Argosy All-Story Weekly, April 19, 1924 — page 22: what you’re looking at

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

492 languidly. “I don’t want him to think I am easy, do I?” As a declaration of independence, the girl flung off her wrap and settled back cozily upon a divan, while the important individ- ual waiting at the gate went over the list of girls that would have been crazy for a drive with him. Nat had been ignominiously dangling about for over half an hour when the cause of his exasperation finally appeared. He intended to register a protest, but the sight of Mary had an inhibitive effect. Nat Gertridge was a dark, esthetic per- son, destined to shine with women rather than with men; of a nervous disposition, he possessed amazing self-control, hiding his true nature behind an impassive mask. His heavy jaw, in conjunction with a lean _ face, bespoke a grim determination of the mind that would carry on long after brute force had succumbed. This afternoon, in spite of vexation, Nat inquired blandly: “How would you like to go down to see the Valkyrie, Mary?” ‘“That’s just where I’d love to go.” “All right, we'll drive right down to the yards. You know I am very much inter- ested in this new clipper.” cé Why?” “Because on the day of her launching I’m to take over from father as managing director.” ; “Oh, isn’t that simply splendid! And it seems to me you are still only a boy, Nat.” “Tye been out of Harvard five years. That’s time enough to learn a lot in the shipping line.” i Especially if one has the name of Ger- tridge.” : ‘Well, since my grandfather started in West India trade our business has certain- ly grown. I believe I am coming in for the best days. Freights were never higher. Ships were never a sounder investment. I wouldn't be surprised if this new clipper pays: ACE herself before she’s off the ways a year.’ “And if she does, Nat, I suppose you'll be getting so rich that you won’t even know your old playmates.” ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY, ‘“ Now, Mary, you mustn’t get sarcastic, especially since we have been friends so long.” “Yes, Nat, I’ve known you ever since I was a wee tot. You seemed like such a big boy then. Don’t you remember when I used to lisp and call you ‘ big brovver ’2” ‘““T wish you would still call me that!” “But I myself have grown since then. What looks big to us when we are little doesn’t always look big when we are grown up.” His vanity was piqued. But Mary con- tinued: “Never mind what you look like, Nat. They say that you are surely going to be one of the big ones in the shipping world.” With face lighting up, he exclaimed: “Yes, Donald MacKay has been the making of us. Now, with six of his clippers I don’t believe that any one can possibly compete with us.” “Tf you think so well of my Uncle Don- ald, why do you embarrass him so often?” “ That’s just what you don’t understand, Mary. We are not building ships to please © the artistic temperament of Donald Mac- Kay. We're building them to pay divi- dends. And when we are talking about that end, we know our own needs better than any designer.” ‘You always seem to know exactly what you want, Nat.” “Yes; that’s why I know I’m going to win exactly the things I start after.” ** Oh, really!” By this time they had come to the Mac- Kay yards. As they drove around the cor- ner, by the mold loft, the Valkyrie flashed into view. Every trace of the fatal night had been wiped out, and now she apneared lovelier than ever. MacKay still held to his original purpose, and she was to be launched fully rigged, with three skysail yards across. Handing over the horse to an attendant, “Nat assisted Mary up a long stairway to the lofty deck, where at the moment a crew of riggers were busy. Mary looked at the flags with which the new queen was arrayed. Her eyes went up and up, till her glance rested on the high main truck. With that glance there came a Eomichbooks.co