The Argosy — page 162: what you’re looking at

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

loy’s Good Samaritan. 147 in her hand a large bunch of Saffronia roses. One nestled at her throat, its delicate hue contrasting finely with its dark foliage. Geoff, as he gravely greeted her, glanced jealously at the privileged flower, but his heart sank within him. Was she not going to church on this his last Sunday? He ventured to inquire. “Oh, yes. But first I want to visit the cemetery. It is still early, I believe ; you will have time to look in upon Lady Lucy.” Geoff, however, managed to make his visit as short as possible, for he, too, had resolved to take the cemetery on his way. Perhaps he might overtake Mrs. Beaudesert, and secure a few more words to treasure up in his memory when he had looked his last upon her. But when he presently reached the peaceful God’s-acre, there was no trace to be seen of Roy’s Good Samaritan but a handful of fresh Saffronia roses upon his, as yet, unmarked grave. Soshe had not yet ceased her tender charities! Her kindly feeling it seemed extended itself to all the world but him. What was this unaccountable prejudice which came as a shadow between them? While he lingered—for it was a pleasure now even to haunt the place where her feet had so lately trodden— and puzzled over the problem for the fiftieth time, something lying on the ground, half hidden by the flowers, attracted his attention. He stooped and picked up a small hymn-book bound in red calf, which he had often seen in Mrs. Beaudesert’s hand. He opened it and looked on the fly-leaf for the owner’s name. Yes, there it was: ‘Una Bevan, from her dear father, June, 1877.” * Una Bevan!” A light flashed upon Pierrepoint. The mystery was explained, the vague haunting remembrance, the prejudice, the strange avoidance, the old friendship with Roy! And with the revelation came a sudden awakening as he realised with a keen sensation of mingled joy and shame, that he had followed in his cousin’s footsteps. His long unscathed heart was touched at last, and by that self-same Una Bevan whom in the days of her blithe girlhood he had put to such painful humiliation. What hope remained to him! Looking across the barrier which his own hand had raised between them, he knew that he loved—and loved in vain. LEY. Mrs. BEAUDESERT’S salon, au premier, boasted a stone balcony over- looking the Mediterranean, which was a favourite haunt of hers. This afternoon she sat with her book, alternately reading and musing, as she lifted her eyes now and again to the peaceful scene before her. It was the closing day of the Carnival : she felt absolutely secure from interruption in her retreat, and was, therefore, mildly surprised when a visiting card was brought to her, promptly followed by its owner, Colonel Pierrepoint. CORnNICOOOKS.EO mn