Argosy, Vol. 120, No. 1 — page 130: what you’re looking at

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

120 I saw you,” he whispered, “ but I have kissed no one else since last I kissed you. I haven’t wanted to,” he said. ‘‘ I swear it.” Still she was not convinced. ‘“‘ What about Noanita?” she inquired. ‘* She is dead,” he said, sadly, and added: ‘* She gave her life to save mine.” _ “You loved her!” Judith persisted. i “T did not. “I have never loved any one except you. I never will love any one else. Don’t you believe me?” At first she would not reply, but finally, from the security of his arms, she whis- pered: ‘“ My heart believes you—but my head—”’ - He interrupted: ‘‘ Then you have a very wicked head, but I will fill it with new thoughts: First, you: must get rid of all the old ugly ones!” He paused, but impul- sively resumed: ‘ You have got to marry me now! I’m going to take you away from this court. That’s one thing that’s the mat- ter—’’ a ‘“‘ Not so fast,” she cried. “‘ I haven’t said _ that I would marry you. Besides, there is a lot for you to explain.” “And for you, too,” he expostulated, gently, “ but I trust you.” ‘What do you mean?” she demanded, sharply. “Don’t you suppose I have long since heard all the gossipy tales—the king this and the king that, and Dona Judith is so and so—and—” | . “ Well?” Judith demanded. ‘‘¥ never for a moment suspected any- thing.” . _ “ Why?” she interrupted. ‘ “ Because once you told me—that was in the days before you became such a grand jady—that no matter what happened, you were always mine. Do you remember?”’ She nodded. ‘“‘ Arthur, you make. me ashamed,” she cried, ‘‘ but—but—well, you have got a lot to explain.” They settled themselves in the embrasure of one of the tall windows, and talked for a iong, long time. They considered their af- fairs from every angle, and finally arrived at a decision. The immediate effect of this was their seeking an audience with the queen. : THE ARGOSY. To Judith’s surprise, she found that Isa- bella agreed with her in all things. ““He is much too handsome to be al- lowed to roam alone,” the queen said, and smiled wisely. “Besides, as you say, you have been betrothed for almost four years. It really is time you were being married.” ‘“‘T never intend to suffer again, as I did this afternoon,” Judith declared. The queen smiled. ° “‘ Are you really determined to settle in the Indies?” Isabella inquired doubtingly, when this part of their plan had been re- vealed to her. ‘* Yes,” the young man replied* ‘‘T love it there, and I am sure that Dona Judith will also—”’ Judith interrupted: “I forbid you to love anything except me,” she admonished. “ But I do wish to go out to these new lands with him,” she announced, turning to the queen. | Arthur had already decided upon some- thing else that he was going to do before he left Spain, but he did not reveal this just yet. He had undertaken enough for the next few hours. That very night, through the queen’s assistance, a hurried wedding was solemnized in the royal chapel. Arthur Lake and Judith Merton were married! - Isabella had kept her word—at the first opportunity she had contrived for her young friend to wed the man of her choice. | There seemed an almost scandalous haste about the way in which her majesty dis- charged her promise. But she*probably had her own reasons; certainly she pleased Fer- dinand by her speed. Yes, he was really overjoyed when he heard what had taken place, and this was scarcely to have been expected considering that he still looked with longing eyes upon the young bride. CHAPTER XLVII. SESECA’S LAST CARD. NEXT morning all the palace heard this news, and also that of the arrival of Columbus, at Cadiz! The admiral had been accompanied by his accuser, Aguado, and a host of diseased and discouraged men a ae COMIC OO S C@