The Argosy, Vol. 90 No. 1 — page 179: what you’re looking at

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

THE FIFTH “T am not displeased, but I—I am dis- tressed!’’ Willa stammered through stiff- ened lips. ‘ You think because I accepted the name and the fortune of the grand- father I never knew, and apparently for- got the old life and all that dad had done for me, that I am jusc coldly mercenary! You think I am that sore, ambitious and pushing and soulless! I thought you knew and understood me, I thought that we were friends!” “That, I hope we shall always be,” he said gently. ‘It would have been quix- otic, absurd for you to refuse the golden opportunity when it came. I did not think of that, nor did I believe you mercenary. I did not mean to whine about my failure, either; it was the chance of fortune and I have lost. “ You will forgive my having spoken. I had to tell you! I could not keep silent any longer. It was as if you all uncon- sciously were twisting the heart from my breast. You could not help it if you want- ed to, you are so sweet, so wonderful! Please don’t be sorry for me, either. It is the greatest thing that ever happened to me, and I shall be glad of it always, even when I have to stand aside and see you turn to a better, bigger man. No matter what happens, I shall, all my life through, be at your service.” “Oh, I am not the least bit sorry for you!” Willa cried. ‘I am exasperated with you! Do you suppose I am the sort of woman to care what a man has, rather than what he is? Am I a painted, pam- pered doll that I must be approached with gifts and sweets and dangled before the highest bidder? My mother married the man she loved, and starved with him, and died working to take care of his child! Am I less a woman than she?”’ “ Willa!” He breathed her name in a fervent whisper. ‘ Willa, look at me!” She raised her blazing eyes and the flame died to a soft luminous glow, while the rich color mantled to her brow. “Willa, do you mean that you care, really? Oh, I vowed I would not ask you until I had proved myself worthy, and now, when everything is at a standstill, an impassé, and you yourself have warned me ACE. 173 of the impossibility of winning out in my plan for the future, I—I forget all my resolutions. “Tt is unfair for me to speak now, it is not playing the game, but will you tell me at least that you won’t be displeased with me if sometime I come to you, when I have won the right? I will ask no promise now, IT cannot, but if I could know that you cared ever so little—” “How can you know if—if you don’t ask?’’ Willa’s downright honesty had got- ten the better of her timidity, and with characteristic fearlessness she disclosed all that was in her own wildly throbbing heart. “{Y don’t know how a man could prove himself more worthy of any woman than by taking his life in his hands on a hun- dred to one chance of saving hers! I don’t know what difference the loss or finding of the Pool makes in the happiness of you and me. Go ahead and make a martyr of yourself over your silly pride if you want to! “Tf I thought you didn’t care, that you were just trying to carry on the ghastly game they call flirtation up here, I wouldn’t be so angry with you. Willa Murdaugh down inside of me, and you know it! I’m just Gentleman Geoff’s Billie, a waif raised by the greatest-hearted man that ever lived; but I’ve got some pride myself. I don’t want any man who hasn’t spunk enough to ask me!” “ Willa! Oh, my dearest, will you—” “Here comes Winnie Mason!” She drew her hands from his and sprang up with a nervous tinkle of laughter. “ That means we've missed three dances, and you were to have had two of them with Angie! You'll be in for a dreadful panning—”’ “You wicked little-—adorable little— girl o’ mine!” he exclaimed softly, as Win- nie’s mildly inquiring face appeared around a narrow alley between the close-packed flowering plants. ‘I’m coming to-mor- row, before breakfast—” Willa shook her head, the light waning in her eyes. ‘No, not to-morrow, Kearn. There is something that I must do; something I cannot put aside even—even for you.” “In the evening, then? I must see you oO Comicbooe I’m not S CO