Argosy All-Story Weekly — page 111: what you’re looking at

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

PROTECTING PRUE. “ Well, -you’re consistent to the very last!” Prudence said blankly. “ One doesn’t get back money when a pickpocket has tak- en it, you know. Anyhow, I stipulated that the poor chap was to keep whatever he found, just for his trouble. And now, Bart- ley, your usefulness is over and we part, I think.” “Oh, I hope not, Prue,” Bartley said, with amazing good cheer. “I’m not bear- ing any ill will, if that’s what you imply. At least, I know when I’m licked. You’re the brightest kid I’ve ever met—too bright for me, apparently. I was a good deal of a dub not to have known it in the first place.” “What new piece of duplicity is con- cealed in the lovely bouquet?” the younger Miss Severn inquired. Bartley smiled, winningly, rather wist- fully and with all that earlier boyish effect and the smile found rather wondering re- flection on Prue’s countenance. “None at all, Prue. I’d—like to keep on knowing you. That’s all.” ‘“ Without. trying to lure me back to the old homestead?” the girl asked curiously. ‘“ Oh—that!” said Bartley, with a de- spairing shrug which seemed to banish the whole proposition forever. The subjugation of the male was strong among Prudence’s instincts. Not quite de- liberately, perhaps, one of the annihilating smiles flashed up at Bartley Greer. “ Well—I don’t know, Bart,” she mur- mured. ‘ Of course, it would be a bit diffi- cult to trust you—for a while, anyway, and—” She paused, lips parted in mingling joy and horror as the door opened. “ Oh, Rolf!” she cried. ‘“ Why—why, my poor little baby boy! What have they been do- ing to you?” She leaped from her seat and sped across the studio. Young Mr. Greer, with a sup- pressed snarl, turned also; the fact was that young Mr. Greer had been just developing a new and rather artful line of attack. Yet as his gaze fell upon Mr. Arm- struther, the snarl departed. Rolf, indeed, seemed to have had something done to him! His face was drawn and dazed and rather cray. -ffis great bulk sagged forward, so that his arms swung, ape fashion. And his knees were not the knees of the 901 old Rolf; these latter had been inclined to a waddling effect; at present they roved about uncertainly in a sort of weaving stag- ger. Add to these the details that Rolf’s eyes were red, his face dirty and his hair disheveled, and it was utterly clear that something had been done to him. ‘Why, poor little lamb!” Prudence was crying excitedly. “ Whatever—” “Work!” came thickly from throat as he sagged into a chair. “'You’ve really been—” “ Dock!” Rolf croaked in further expla- nation. ‘ S-s-steady—work!”’ Momentarily, Prudence could no more than caress his hair. Mr. Armstruther rolled up his eyes adoringly. “ For—you!” he breathed, and closed the eyes. “ Worthy—of you, dear! Worthy!” The younger Miss Severn came suddenly to life. “Well, if that’s the way they’ve been treating you—Wayne! Haven’t we any liquor? He needs brandy—or something! He—why, he’s exhausted! He’ll faint in another minute! Why don’t you answer me, Wayne? “T’ll make you some tea, honey! I'll wash your face and comb your hair, dear! T’ll—oh, dear! What have they done to you? Why did I ever let you—” Here she vanished into the kitchenette, while Rolf moaned faintly and sagged far- ther down in his chair, and Bartley Greer turned away in overwhelming disgust. All that ailed the clown was that he’d done half a day of real work! And by lumber- ing in at just the wrong point he had ruined young Mr. Greer’s newest attempt at Pru- dence and captured every last particle of her attention for himself. Yes, and he’d go on doing that while he was around—eternally. “ Dick!” snapped Mr. Greer. There was no response at all from the remote corner. Bartley turned in sudden astonishment—and stared in _ infinitely greater astonishment. There was a cur- tain, partly draped across that cozy little nook; now, in whatever way, it had fallen, almost shutting off the corner. Yet space enough remained that young Mr. Greer was permitted to see his old Rolf’s Oo Comicbooks C@