All Story Magazine, December 1913 — page 70: what you’re looking at

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

780 day, I believe, he is a prosperous cigar manufacturer, with a son at Yale, and the rest of the family preparing for Bryn Mawr. I don’t suppose you could make cigars, Mr. Mason?” “T never tried to. Let—let’s find a seat and talk this over.” Alice glanced quickly up at me and away again. Margaret's fingers gripped my arm tighter and tighter. Perhaps it was Alice’s taunts, or Margaret's courage in_ her _helpless- ness, or the vow I had vowed, or a combination of all three that made me feel so very determined and serious; much more serious than I allowed them to believe I was. In any case, when we found a vacant seat I was in no mood for quibbling. ‘Now, let’s see,” I began the mo- ment we were seated; ‘us and com- pany have just lost ten thousand dol- lars. Since it's no use erying over spilled milk we might as well face the music and decide here and now whether us and company shall be dis- solved or not. “[ have saved about five hundred from the wreck, and my partner is rich to the tune of nine hundred. To- tal assets in hard cash, about fourteen hundred. Now, I think I*can drive and take care of a car well enough to earn— What do they pay chauffeurs over here?” Margaret's fingers slipped down to my hand and held on like grim death. They trusted me. I could feel that. Alice laughed softly and looked away for a moment. “Twenty-five dollars, I think, is a fair average, she said at last in a low tone, and her olear gray eves came round again quite steadily. “ But, of course, you're joking?” I accepted the information and nored the question. “Do you mean week or month? ” “Week, of course.” “Not so bad, is it?” I looked to Margaret for a comment of some sort, and found her regarding me in mute twenty-five per THE ALL-STORY MAGAZINE. astonishment. ‘ Could live on twenty-five per week?” we “Oh, please — please don’t make fun!” “Fun! I never was more serious. You are my responsibility now, and I'm not a bit afraid to undertake it. Do you think you could marry me— to-morrow? ” “Good Heavens!” Alice whispered involuntarily, and. Margaret’s eyes widened and widened till I thought they would never stop. “Of course I know this isn't a bit orthodox. You're not getting half the fun out of it you ought to get. But it's original. Probably we'll make as good a shape at matrimony as lots of. people I know who tackled it with all the usual frills. ‘In the presence of a witness I haven't the least hesitancy in saying that I like you very much, and _ that though a week ago [ hadn't any in- tention of marrying any one, you have removed my prejudices entirely. And you know you said a few minutes ago that you were not afraid.” “T'm not! ”- “Then perhaps Miss Van Huysen will informi me where we could secure a license and that sort of thing.” Alice drew a sharp breath and blinked as I turned my head. All the starch seemed to have been taken out of her; but in a minute she was smiling and looking almost happy. ‘“ Hoboken seems to be the logical aid to madness of this sort,” she “said calmly. ‘* The city hall isn’t more than a few steps from the ferry, and I be- lieve the way is lined with justices of the peace.’ “A sort of Gretna Green? That should do very well. Would you care to come along and witness the execu- tion?” “No, thanks.” Very firmly. Margaret moved uneasily, but said nothing. ‘Really? You won't come?” I asked again. “No. But, if you are really in Commicbooles. Conn