All-Story Weekly, Vol. 112, No. 1 — page 113: what you’re looking at

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

GOOD REFERENCES. “Not exactly; that is, not in so many words. But last night—” ‘“We won’t talk about last night, if you don’t mind.” . She was becoming better pleased every minute. When she had retired the night before she made up her mind that it would be necessary to make a clear explanation concerning Peter, the valet. Now she knew that she would never explain. “Well, if we’re not permitted to go ashore here, do you think we can get permission at Newport?” she asked. | ‘“ Confound it! I didn’t say you couldn’t go ashore. You can go ashore any time you want. You can—” Bill excused himself abruptly and walked forward. Mary beamed at his retreating back and poured another cup of coffee. ‘“‘ He was going to say I could go to hell,” she murmured. ‘‘ Oh, lovely!” Aunt Caroline had breakfast served in her stateroom and then sent for Mary. After a satisfactory conference, she dismissed Mary and sent for Bill. “How soon are you going ashore, Wil- liam?” she asked. ‘“‘T didn’t know I was going.” ““ Why, of course. You have friends here. You can’t leave Larchmont without calling. That’s what we came for.” ‘‘ Who are the friefids, I’d like to know.” ‘“‘ Well, in the first place, I believe Bishop Wrangell is staying here—with the William- sons. It will give you an opportunity to meet them; they’re very desirable. And then the Kingsleys have a cottage here, or did, at any rate. You remember the little Kingsley girl at the party —the one in blue?” . Bill remembered. Only she was not the Kingsley girl; she was Armold Gibbs’s little girl. “You must look them up, too. They'll probably have some people visiting them, too; the Kingsleys always did entertain, and they have a very good position. And Miss Norcross thinks it just possible that the Humes have opened their house. You’ve never met Mrs. Hume, but if you just men- tion that you’re a Marshall, she’ll be de- lighted to see you. She knew your mother.” Bill groaned. for that little affair. 103 “Talk to Miss Norcross about it,” added Aunt Caroline. ‘“‘ She’ll know exactly what you should do.” “Good Lord, Aunt Caroline! Don’t you think I know how to behave without getting tips from Miss Norcross? You'll be want- ing me to consult Peter next.” ‘“‘ And a very good idea it would be, Wil- liam. I suggest it. And now see if you can find last night’s Evening Post; I haven’t seen it yet. After that I think you’d better start.” Bill walked out like a surly child. He could not find the Evenmg Post, but he picked up a copy of Devtlish Stories, gave it to a maid and told her Aunt Caroline wanted it. Then he went on deck and or- dered the launch. He had no intention of calling on any- body. He might ring up Kid Whaley on the phone and see if everything was all set But what he wanted principally was a change of environment. Mary saw him sulking at the rail as he waited for the launch to be brought around to the gangway. She smiled, bit her lip and approached. ‘“‘You’re going ashore?”’ ‘“ Uhuh.” ‘You have cards with you, I suppose? Your aunt’s also?” Bill faced her savagely. | ‘“‘ Stacks of cards,” he barked. ‘* Mine and my aunt’s and my valet’s and my sec- retary’s and the steward’s and everybody else’s. And my shoes are clean and I’ve washed behind my ears and brushed my hair in the back. Anything else?” “T don’t think of a thing, unless you’ve forgotten a handkerchief,” she said, sweetly. The launch arrived and Bill boarded it. At the final moment it occurred to him that he had, perhaps, been ungracious. ‘“‘ Want to come along?” he asked, look- ing up at the rail where Mary stood. He really hoped she would say yes. Mary shook her head and smiled like the morning. ‘“T’m afraid I have too many things to do,” she answered. ‘“ But thank you, just the same. You won’t forget to call on Mrs. Hume, if she’s here?” “I won’t forget to take you by the neck COmiIclooOo SS C©