Argosy All-Story Weekly — page 41: what you’re looking at

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

NOTHING BUT MONEY. He promptly dragged Ruth to her feet, and the others also scrambled out upon the floor. Miss Duroy turned her big black orbs full upon Hilwin and let loose her most fascinating smile. ““Wouldn’t it be wonderful if you were to make it possible for my show to be pro- duced. Financiers of plays are usually the most impossible people, but you would be different. “What fine times we could have to- gether! What a success we would have! How much money we would make, because I don’t mind telling you I am to have a percentage in the piece.” Hilwin was a simple youngster, though not so simple as he had been a few days before. He sensed the insincerity and the artifice of the beautiful woman who was attempting to beguile him. He realized fully he was being vamped. He much pre- ferred Ruth Simpson, boisterous flapper as she was, to this sleek and perfumed creature, But he was a person with a bagful of money and that money was at present draw- ing no interest and running frightful risks in the checkroom of the Grand Central Station. And he had been struck by an idea. If he were able to put some of that money ito an enterprise which would return him huge sums on the investment in a short period of time, he could turn the original amount intact over to the rightful owner if that individual ever showed up. “Let me hear the music and read the book,” he. informed Miss Duroy, “ and if I like it I'l make an investment.” “Oh, you adorable person,” she ex- claimed, and she kissed him full on the mouth. The people at the next table erinned and clapped their hands, but Ruth Simpson, dancing by with her partner, gave Miss Duroy a furious glance. _ “ That’s enough,’ she declared. “I’ve got to save Harry Hilwin from that nasty vamp.” “Cut out the spooning, Harry, and dance with me,” she demanded, and Harry had nothing to do but obey. The vamp lady grinned maliciously at Ruth. She had finished her business deal. ‘Yowre not going to be idiot enough to put money into a musical comedy for that woman?” asked Miss Simpson with more indignation than she was justified in ex- pressing to a man she had met for the first time only a few hours before. “Not for that woman. I don’t care an awful lot for her,” said Harry. “ But 1 have some loose change and a_ flyer in a musical comedy sounds interesting, especial- ly if the financial returns are as big as they say.” ‘““T know a man who lost all his money backing a musical comedy, and I don’t want you to have the same experience. If you have money to put to work my father could invest it for you in the cotton busi- ness, which is a lot safer.” “Yes, but it takes a long time to get a — return in that business. I’m looking for a quick turnover.” ‘‘T believe you’re completely fascinated by the woman, She isn’t any good. She can’t sing and she can’t dance. All she does is vamp men into putting money into productions for her. I’m disappointed in you. And if you could see where her lip- stick came off on your cheek.” She laughed meanly, as he tried to wipe it off with the back of his hand. Harry didn’t get another chance with Ruth during the remainder of the dancing, Other men claimed her and he danced with other girls, particularly with Miss Duroy, who had evidently informed her escort that there were business reasons why he must permit her to devote herself to Hilwin. The men attempted to chaff Harry on the “angel” business, but Miss Duroy was so much in earnest that they realized they had better not interfere. ‘‘ When shall I see you—to-morrow?” she asked Hilwin. ‘Whenever you say.” | ‘Come to my apartment at the Giltmore at two o’clock. We’ll have a little time alone and then I’ll have you meet the author and the composer and the man who in- tends to produce the show.” “It’s a date.” As the party went into the street Ruth Simpson got a chance to say to Harry: “ Come and see me any. time: Rettatobane