The Argosy — page 233: what you’re looking at

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

216 A Free-Will Offering. was always very good to her, too; quite as good as if she had been her own daughter. What’s Sara going to do, did you say? Why, nothing very particular. We shall be married, and then go into Italy immediately.” “Vou will be married—you and Sara—Miss Levison! Oh, but surely not? You are dreaming—it is impossible—so hurried, and so quite unnecessary.” The Major could scarcely find breath with which to speak, and hardly knew what he said. He felt a wild longing to seize Roger by the throat and strangle him on the spot. “Tt is neither impossible nor unnecessary, and I am not dream- ing,” replied the other, quite coolly. ‘‘On the contrary it is quite possible, and I deem it quite necessary, and I should think I knew how to take care of my cousin without anybody’s interference. We shall be married to-morrow morning, and leave mmmediately after- wards for Italy. The chaplain here knows all about us, and he has simplified matters for me.” | An unnatural calm, the birth of despair, fell upon the Major, and he spoke in a strangely quiet voice. “Can I not be of any use? May I not call and see Miss Levi- son and ask her if I may do anything for her ?” ‘* No, certainly not,” was the decisive answer. ‘‘ My cousin is not seeing anyone and does not want to be visited. But I will give her your compliments.” And turning, Roger Wilson went swiftly in at the door of his lodging and slammed it after him. Major Brown walked unprotestingly away. When he reached his hotel he passed straight out into the garden and sat down on the first bench. The July mid-day sun glared down on him with burning heat. Myriads of flies and gnats whirled round his head and buzzed in his ears, but he was quite unconscious of all physical discomfort. He sat immovable, trying to realise that one great impossible fact : Sara Levison was to marry her cousin Roger Wilson next morning. How long he remained out there in the garden he did not know. Loungers came and went; a little party of tourists ordered beer, and drank and smoked, within a couple of yards of him, but he was not even aware of their presence. At last he rose with a heavy sigh, and went indoors. | In the hall he met Roger Wilson. The young man looked shy and even sheepish. ‘“T have been looking for you, Major Brown,” he began awkwardly. ‘““T wanted you to do mea favour. It is well to be out of the way when a favour is wanted of one.” ‘But I have come into your way,” the Major responded briefly: ‘Yes, true. And it’s really more of a favour to Sara than to me.” Then looking round crossly at the knot of servants and visitors : ‘‘ Must we stand in the passage? Don’t they give you a smoking- room, here, or a reading-room or something ? ” CONNIE OOO KS Ao)