Argosy, Vol. 123, No. 1 — page 139: what you’re looking at

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

SERAPION. “ That is the amusing part. He is will- ing to die, because of the love.” “Some woman refused him, you mean?”’ “No; the girl is not even aware of his feeling toward her. She would, 1 think, be shocked at the very thought. He has only spoken with her twice in his life. But from the first moment that he saw her face he has loved her. He has sat in the court- room and watched her while the lawyers fought over his life, and to his peculiar nature—rather an amusingly peculiar na- ture, from our view-point—merely watching her so has seemed a privilege beyond price. He is willing to die, not for you, but to buy her happiness.” “Who is this girl?” 1 asked hoarsely, and speaking aloud as I still sometimes did with him. “ You should know.” “Nils Berquist—in love—with Roberta?” I said slowly. “ But that’s absurd! You are lying!” “No. Every day, as you know, she was in that audience beyond the rail. For your sake. Because she knew how you cared for this man Berquist. She herself has a shrinking horror of the ‘ red-handed murderer,’ but her devotion’ to you has served our purpose well. That first mere glimpse he had of her on the street—the hour at dinner in your house—these im- pressions might have somewhat paled in the stress of confronting so disgraceful a form ef death. But in the court-room he watched her face for hours every day, and ‘each day bound our dear poet and dreamer tighter.”’ : c¢ But—” ‘““He measures her love for you by his own for her. As you are still his friend, un- condemned and worthy, he will buy your life for her.” “He loves her—and would have her marry a murderer?” ‘“‘ He believes as you have told him, and truly enough, that you were thrown off balance by some influence connected with - Alicia and did not know what you were doing. But it is rather amusing, as I said. He loves the girl for the goodness and purity of her beauty, and for her newly -born sadness. You have tired of her for 9 ARGOSY 129 the same reasons, and plan to break the engagement. But he needn’t know that, eh?” ‘Liar! I shall marry Roberta.” “When? Never! No; you are entirely right. She is not the wife for you. With my help you can easily attract a better. I know at least one woman among your mother’s friends who is already devoted to — you, and who has means to make not only you but your whole family happy and com- fortable. I mean the blond widow, who owns the big house next to your old home. What is her name? Marcia Baird. Yes; she is the woman I refer to. Oh, I know she’s over thirty, but think what she could give you. As for the girl, she knows your circumstances. Her love is selfish, or she would have released you before this.”’. “You are lying, as you have lied in the past.” “What have I said that proved untrue?” “You have lied from the first. ‘There was poor old Van. You said that his father would forgive him, and he didn’t.” “Be fair. You misquote. I said that Van would not be ruined. With the en- thusiastic despair of youth, he played hobo for a while. Then he went to work at the one thing he understood. He is a very industrious mechanic now in a motor-car factory, with good chances of a foreman- ship, and—except for grease—living cleaner than he ever did before. He was going the straight-down road, but his sacrifice for you pulled him up. You will hear from him shortly. He doesn’t bear any grudge.” ‘‘ But Nils, you promised to be my ally; to use your power as an influence to help.” “‘T kept the promise. Has the least slur of suspicion fallen upon you? Is not every- one your friend? Is there a man or wo- man living who hates or despises you? Are you not shielded and sheltered by the mantle of love, as I foretold?”’ “But you promised that Nils would be acquitted.” “Not acquitted. I said released. For such a spirit as his, this world is a prison. In real life, such as you and I prize, there is no contentment for him. Death will release him to that higher sphere where the idealist. finds perfection, and the dreamer COmiclbooks C© 5}