. But I caught what Rose said. ‘* Then you, too, have seen the danger ?” she asked. * What danger?” » “Of Nell’s mistaking " mo more. My hands were still clasping one another, in eareless, happy fashion, behind my head. I unclasped them. I sought about for my needlework. ‘The needle had slipped out and was lost in the long grass. I remember that I searched for it as though its loss were an important matter. At last I found it. ‘Then I went away slowly, homewards. The sky was as blue as ever. The sunshine was warm on the lawn, the birds were singing loudly ; in the house, every window was open, and the curtains waved lightly in the gentle breeze. It was stil summer. My heart was as cheerless as December. ” ‘Then the voices passed, and I heard VOL, XLIV. CoOmE"coookKks (S©)