Argosy All-Story Weekly — page 32: what you’re looking at

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

_ ship? 502 and Elmer—Elmer’s picking it up, aren't you, Elmer?” Ed grinned a “‘ delighted, I’m sure ” and wished instantly that he hadn’t hit on a night when Curtiss was calling. However, the bridge game languished for some reason, Joe Benson muttered something about hav- ing to be at the office early, and retired, and Elmer Curtiss said he guessed he’d be run- ning along. “ Well,” said Ed French, finding himself face to face with Beth across the fireplace, and grinning affably, ‘ I thought I’d struck quite a crowd; this is nicer.” “Why, Edward, don’t you like my lil brother and good old Elmer? I just love em both.” “Sure, I like them; but I didn’t come to see them. I came to see you. I hardly ever run across you evenings; you don’t seem to be going out much.” “No,” said Beth, “ I’m so busy daytimes I don’t feel much like evening gayeties; and besides, I do a lot of studying and read- ing at home. I haven’t had your practical experience, you know. It’s quite an un- dertaking to keep up with my job.” * And how goes the job?” “T have my troubles, Edward. Things aren’t always sunshine and roses; and— well, we have competition to consider.” French smiled. ‘You don’t mind a little thing like that, do you? Besides, I imagine a comparison of your books and the Sands County’s wouldn’t show we’d gained a whole lot— yet.” on the books"Eddy. It’s — well, subtler than that.” “You flatter us. I hadn’t supposed— however, maybe you’d rather not talk shop. I really did intend this for a social call. You know, before coming back from New York I had rather looked forward to renew- ing the old—what shall I call it—friend- I can’t tell you how disappointed I am to see so little of you. And then to find ourselves on opposite sides of the fence in a business way—that complicates the sit- uation; unless—unless—well, you remember what I said to you that night out at the country club when I first got back?” “The competition doesn’t always show ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. “You know you weren’t speaking seri- ously, Ed; and what you said was absurd. Making love to me so as to combine our families and consolidate the banks! Did any one ever hear of anything so—so— mercenary?” ‘““ Wonder you hadn't said ‘ sordid,’ ”’ said Ed,a trifle hurt. He was always getting his emotions and his flare for commerce jum- bled; it was the way he was made. He was an exceedingly personable young man, who wore New York clothes in a New Yorky way and lent what might be termed a “flash of form” to the sartorial monotony of Templeton’s ready-made younger male population. “Let’s change the subject,” said Beth. She was a bit embarrassed. The conversa- tion wasn’t going to suit her in the least. Years ago she had thought herself pretty fond of Ed French, that is, back in pre- college days. Yet now she knew he wasn’t an essentially different Ed French from the rather aggressive, selfish boy of high school years. “Let’s talk shop,” she _ suggested. “‘ Banking means as much to you as it does to me; it’s your life. I can’t think of any- thing more interesting; and you know you and I don’t agree on policies, which makes it all the more so.” “All right,” said Ed resignedly. “ Fire away.” ‘““J was speaking of competition. What are we—you and I, as bankers—going to do about this brokerage concern that’s setting up’ shop in the Haynes Block?” Ed French fidgeted in his chair. ‘““ Why,.I—I don’t know; do we need to do anything?” ‘“* Do you mean to say you haven’t enough public spirit to see the necessity of doing something? What is a bank for, if I may ask ?”’ “To deal in money—at a profit.” “Oh, really? Hasn’t it any responsibil- ity beyond money making?”’ Ed sat up in his chair and leaned forward. “1’d heard something like that as hav- ing originated with you, Beth,” he said. ‘“ Pretty clever, I call it.” The girl reddened. “T don’t see anything clever about it. Comichbooksrecom