Argosy All-Story Weekly — page 168: what you’re looking at

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

194 Her eyes alone were frightened. “The past is the—past, Flaubert.” “Then, there is the village gossip.” “ The village?” “They whisper about me, Adéle, and credit me with having traffic with the devil himself!” “ That is childish, Flaubert!” “It would not prevent their jumping to conclusions if—” He regarded her grave- ly. “Ido not wish to frighten you, Adéle, but you must see the danger that I run in helping you and Raymond. Suppose my skill should not avail? Suppose that the drug which so speedily cured Jean Saucier should fail me? They know I have no reason to love Raymond—that is bold to say, but what would you? They might even accuse me—” He shrugged his shoulders, “Flaubert, how monstrous!” “That may be. But there it is. for yourself—”’ She said impulsively: ‘I will always -be your friend and stand by you, whatever comes. I will know you did your best.” Her eyes filled; her lips moved in prayer for the young husband of hers inside. “ Come, Flaubert, we are wasting time, and he is low.” “Do not let that alarm you too greatly. I know these cases—they linger. The morn- ing will be plenty of time for the first dose of the drug. Besides, I must assure you, in the hearing of madame, that I can do nothing; that it is best to await the coming of the doctor. Then, first thing in the morn- ing, you must drive in. I shall be away from the store, and known to be so. Tell Joseph that you had left an order for a box of the usual digestive tablets that your mother takes. The drug will be put up in usual fashion, and in a parcel awaiting you with your name, along with similar orders. Be careful not to mix them—these special tablets with the other—they are precious. Then if I should fail—it is, I admit, a far cry, for I have great faith in the cure, which is my own discovery—the village gossips cannot bring rumor and accusation against me. There, do not fear—I have every confidence; but you see the risk Irun. Ah, T see you do not trust me!” “Oh, but I do, Flaubert!” she said quick- As ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. ly. “It is the least 1 can do to repay you, to safeguard your name with the stupid- heads of the village.” He said slowly, smiling at her: ‘“ You forget—there is the other part of the pay- ment.” “* But yes?” _ “Tt is payment in the coin of friendship, Adele.” “ Why, Flaubert, how can I be anything but a friend to you, after this? Raymond also, when in due time he knows.”’ Deschesnes shook his head. ‘“* Raymond never liked me, Adéle—per- haps with reason—and so when his star was in the ascendant with you, my poor comet dashed earthward — void!” He paused, continuing with a sad inflection: “It is hard to be denied love, Adéle; it is still harder that, on top of this disaster, one should also lose friendship. I am lonely here, Adéle, and care not a flick of a finger for these ignorant folk; but your friendship I need. That is the price, Adéle—not money, for I would not accept a cent; but friendship—a little ounce of friendship out of your affection for Raymond. The day after to-morrow, Adéle, when the doctor comes; if Raymond is better, as assuredly he will be after the administration of the drug, I ask only that you bring me your thanks in person. How I have longed for an evening with music as we used to have! My fiddle has grown idle, because I have not often cared to touch it—since you left me for him. Is it too much to ask that you come and play all the old favorites for me—just one quiet evening together, to ce- ment and seal this friendship of which I speak?” ‘“‘ But—so soon,” she protested. ‘ Oh, I could not leave him. . When he is bet- ter—” “ He will not let you come,” said Flau- bert, a harsh note creeping into his voice. “Or, at best, he will come with you. I want one of our old times—alone—just the two of us, and Mme. Bedard in the house to observe the proprieties, though she need not know. It is wise, of course, no one should know. You can come alone, giving excuse that you must visit one or two friends, and bidding the boy meet you with Eomrcbooks:Eo