Adventure Magazine, Mid-September 1917 — page 98: what you’re looking at

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

96 “There is something better—much bet- ter—than the struggle with the North,” he murmured as they moved along in perfect unison. ‘Shall I tell you what it is?” “Not now,” she whispered. ONCE, as they passed the door leading out into the lobby, Gaston sie was conscious of a white face look- ing in at him, but he paid no attention to it. It was only after the dance was over, after he had bidden Ethel good night, and was leaving the floor that he understood. Ada Adair met him squarely face to face in the lobby. “It’s just one girl after another with you, is it?’”? She spoke scarcely moving her lips, but her eyes were blazing. ‘‘You didn’t come to hear me sing because you had a date to dance with that silly husband-hunt- ing kid in there. Did you try to kiss her, too? She looks as if she’d let you.” “Don’t talk that way about Miss Drake, please,’ protested Gaston. “Ho! Too good, eh? But it’s all right to play with me, is it? Good I thought you were a wise guy. Can’t you see what she is—one of those grafting baby dolls who look up at a man and say, ‘Oh, how strong you are!’ and marry him, and graft on him for the rest of his natural life. Can’t you see she’s a helpless pet, looking for something soft and rich to marry? And you left me and came straight here, did you? That was play, up there at the stage-door, was it? Take a good look at me, boy—do I look like a woman who’s safe to play with?” He looked at the flaming eyes, the hardly controlled mouth, the quivering nostrils, and replied honestly: ‘“‘No, you don’t. And now take a look at me—do I look like a man who plays with women?” “Pooh! You’re a man. Don’t talk baby to me. And I saw you dancing with her. Now do you know what you’re going to do? You’re going to take me in there and dance with me.” The challenge, the note of command in ‘her voice, aroused and irritated him. “‘Am I?” he said softly. “TI don’t think sO, 99 “No, you won’t do that. It was all right for me to see you dancing with her, but you “don’t want to let that helpless doll see you dancing with me. All right, Mr. Thorson. Do you know that you’ve got a few good, Adventure strong enemies around this man’s camp?” “Yes; I know it; but who told you?” “Ray Drake told me, if you must know. Good, strong enemies who are out to get you. Well, you’ve got another now. Don’t forget that, boy. And if you—if you hadn’t gone straight from me to that silly kid who’s going to make a fool out of you—well, it might have been different. And you think you're going to win her, do you? Ho, ho! Say, boy, when they’ve smashed you and cleaned you and sent you out of camp talk- ing to yourself she—why, she won’t look at you. And then you can look me up—and get the big laugh from me, too!”’ She threw back her head and laughed softly, her mood changing in the wink of an eyelid. “What! Going?” He flung himself away, too stirred to re- ply. At the door of the hotel the dapper, tight-lipped cigar clerk was lying in wait, speaking softly out of one corner of his mouth. “Too slow for you in there, eh, big fellow? Looking for some action?” ‘““Yes,”’ growled Gaston. ‘Where is it?” “Out at Manchester Jimmy’s. The game’s running high, West and crooked to- night.” Manchester Jimmy’s was, officially, a road-house, two miles or so out of town. Mostly it lived-faithfully up to its official nature, but on occasions, when the authori- ties were absent or lax for any reason, or when big money was in town looking for quick action, Manchester Jimmy’s blos- somed quietly and surreptitiously out in its true form, which was that of a gambling- house where play might be had for any sum at any game known. “T could tell you were looking for action,” went on the glib youth, ‘‘and I got a load waiting back of the hotel now. Room for just one more. Go out and take a plunge, big fellow?” “That’s me,” replied Gaston. He was ready for anything now, and gambling promised an outlet to his aroused emotions. In the darkness he stepped on some one’s foot as he entered the rig waiting silently behind the hotel, and laughed as the man swore furiously. ‘“‘Ssh-ssh, boys!’ cautioned the driver. “No noise till we get out of town, please.” Silently the horses started, and silently the load sat until the jack-pine hid them COMmiclsoo CO