Argosy All-Story Weekly, February 7, 1925 — page 97: what you’re looking at

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

WILLIAM TRIES THE ROUGH STUFF. ting pretty darn sick of it, Mr. Sprague. ~ just go to a movie. ®» I’ve done every earthly thing she’s wanted. me to do this year. I’ve let her drive my new car all over creation. I’ve ‘danced through five pairs of shoes, and played ten- nis at four thirty in the morning, and gone swimming at ee and: shaved off By mustache—” “T know you have, son. have.” Suzanne’s father rose ponderously, moved his chair closer to William’s discon- — solate figure, and eased his: huge body back into it with a gusty sigh. “And doggone it, William, I wouldn’t be surprised if. that was just where you made your mistake!” “Shaving off my mustache?” William’s well kept hand with its impressive diamond’ caressed his downy upper lip ruefully. — Se “Naw. Humoring her the way you do. Turnin’ yourself inside out to ‘please her. Turkington don’t do it, you bet! Say—the : ‘she just eats it up. Criticises her clothes. T ells id he'd rather listen to the phonograph. Bawls her — -out if she keeps him waiting two minutes—_ line of talk that lad gives her! An’. her she can’t sing” worth a damn | and say, lemme give you a pointer.” Mr, Sprague paused | to light a fresh cigar. “Last night he refused point blank to go to that club dance. anyway. And Sue stood fer it! What’s more, when he offered to take her into” New York to a show she insisted she’d rather And let me tell ye, young: feller, when a girl starts savin’ a man’s money for him—well, you better get right busy, or I’m beat you to it!’ “Get busy!” seroancd: William. can I do, more than I’m doing? I’ve Secel her around morning, noon and night. Dad’s growling his head off because I don’t stick around the store more. You see, Mr. Sprague, I’m good enough to kill time with during the day, while that big : stiff is wear- but evenings— ing the greasy overalls, Lately, I don’t get a onic This is the first date I’ve had with Suzanne in five nights—” thoughtfully. “Win peer does—just show SB: wh don’t you ae} like - me?” I know youl Said it was too hot to dance, Z and dancin” was a stupid form of exercise eyes tw up like that to Sue. ,stead of lettin’ her twist 1 afraid that lad’s goin’ to” = Mr. Sprague Hchen hs head — you feel like it, date or no date? eome right out and ask Aer plump and plan—7 Re her! Z that when I meet her on the street I have to clap my hands over my mouth to keep — I’ve = asked: her so often from saying, ‘Hello, Sue, will you marry Tt can’t exactly drag her = by the hair of the head.” - Mr. Sprague eticKied, but what. that’d be a prettty goed idea, If I was in your place I’d try a little of the rough stuff, too. -ton’s style.” Copy ee ee i Pare “Yes, and Suzanne would give me the gate so quick—” oS € Wait a minute, now. 2 Mr. Sprague in- haled deeply and sent a rich cloud of smoke through the honeysuckles. “You take my advice, young feller. I’ve raised seven girls, and £ a women some better’n you _ do. I’m that’ s just where Turkington makes his big _ bit. Ort of a new ee for the fad telling -you—and = know—that kinda spoiled Sue—she bein’? the baby, 2 an? | all— “Tl say you. have!” , Sseacted Ww aos = ‘Atta-boy!” 2 Mr. ‘Sprague’ Ss mild bi: ae inkled. ze Now, why can’t you talk you right around her little finger—” He “Oh, what chance have I got, anyway, against a guy that’s been gassed and won medals and flies airplanes for a living? Even Mrs. Sprague rubs it in. ‘Turkington’ Ss her little favorite, all. vight. You don’t see— her making any lemon pies for me. Or ray- _ ing about my eyelashes, or inviting me over to eat waffles Sunday mornings.” -Frown- ing severely, William drew out ‘his watch | and consulted it. “Of course, Turkington’s just boardin’, = soothed Suzanne’s father. “He don’t get home cooked victuals like you do—an’ bein’ an orphan—ma feels kinda sorry for him, _ = guess. Ma’s awful tender-hearted.” > The lady next door launched into an~ : other oe ballad. “Well, I’ve waited long ‘enough, Mr. Sprague, 2 eae pocketed his watch and— Tose. with decision, drawing himself up. to his: full five feet nine. == eT guess: ‘Suzanne Or alse" z « ‘Well, I dunno > —comicbooks col