Argosy All-Story Weekly — page 98: what you’re looking at

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

888 Elsie’s beautiful turquoise eyes were fixed very sharply on her friend. ‘““T say, Midge, you might as well tell me all about it,” she said. “ About what?” ‘““ My dear, you’ve been much too queer, as you call it, for what you’ve told us! A girl like you doesn’t go down with brain fever just because she’s spent one night in the open with a couple of natives.” “Elsie, what do you mean?” ** Oh, well!” Elsie shrugged her shoulders petulantly. “I think you might be pally and tell me! I’m sure the White Horse- man’s mixed up in it.” ** Elsie!” “You never did open your mouth about him, Midge. And besides—”’ ‘“‘ Besides—what?” asked Midge in a very stiff little voice. “‘ Well—I didn’t tell Laurie, Midge. Only the doctor and I know.” What?” “That your left shoulder and arm were one mass of bruises and that your right hand and wrist were badly burned.” Midge was very quiet. There was some- thing almost unfriendly in Elsie’s trium- phant stare. “Tt was nothing,” she said presently. “ T-was so tired—lI can’t really remember.” “You might tell me,” said Elsie in a greedy voice. “ There’s nothing to tell,” answered Midge. Her voice was very final, and her little body seemed to become encased in invisible armor of steel. | Elsie gave an irritated laugh. She was not out for big issues. She was merely in- ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. tensely curious because she scented an amorous adventure of sorts. But, after all, she was fond of her friend, so she passed the matter off with a slightly acrid remark: “Midge Hamilton, I think you’re a beastly little cat!” “ The next morning Midge received a let- ler from Sir John Lydd from Calcutta. She read it through three times; sitting up in bed. It was characteristic of Sir John, short and to the point, and very restrained in expression. My pear Mince: I have had sad news from England. My wife died a very few days after her arrival there. It appears she was suffering from an incurable disease. So brave of her not to tell me. I heard this some two days ago by cable- gram, but this morning I have received a let- ter from her, posted a few days before she died in a nursing home. In it she speaks so touchingly of you and myself and expresses her strong hope that we may find our great happiness before long. I did not write to you before because of all the sad part, but now I feel entitled and encouraged to do so. I had to postpone my voyage home owing to business affairs here, but shall have to go immediately after Christmas. If you will allow me, I shall come up to Banzat to see you at the beginning of next week, unless you should be going down to Lahore for the week, when I could join you. there. From the news about the frontier I cannot think that Banzat is a safe place for you. The thought of you being there fills me with grave uneasiness. Please wire me your plans, and believe me, Your devoted JoHN Lypp. TO BE CONCLUDED NEXT WEEK U lof THE CONQUERING HEART BY MAX BRAND will be among next week’s short stories. Another attraction of the number will be a new exploit of Bill Buddie in the detecting line, related by Wilson Collison under the title “ The Third Bottle.” Ccomicboooks (©)