Argosy All-Story Weekly — page 90: what you’re looking at

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

716 cipal towns between Clayton and Monte- bello and put want ads in the papers. Sim- ple wasn’t it? I believe in advertising for what you want.” Hal’s face was tormented with bitterness. He had set such store by that job. “T come in friendliness,” Campas went on, his little eyes fixed greedily on Celesta. “Here you are, up against it, as anybody could see. Well, I’m well fixed. I got friends, I got money, I got a swell car down at the door. All you got to do is step in it, and shake this crummy joint.” “What then?” said Hal. “Well, I got a friend who runs a swell sanatorium in Jamesburg,” said Campas. “ Roger and Celesta can live there till the bulls get tired looking for them. They’ll have the best of everything. As for you, we'll find you a job—a real job this time. Most of my friends are medical men; we'll find you a practice somewhere.” “Not your kind of practice, by gad!” said Hal. Campas’s face turned blackish. “ Cut out that kind of talk,” hé gritted. ‘“‘ You’re not my boss now; I’m yours.” “ We refuse your offer,” said Hal shortly. Celesta eagerly nodded her head. Campas’s face was ugly. ‘ Not so fast,” he snarled. “I come here in all friendli- ness, but things might as well be said plain. You’ve got no option in the matter. You’ve got to do what I say.” “ T’ll be damned!” Hal began hotly. Roger came in quickly. “ Wait a min- ute,” he said. “Why, hello, Roger,” said Campas smoothly, Roger winced at the familiarity, but it was no time to stick upon ceremony. “ There’s no use getting in a quarrel,” he said smoothly. ‘“ This has got to be talked over.” “There’s a man with sense,” Campas observed. “‘ He don’t butt his head against the facts of the situation.” “Roger can say what he likes,” said Hal, ‘6 but | Roger laid a hand on Hal’s shoulder—a surprising act for him. But Roger’s pin- prick irritations against Hal had vanished for ‘the time being. Roger realized that in ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. Campas he and Hal had a common enemy. For Hal and himself to quarrel in front of Campas would deliver them all into his hands. Hal realized this, too, and fell si- lent. “Have you any objection to letting Hal and I talk this matter over to-night?” asked Roger. Campas felt sure of his hand. He knew from Hal’s anxiety to get the job that day that thy must be down to about their last dollar. Moreover, he believed that he had the easy-principled Roger on his side. * All right,” he agreed coolly. ‘ Talk yourselves black in the face if you want. You can’t escape the facts I’ve laid down.” Campas picked up his hat.. He ap- proached Celesta, grinning in what he in- tended to be an ingratiating way. “ You look fine,” he said. “ Don’t let them poison your mind against me. I’m not a bad sort of fellow. I stood by you once, and Ill stand by you again. Here, I brought you a little box of candy.” As Celesta made no move to take it, Campas laid it on the table. “ See you in the morning,” he said at the door. As he went down the stairs Hal passion- ately snatched up the box of candy and flung it with all his might out of the win- dow. It sailed over the fences into a distant yard. “What did you do that for?” Roger de- manded. “TI suppose it was good candy.” Hal was speechless with rage. “Hal did right, father,” Celesta mur- mured. There was silence in the little room. Hal struggled for self-control. Roger said at last: “ Well, it’s damned unpleasant, but I really don’t see what we can do but accept his offer. At least, we'll get out of this place. I'll soon be able to find myself, and get clear of him.” Hal laughed bitterly. ‘‘ What do you think he’s offering you? A little courteous hospitality? Once he gets you in his power do you think you'll ever get out again? That’s childish!” “ Hal!” murmured Celesta admonish- ingly. , Hal clapped his hands to his head. “Oh, . my God! It drives me mad to think of the Commicoooks (C@