Argosy: The Short Story Magazine — page 94: what you’re looking at

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

~~ =e = - sa be ans é, eer ye ie 3 Klake - ~ eee eS Ow Riel Cot Pe» ete SS ee le Paty > Sw. “ on oY a 7. - _ a 17 ie _ 4 —— — a PaaS Pa El pets en See re ey a ay a 4 ; re Saal res 04 - DAVID BEATY Everything outside was still quite quiet. The minutes dragged by. Every now and then Olivarez said, “‘ If only they’d hurry! ” Suddenly there was a slight whispering. At first, it sounded so like the wind that Olivarez’s eyes widened in fear. , Then there was a shout. A huge cry of joy. The invisible mountains round the bay echoed it back, increasing the strength of its gladness. The noise careered into the sky. A little group of flimsy human beings were defiantly roaring out in triumph at their victory over Felicity. Kelston peered over Olivarez’s shoulder. Out in the blackness of the harbour mouth a cluster of red, green, and white lights glowed together like a little coloured constellation. * 'They’re in,’ Olivarez said breathlessly. A searchlight on the end of the quay picked out the Santa Lucinda. Her broken foremast hung down over her bows. She was listing to port as though hunched up in pain. The tugs were gushing great clouds of smoke from their funnels. Now they were so near they seemed to be pulling at her harder. The Santa Lucinda bobbed up and down in an effort to do her best for them. They dashed down the corridor. The crowd had now swarmed to the brink of the water. Karena threw her arms round Olivarez. ** See, Carlos. ‘They are all right now.’? ‘Then she turned to Kelston and smiled. ‘‘ Safe home again.” ‘You know everyone on board? ”’ . ‘ Everyone.” They stood side by side, while Olivarez now chattered with the families, gesticulating and happy. ‘The steamer grew bigger. They could see men on her decks waving their hands above their heads. Ropes were flung out to her from the bollards. Kelston said, “‘ She’s not too badly knocked about.” The girl kept silent. Glancing down at her, he saw the tears on her face. A little embarrassed, he turned away. But for a fraction of a second, their eyes had met. He looked at the muddy pools round their shoes. It was sud- denly important that he should let her know that he wasn’t being tactful or polite or unfeeling. He reached out into the darkness and took her hand. Her fingers felt icy-cold. There seemed no point in saying anything. He felt he had, after all, made himself understood. ‘The wind had started again. The rain was beginning to bang at the tin roofs of the warehouses. With their wet hands clasped together, they watched the Santa Lucinda bump gently against the rubber tyres that were strung along the end of the granite quay. * * * A LEAN TIME As the Leaning Tower said to Big Ben, “ If you have the time, I have the inclination.” comic books.conn