The Argosy — page 277: what you’re looking at

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

260 My Channel Passage. life to spare her pain. That will tell them nothing,” he went on aloud; ‘they do not know I am out of England.” I made no reply. It seemed intrusive to inquire further as I could suggest no remedy. His was indeed a hard case. After a short spell of silence, he left me and paced up and down the deck, scanning the horizon attentively from time to time. Charley settled himself fora nap. It was getting late now and the sky becoming cloudy and threatening. I heard someone say if we had rain it would bring down the wind. | It was a strange scene to my unaccustomed eyes. ‘There we lay, helpless and inert, tossed to and fro at the mercy of the winds and waves. Not a sail was in sight; not a puff of smoke: we seemed alone in the world. I was much impressed by it. My spirits, never — very buoyant, sank rapidly. Was it true, as the captain had main- tained, that there was no danger? Few of us, I imagine, had so . urgent a call as Captain Fortescue, but still, what terrible apprehen- sion Our non-appearance would cause in many a home. In my own case, I had little to fear. -My husband was in the north of England on business, and it was doubtful if he could return in time to meet me. Besides, he was not nervous or excitable, and would probably take my unpunctuality with equanimity. Walter was never frightened at anything, I was wont to say, and though I had often chafed at his insensibility, I was thankful for it now. But what would cousin Sophy say? I glanced at her boy, now sleeping placidly at my side. In the » is Seana he a a es —_ morning, when all was gay and bright around me, I had pictured a happy future for Charley. I was not so sure of it now. There were — lines about his mouth that showed a want of reliance and self-control, perhaps of sincerity. He needed the guidance of a firm hand, and that I feared he would not find. He would be but an insecure prop for his mother to lean upon. Still he was all she had, and if any harm came to him—I could not pursue that train of thought; it was too painful. I bent over him and lifted a dark curl from his fore- head. My touch, light as it was, roused him. ‘Bless you, no,” he said, irreverently, when I asked him if his mother would be anxious. ‘Don’t let that trouble you. The old lady won’t expect me, Mrs. Calvert ; I never come to my time. Ido it on principle; it saves her a deal of worry. If Z don’t turn up in time for my wedding, people will only say, ‘Just like Charley.’ I say, did you ever see such a thing,” he went on in a lower tone as Captain Fortescue passed us; ‘that fellow looks as if he were going to be hanged.” I have no experience of condemned criminals, but I could not en- dorse this description of Captain Fortescue. That he was suffering keenly was evident. I have, I think, a smaller share of curiosity in my composition than is given to most females, still I confess I should have liked to know the story of that young man’s life ; he interested ECOMmGIOOKS: COM)