Argosy All-Story Weekly, Vol. 124, No. 3 — page 23: what you’re looking at

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

JUNGLE LOVE. 897 in the girl who sat facing Artie than their own painted and somewhat world-frayed partners. As brutes on the scent of some dainty morsel, so did the blasé hounds of the sidewalk and lounge roués, figuratively speaking, lick their chops at the prospect of being invited to meet Artie’s young friend. Adventurous, unsophisticated mno- cence, plus maidenly youth, was a passing race and worth while tidbit on the menu of the Mogolia’s entertainment. Thus, for a brief while, can an ordinary, indiscriminat- ing and not particularfy fascinating girl occupy a place on the unstable throne of desirability. It is natural that a young girl should feel pleasure in the knowledge that she is attractive; but the pity of it all lays in the circumstance that she will. not distinguish between clean smiles and soiling leers. Yanity is her blindfold, and flattery gives deafness te the inner warning of sense and conscience. “I s’d worry,” scoffs Miss Adventurous as she gaily steps aboard the jazz-wagon. “It’s me fr a good time, th’ white lights ‘an’ high spots. I sh’ shimmy!” She does. And after a summer of danc- ing, the grasshopper of fabled renown came to a winter of discontent and real, honest- to-goodness shiveriness. “rtie was thorough in giving each one of his numerous acquaintances a leisurely sur- vey; but he took good care that none of them could construe his casual gaze as a summons to come to his fable. A man who has a prize kitten to sell usually seeks a purchaser who is not too parsimonious in the matter of paying a high price. To state Artie’s condition of mind with cold-blooded exactitude, he was desirous of making a profitable return on the money he had al- ready expended on Julie. A shocking and disgusting ambition; but, however we must deplore the circumstances weaving about Julie, we know that she had not sought ‘Jove or even a glimmer of remance. Also in connection with that half-frightened, backward look Julie had cast over her shoulder, certain events unsuspicioned by the girl or Artie were pledged to fulfilment. Julie had beckoned to promiscuous op- portunity for having an unqualified good time and in consequence was far more com- mitted to unpleasant results than she could have imagined. Indeed, the very ease with which she had accepted Artie Falwell as an escort was directly responsible for the - possibilities of gain that were simmering in his mind. Getting Julie to tae Mog had been a cinch. Ergo, getting rid of her would be another cinch, and, so did Artie © gage his position; he would, by passing the girl along, unburden himself of all responsi- bility for her future career. CHAPTER V. -ARTIE SPINS A LITTLE WEB. “CO HE feels good and pleased with her- self now,” Artie reflected with lewd acumen, “ pats herself on the back she’s got hold of an easy mark. I'll slide her off to old Sid, chicken 4 la stenog ’Il tickle him to death.” Again did Artie’s gaze shift about the café, but Sid was not to be seen. The only thing to do was to wait. There was no hurry; sooner or later, the obese old rake was sure to appear. Artie beckoned to Hamfist; but before the waiter reached his side, Julie made a whispered request that disturbed Artie’s budding plans and caused a quick frown to draw his eyebrows to- gether. ; ‘You want to go home? Now?” he asked. ‘“‘ What’s the great idea? We're only just beginning to get acquainted. Be a good sport. You ain’t got nobody wait- ing for you. No ma to call you down. Besides, it’s early. What’s the use of being a pikere Ain’t you havin’ a good time? Let’s take a whirl on the floor.” _“T don’t want to dance,” said Julie. “TI ought not to have come dressed like I am.” “Is that all that’s bothering you?” Artie laughed. “ Why, you look fine. Forget it.” — ‘“ But it’s not that. It’s not my clothes. I could sit here all night. It’s great, and I thing you’re grand, but I must go now.” _ Julie’s must was said falteringly and with downcast, apologetic eyes: but Artie real- ized she meant what she said. A look of sulky resentment came over his face. “ Nice thing,” he grumbled, “ messing up my evening.” GOR GDOO (COL