Argosy All-Story Weekly — page 141: what you’re looking at

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

OUT OF THE WORLD FOR A WHILE. “ Well, he’s proved his value to us,” Ruth said. “Yes,” Olney said, still in that strange voice, “he has. If he had remained with Radcliffe he might have worked out plans for himself. I’m afraid I’d have been per- manently hung up. I—Mrs. Seagrave, what do you think my patents would be worth to you? You know we could have used some of my work even if I hadn’t got the results I looked for. We’d have been able to im- prove your product greatly. I—I want to sell out.” “You’re not going to leave, are you?” Ruth asked. “Yes, I want to get back home. Sea- grave can carry this thing along now. You won’t need me. I—lI haven’t been home for a long time.” ‘“ Has something happened?” Ruth asked. He looked at her squarely and he forced himself to smile. | ‘* Why, no,” he said. ‘I just want fo get back home. I'll take whatever you think is right and I can use it to study for a while. I’ve some other ideas that I want to work out.” “Well, what do you think would be right?” Ruth asked. ‘“T'll close out for ten thousand dollars,” Olney said. ‘“ I ought to have fifteen, but I believe Seagrave should share in this. You can pay him the extra five thousand or whatever you and he agree on. Will that be satisfactory?” “Tll pay you the fifteen,” Ruth said. “You have earned it. What Mr. Seagrave has done is another matter. I can settle with him later. Shall I give you a check now?” “ Well, if you will,” Olney said. Ruth reopened her desk and wrote the check. “Tl be leaving to-night,” Olney said. “T want to run over to New York after a bit, when I’ve been home, and I won't get this cashed till then.” “ Haven’t you taken a rather sudden de- cision?” Ruth asked. ‘‘T’ye been thinking about it for some time.” ; Again their eyes met. A speculative look came into Ruth’s. 931 Olney,” she said, “is there anything personal about me in vour decision to leave at this time?” “Nothing in the world,” Olney assured her. ‘‘I—only hope you will be happy, Mrs. Seagrave.” | ‘“ What do you mean by that?” she asked. “Well, your business ought to prosper now and your husband has come back.” Ruth’s cheeks burned. She had invited the statement, but still it made her uncom- fortable. “* Seagrave’s a good man,” Olney said, and since she was not looking at him he watched her. “TI think in some ways he’s the best kind of man there is. He’s been through the mill. He’ll be a better man than the common run for that. I know what I’m talking about, for I’ve been through the mill myself. I’m only thirty, but five years ago I was nearly a bum. Too much dreaming and not enough action. I never seemed to get started right till I came here. You’ve encouraged me alot. You gave me a chance to translate into action what I had been dreaming of. I’m grateful to you.” “ Having the money vou will have won’t get you started again, will it?” Ruth asked. - “No,” he said, and his eyes unseen by her, shone with that devotion which Holmes had spoken of. “Tm safe. I’m safe for- ever. And Seagrave is. Well, good-by, Mrs. Seagrave.” He put out his hand and Ruth took a forward step and laid hers in it. She looked into his eyes then. He was smiling inscru- tably. ‘““ Good-by and good luck,” she said. On the threshold he turned back. “Business is all right,” he said, “‘ but there are better things. Maybe I’m going too far, but I’d like to know if you’re going to give Seagrave his chance.” Ruth only shook her head. Olney did not seem to accept it as a sign of negation. Ruth had a queer feeling that this strange fellow with his rare chivalries, could read her heart better than she could herself. She had a sudden impulse of kindliness toward him. “Ts there anything like that waiting for you?” she asked. “ You know, I’ve always felt an interest in you. I should like to know that you are going to be happy.” Comicwiooks (CO)