Argosy All-Story Weekly — page 48: what you’re looking at

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618 slipping and he took his courage in his hands. it had been much easier fighting Carter. —“You don’t know much about me, Peggy,” he said, “but I can tell you this much, if you'll let me, and believe me. I’ve never been in love with a girl before. And I haven’t much to offer you, until I can get at that vanilla plantation, but it’s been love at first sight. If you’d go with me to the missionary—and come back again? He stopped short, vexed at his lack of fitting words. He did not see how the girl Ss. eves were shining. ? “T think I know a good deal about you, Jimmy Thorpe, ” she said. ‘“ But I don’t — know if it is enough. It isn’t as ii—” In her turn she paused, twisting at the note. “Tm a lunkhead,” said Jimmy. “I can’t tell you how I feel. I don’t know how you do. I can’t expect that you would fall in love with me, but—I wish you could.” He rose and went to the window. The launch was being hauled up, The yacht’s cable was shortening. The girl opened the envelope and read a short note. There was a bill inclosed and she gave a little gasp. “ The yacht is leaving,” said my ina dull tone. .- Peggy Dineen hesitated. ‘* Jimmy,” she said, “‘ how much did you say you needed to start your plantation?”’ ‘¢ Another five hundred dollars.” ““ Tye had a note from Mrs. Melville A nice note. Some time I'll read it to you. But she seems to feel they owe me some- thing. You see, I was engaged for the voy- age. She has sent me five hundred dol- ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. - “Yes,” said Jimmy. “ That’s fine. It was coming te you. To pay your way back.” “Yes, Jimmy. If you want me to go.” Jimmy whirled. “ Peggy, do you mean it?” “Don’t you want to take me up to look at your vanilla valley—owr valley, Jimmy?” “Do I? Peggy!” Faata stuck her head in at the door and vanished to bear the glad news to Tubi. They did not hear her. Peggy Dineen was - stroking the battered cheek of Jimmy Thorpe. “Jt wouldn’t be for your looks as they are now, Jimmy, that I’d fall in love with you,’ ’ she said. “ But they have got some- thing to do with it.” - ‘That was cryptic to Jimmy, but all that Peggy said was right with him. As they stood on the hill above the little valley where they were to build up their fortunes together, partners in all, they saw the trailing smoke from the Albatross steam- ing away from Twenty-Stick.. “There is the missionary’s place,’ said Jimmy. “ You can just see it from here. How soon shall we start? I’ve got wedding rings in stock. ‘They are pei brass and Zs gilt, but one will do for now.’ ~ She pressed a little closer to him. “T’m a fine looking bridegroom for a beats ful bride,” he said. *Sure- Jiramy, ” she said with the first touch of brogue he had noticed in her speech, “‘ you’re the finest ever. And we'll go whenever you are ready.” “That’s now,” he said. So the meal that Faata had prepared for lars. It means little to her, outside of the noon served them as a wedding supper. thought. And that is meant well.” Such is the way of lovers. THE END | Le) v U + DON’T MISS NEXT WEEK’S GREAT NOVELETTE ~ THE EARTH-SHAKER” A really remarkable story of an elephant by KENNETH PERKINS author of Queen of the Night,” ~ The Bull-Dogger,”’ ete = COMPLETE IN THE TSSUVE OF AUGUST 18. comirechbook (E©@)