The Argosy, Christmas 1912 — page 88: what you’re looking at

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

74 “Tt was not to scold you I asked you to wait for the second trip in the launch. It was—a feeling that— Oh, I am not good at this sort of thing! What I wanted to say is ‘ Beware.’”’ ‘Speaking of my brother Mark? Or of Mr. Jolott? Or of your island king?” “The islander. Thank you for helping me along. You have aroused in him a feeling that was not to be un- expected. Please bear with me a mo- ment. You are very — you are very beautiful.” She laughed. “Are you speaking for Crusoe? Or are you trying to propose to me?” ‘Tam not trying to propose to you. You know that. But remember, you are the only young woman the islander has ever seen. What I want to say may seem almost brutal. I am sorry if it does. But I shall say it. You must be aware that I am speaking only in your own interests. Crusoe has given his heart to you. He would, at the present time, give you his soul — his life. But what will happen when he sees others?” “More fascinating than I?” “None could be. But he doesn’t know that. -Let me tell you, Miss San- derman, Crusoe, is mentally and phys- ically a giant. Yet he is a child.” Her face sobered at once, and she glanced at me with a woman’s look. ‘““T appreciate what you mean to say and cannot. Yet it would be impos- sible for me to overlook what he did. It was, if you wish me to acknowledge it, wrong. But it was splendid.” “T know it was,” I replied lamely. “Everything the fellow does is splen- did.” “ He is splendid.” I had not got anywhere. We slid alongside the boarding companion of the Vigilante, and I assisted her to the deck. Captain Delatouche greeted us. Mrs. Sanderman at once placed her arm around Alma’s waist, and Gordon Morley escorted them to a stateroom. Delatouche linked his arm in mine, and THE ARGOSY. rae we paced the deck. The lieutenant of the cruiser was getting undeg*way. I glanced at the Elvira. On boi yacht they were hoisting thé ‘zi ‘““ Dagwell,’”’ said Delatouche, “‘ you had a session somewhere in the forest that you have said little about. What happened? Where was the young air- ship man? By the way, we left his air-ship in the trees.” “Let it stay there. Yes, we had a session, all right. We agreed to keep it between ourselves, but there is no reason why you shouldn’t know. You have been eminently fair all the way through.” . Somebody had to balance Ra- vary’ s eagerness. I knew Nicasse.” “Joloff made a _ statement. He claims the air-ship the company has in Paris was made from Nicasse’s plans.” Delatouche stopped and took a silver cigar-holder from his pocket. “We will have breakfast soon. you smoke before you eat?”’ “This is scarcely like other morn- ings. I will smoke.” “Come to my stateroom.” It was a comfortable, even luxurious cabin to which he Jed me. “T would have your friend, Ordway. But he is busy with the islander. Now, tell me what happened to Joloff. He seems smashed up.” “A good deal happened to Joloff. Crusoe was going to smash him against a rock.” “ Did Crusoe, as you call him, give Joloff those pretty, pouting lips? ” “No. Mark Sanderman did that. Joloff offered him safety providing Alma married him—Joloff.” “ Scoundrel! ” “TY think he’s worse. And I am worried about the islander and Miss Sanderman. You see, the fellow never saw a woman, and he is head over heels in love with the first one he meets.” Delatouche laughed. “ My dear fellow, we all were.” “But he will see others.” “We all did.” Do CoOMmicbook CO