The Argosy, Vol. 76, No. 3 — page 204: what you’re looking at

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

674 now very gently he drew her idle hand between his two tanned palms and sat down awkwardly enough be- side her. She sensed her power over him and was pleased. In bashful, broken sentences he told her what was on his mind. It was a simple avowal, and its very simplicity pleased her. There was a depth of honest. sincérity in the brief, “I love you—I want you, Edith”; and what followed was the unselfish pleading of a real man’s devotion. He did not ask her to pledge her- self to a poorly paid lieutenant of constabulary. But he did want a chance to win his way to her heart. . He had an offer of a transfer which promised quick promotion. Would she wait a little for him to provide the means of making her happy?. That was all he asked. And before he fin- ished her head was nestling danger- ously close to his shoulder. With a little start of displeasure and embarrassment she came to her- self. Like a woman, she first adjust- ed her ruffled curls and then laughed lightly as she rose to her feet. The laugh ended abruptly. She seized his hands and held him the length of her slender arms away from her. “Tom,” she said—and she was glad the night shadows hid her ac- cusing blushes—* you’ve been a very good boy—yes. I suppose I ought to tease you and keep you guessing. But I won’t. No” —he had moved to draw closer to her—‘“ keep your dis- tance, sir.” “T like you, Tom—very much. Do I love you? I'll have to ask myself that and make sure.” Then a shadow crossed ther eyes, and she winced as if in great pain. The emotion passed, but it left her pale and very serious. “No, Tom,” she said with grave finality. ‘“‘It can’t be, anyhow. You forget Dick.” She released his hands and stood gazing out over the lake, turning her head away from him. THE ARGOSY. “TI promised dad and mother to look after Dick, Tom. I’m all he has. He needs me. Please go away now and leave me.” “But that’s just it, Edith. Dick needs both of us. You know, little girl, I don’t want to put it that way— I know it weuldn’t and shouldn’t in- fluence you: But if you think I could make you happy, darling, why not give me the chance to help you look after Dick? You know how much I like him, and I know he likes me, too. We could be so happy, the three of us together!” She shook her head slowly, deci- sively. “No, Tom. That would not be fair. I could not ask you to take up another burden. I love to work for him, but. he’s. my brother and I’m the only one he has to look after him. Please don’t make it harder for me. It seems hard to lose your friendship just when I was beginning to like you so much. But I cannot do what you ask.” Marker was touched by the girl’s loyalty and independence. And now he was the more determined to It1ft from her delicate Shoulders the care of the little invalid whom he had come to love for his own sake as well as for his sister’s. Controlling himself as well as he could, he asked her to think over his offer, resting assured that Dick’s health meant much to him—that the boy needed his sister and would soon grow strong if she were only relieved from the work which kept her most of the day at the schoolhouse. “Take your own time,” he said; “a week — a month, whatever you think right.” Inwardly she felt glad of the respite. Her heart had responded at a bound to the pleadings of the man. His unselfishness touched her. “Give me a week, then, Tom,” she said with a wan little smile. “I'll think over what you have said, but please don’t rely too much on my COMicdoo S CO@