The Argosy for May — page 172: what you’re looking at

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

PPS: EA insisted Elizabeth. ‘‘ You are a wonder- ful man. I can’t compare with you. I am nothing but a girl of average abil- ity; while you, you are a genius.” “TI! <A genius? I’m nothing of the sort,” protested Grant. ‘You're too modest. But there’s one thing I admire about you.” ‘Look here, little girl, what put it into your head that I am a genius?” ‘““Why, you did yourself! And you didn’t want to let me knowgall the won- derful things you can do.” “T don’t as yet quite understand,” said Grant. ‘“T know all about you,” continued the other. “‘ All about your novels and your musical compositions, and your real estate.” “Oh,” exclaimed Grant, as the full meaning of her words dawned upon him. “Yes,” she continued, “I must say that you used original tactics. The others were not willing to go on their own merits, but were obliged to resort - to artificial methods to attract me. But you, on the contrary, concealed from me your true identity; and if walls had not ears, I should not have been the wiser.” She threw both arms around his neck in an impulsive, girlish manner, and added : “Vou’re the finest man I’ve ever met.” Grant disengaged himself from her embrace, and, taking her two hands in his, looked her -full in the eyes. “ Girlie,’ he said, “I’m afraid your estimate of me will change when you realize what ‘ original methods’ I used.” A peculiar smile came over his glow- ing face. 3 ‘““T have no excuse to make for my actions,’ he added. “I throw myself absolutely on youf mercy.” Elizabeth looked at him- with a puz- zled expression. “Why, what do you mean?” she asked. 4 ‘Simply this,” replied Grant. “ I saw the mistakes that all these other fellows had made in trying to win you; and, realizing the fact that you were not to be dazzled by hollow pretension, and also knowing that you are not the ordi- nary type of girl, I determined that it was the man himself who would count most in your esteem. Acting on that MAN. 309 supposition, and, at the same time, play- ing ‘square’ with my friend Hudson, who did realize that walls have ears, I decided to reverse the usual order of procedure. “Instead of posing as a genius, and trying to carry out the bluff, I simply appeared as myself, a person of no ac- complishments whatever—only a young business man who has yet to make his mark in the world. You are the only girl 1 ever cared for. What you think of me now, I don’t.know; but I ask you again, will you be my wife?” Grant stood before her, with strength showing in every muscle, and honesty and determination in his face, as the boat neared the shore. Elizabeth did not hesitate a moment. She placed her hands in his. “Your power of discernment did not mislead you,” she said. “It is the man who has won my heart and hand.” “Do you really mean it?” exclaimed. Grant,. hardly crediting his senses. For an answer, Elizabeth looked at him with a glance the meaning of which he could not fail to read. At this mo- ment the sail swept around, hiding them from the view of those on the shore; and Grant held her in his arms for one brief moment, while their lips met. V. Hupson was the first person to greet them as they stepped ashore. His pri- mary inquiry was: “ Well, have you settled the ques- tion?” “Yes, old man, the great question has been settled; and you are the first one to offer congratulations!” « ‘ What?” exclaimed Hudson. . “Tt’s the truth, Hudson; I’ve won,” answered Grant, taking Elizabeth’s hand. Hudson proved equal to the situation, and promptly extended his felicitations: Then, in a mischievous way, he asked: ‘“ Do you think she is beautiful now?” “TI never thought otherwise, from the moment I first saw her,’ answered Grant, as the three strolled toward Mrs. Wakefield, who, comfortably seated on the beach, was reading a book which was none other than “The Green of the Seah 1OOOL< (©)