Argosy All-Story Weekly — page 23: what you’re looking at

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

A STRANGER IN TOWN. he thought he understood—that he knew the reason for her coming—what she was. She was a “sob sister ”—a reporter. Larry —the man who had caught him trying to get rid of that condemning bill—had turned in a story of his arrest and this girl had been sent to interview him—to play up the human interest side of his dilemma. The thought hardened his attitude in an instant. This jail was a zoo all right and she had come down to write up the latest beast. He became conscious that she was speak- ing, as the warder withdrew. ‘“ How do you do, Mr.—” “Never mind,” he interrupted shortly. ** Take the choice of the cot or stool, and tell me what you want.” “ What 7 want?” The violet eyes wid- ened, grew briefly puzzled and then, as Harmon thought, in a quiet way amused: “Aren't you the young man who sent for an attorney?” “J am,” Eddie admitted gruffly. * Then—I’m M. C. Elton.” ~ “Vou!” It was very, very rude, but Eddie actually gasped. For he really couldn’t help it. And though he didn’t know it, he stared. M. C. Elton was a woman—this—this blue-eyed girl. Once more fate had tricked him. He had picked a woman lawyer. No wonder the warder had grinned. What crazy kink was going to appear in the course of the whole infernal tangle next? He had asked for a lawyer and he had selected a girl not much out of her teens. In a sort of daze, he watched her red lips open. “T, yes. Mildred Elton. I suppose you were misled by the initials, weren’t you? You were expecting a—man?”’ Eddie nodded. ‘‘ I—er—that is yes, Miss Elton—the warder had called her Miss, he remembered, with a wholly un- reasonable pleasure. But—won’t you—er —sit down? You see I[’m a Stranger in town and I didn’t know. You’ll—er—par- don my surprise.” Miss Elton took the stool. “I under- stand perfectly and I’m going to begin with an explanation. I rather trade on the use of my initials instead of my given name. You see many people would hesitate to call a woman lawyer, until she has proved her- 653 self and gained a reputation. But my father was a lawyer and he trained me in his pro- fession and—I kept on with what I could hold of his practice when he—died.” “By Jove!” Harmon sat down on the cot. He stared back with a frank admir- ation, into her steady eyes. All at once he grinned. ‘“ You had your nerve.” Little white teeth glinted momentarily as she flashed him a smile. “It was the thing I knew best, and I had to earn my living. But, of course, if you’d rather have a man—”’ ~ “ Ffold on!” Eddie interrupted. All at once he made up his mind. It was all in keeping that he should have picked a. woman lawyer. It was as crazy as every- thing else from first to last. He had in- sisted on making his own selection, and he had asked for—this girl. ‘“ I—I wouldn’t rather have a man, than—you. I expected aman, of course. You’re right in thinking the initials fooled me. I’m a stranger in town, as I’ve told you before, and—” “Don’t bother to explain any further.” Tf Miss Elton noted his rather florid avowal, she gave no sign. Her manner became pro- fessional in the extreme. “ Suppose instead that you tell me all about your trouble, Mr.—” ‘“ Harmon—Eddie Harmon,” her client supplied. He did more. He rapidly sketched the entire sequence of events that had brought him into the position where she found him. And suddenly Mildred Elton began to laugh. Harmon stared. There could be no doubt of her amusement. She laughed with the whole-souled, absolute enjoyment of one who appreciates the humor of a situation. And by degrees, Eddie’s first surprise gave way to a rather odd expression. ““T—suppose it is—funny—to the other fellow,” he said in a tentative way at last. “Forgive me.” Miss Elton. controlled her mirth. ‘‘ But—he ran up and slapped you—and you chased him—and they put you under arrest. You poor boy—they certainly have got you into a mess the way you tell it. Only—if you’re not Blumefeldt and can prove your identity by the things you have at the hotel—I don’t see why you oO GOmMmicvdookszco