The Argosy — page 306: what you’re looking at

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

The Missing Rubies. 287 footsteps, she shivered and nestled among her cushions, feeling sick and chilled. She had had her day. Never again could she find the old sweetness in the cup of pleasure ; never again could she join the gay procession which includes only the frivolous in its numbers. She did not want any more earthly delights; above all other things she desired a refuge. She had ever clung to the faith of her country, and now, in this time of sore need, there rose before her eyes a vision of convent walls, of women with calm faces and quiet hearts, of unobtrusive works of charity and long hours of silent prayer. Was not this the life that was waiting for her? | Faint and weak, as if she had just risen from a bed of sickness, she got up slowly from the sofa, and locked herself into her chamber for the night. It was long before her eyes closed; long before she could forget, even for a moment, the stern faces and threatening voices of the men who had thirsted for her life. But at last slumber came, and brought her again that tranquil vision of retirement and peace. . Meanwhile, Vordenberg had gone quietly downstairs, and paused at the door of the Miltons’ sitting-room. It was now ten o’clock, but there was a sound of several people talking in the room. He knocked, and Harriet’s voice bade him come in. Richard Milton and Mr. Corder were sitting on the sofa in earnest talk. Harriet was seated close by, putting in an eager word now and then. And through the open French window could be seen Beatrice and Godwin, lingering in the moonlight among the ferns and flowers in the little yard, and telling each other the “old, old story ” all over again. Vordenberg came in among them with his quiet stop. The lovers, hearing his voice, hastened indoors. Every one looked at him expectantly, prepared for some new revelation. “Do you know what this is, Earle?” he asked, holding up some- thing red and sparkling. Beatrice, who had never seen it before in her life, pounced upon it with a little scream. Godwin took it out of her eager hands, and examined it with joy and bewilderment on his face. “I do know what it is,” he answered, slowly. ‘It is the stolen necklace.” . (To be continued. ) ~SEEOa COM @ NOOKS (CO) an