Argosy All-Story Weekly — page 88: what you’re looking at

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

558 Nan was following with an equal absence of acute interest the stiff-legged, brisk peri- grinations of three sandpipers down near the water’s edge. She said aloud, but really to herself: “I suppose one of them is un- welcome.” Reducing life to terms of sex was as nat- ural with her as, with Javalie, it was to reduce life to terms of art. He would probably have said the three sandpipers at the water’s edge were rather Japanese. Her head was tilted, and one cheek was pillowed on a hunched shoulder. She was miles away from the birds now. She with- drew her attention from the water and con- centrated it brightly on Javalie. 3 ““ [| was interested in what you told Teddy about Pete, Javalie. I don’t believe a word of it. Jeanne is as ignorant of life as if she came out of the convent yesterday. Oh, she’s a sweet little thing—from a man’s standpoint—just the one for Ted if he can ever escape from dad’s clutches. He’s sap- py, too—or he wouldn’t have swallowed what you said—plus all that salt water. They’re perfectly suited, of course. It isn’t that I’m catty. No woman is very broad-minded, but I not a bit narrower than most. ‘‘ Jeanne simply has one of those fervid imaginations. She’s the kind that thinks a man is going to attack her if he happens to touch her foot under the table with his. Thank God she is going to have a baby. I suspected it myself, and I think it will turn Ted into a model husband.” “I am sorry you heard,” Javalie said. “Tt doesn’t change my feelings about Pete in the least,” she assured him sweetly. “You really did him a wrong when you compared him to those fish hawks. He’s awfully nice, and he’s trying hard to brace up and be a man. ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. “You can’t realize how that poor fellow has suffered. His people were quite rich at one time, and he was raised—the only child ——to believe that the world was his own especial oyster. It isn’t his fault he’s a beach lizard; and if he preys on women in distress, as you say, which I think is untrue and mighty unfair, only his mother is to blame. ‘When their money went she continued to have delusions of grandeur. Wouldn’t let Pete cut loose and make the grade by himself. She adored him, naturally, and he wouldn’t break her heart by leaving her and going to New York, where he had some influential friends. She was a Bostoner, one of the most horrible examples of the type. And when she finally freed him by dying of a cancer, it was too late. ‘* Dad doesn’t like Pete. I explained all that to him, and he said that if Pete had had any guts he would have cut loose from her. He didn’t apply it to himself at all. I wonder if many parents have this disease of the ego? Javalie, you haven’t forgotten that I gave you just twenty-four hours, do you?” “No, I haven’t forgotten.” “You don’t want me to run away with Pete, do you?” He considered her gravely. you, Nan?” ‘“‘ Answer my question, Javalie.” “No,” he said, “‘I don’t. You could not make a more foolish mistake.” “Oh!” she exclaimed. “I must go. Have lunch with me, Javalie. Two thirty. Voir!” She was up and away before he could reply, and when he got to his feet—his robe had in some way become entangled with them—her reason for bolting became apparent. “ Would TO BE CONCLUDED NEXT WEEK U U TWO PROMISES By BARONESS VON HUTTEN, author of “ Pam” has been selected as the Complete Novelette for our Fortieth Anniversary Number next week, which will be an issue in every way worthy of the occasion. COMMCOOOKS. COM