The Argosy — page 51: what you’re looking at

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

38 The Five Myr. Fyttons. Evelyn turned. She rose from her chair and walked a few steps down the terrace into the deeper shadow. ‘Tanfield followed. “Lawrence,” she said, ‘you have asked me a simple question and I will give you a simple answer. Be true and gentle with me, and I will love you all my life. And I would rather see us both dead this night than that our pennon should ever droop to half-mast high.” With a vow to keep and cherish her for ever, Tanfield caught her in his arms and passionately kissed her lips. She gently, oh so gently, returned his caress; but hers was given with all the concentration of her trusting womanhood, and his—ah ! his, I fear, was but half-mast high. For a time all went merry as a marriage bell. The old people were delighted (for Tanfield was a good match), and every prospect of happiness seemed spread before the young couple. But two such fiery natures could hardly be in daily intimacy but that tiffs and quarrels of a more or less serious character were bound to spring up between them. Especially was this true in the matter of riding, of which the girl was very fond. ‘Tanfield encouraged her in the matter, with one reservation. ‘There was a mare in the stable called ‘* Brenda,” thoroughbred, vicious, and intractable. To ride this mare was Evelyn O’Brien’s great delight. She was a splendid horsewoman, and the mare’s antics amused and exhilarated her. ‘Tanfield saw that, fortunate as she had been hitherto, a serious accident was in- evitable sooner or later, and in unmistakable terms he forbade her to mount the animal. “Plenty of time for obedience, Lawrence. I have not been through church doors yet,” she said. “Tam not demanding obedience, but only wish to ensure your safety. You cannot ride that mare without great risk.” “TI cannot ride, then? Thank you for nothing, my polite fiancé.” “IT say neither you nor any other living creature can ride her with safety. I say, moreover, that as long as I have any hold on you, you shall zot mount her.” “Any hold on me? And suppose I say you have none?” The young man shrugged his shoulders. ‘‘ That rests with you,” he replied. “With me?” “Ves, with you.” ‘‘’Then you have none. _ I hate inferference.” “T will take care never to interfere again. Good morning, Miss O’Brien.” He raised his hat, turned, and left her. For weeks after this episode she kept her thoughts proudly to herself, thinking how he would return penitent, or write a_heart- CORMICLIOOKS. © m