Argosy All-Story Weekly — page 147: what you’re looking at

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

WHITE DISHONOR. table was set in an alcove. Wade spread some caviare on crisp, hot toast and lifted his glass of champagne. “I thought you were reall lly angry with me to-night. ““T was,” Natalie admitted. “ But you are not angry any more.” He laid his hand on her wrist. “It would not be much use, would it?” His eyes dwelt long on her face. She was a baby with that quaint curly little mouth of hers. She looked so pretty now; quite different from the way she looked at the card table. Amazing how plain even the prettiest woman could look when her luck was out at cards. For a moment in Wade’s mind the protective instinct assert- ed itself. “ You ought never to have gambled so high,” he chided. “‘ In fact, you ought never to gamble at all.” “Tf I hadn’t I shouldn’t be dining here - with you, should [?” “Then I am glad you did.” His fingers tightened on her wrist. She freed her hand. How she wished he wouldn’t paw her about! “What train are you going by to- morrow—the late one?” she asked. Whichever you like.” “JT didn’t say I was coming.” “ Ah, but you are.” Wade’s rather promi- nent eyes twinkled. Natalie said nothing, but her thought was: ‘“ The man’s a fool.” They finished their partridge and came to the peaches. A space in the center of the room had been cleared for dancing. Wade, as a matter of fact, was not quite such a fool. He did not think Natalie liked him. It would have been odd, after all his experience, if he had not become a fair judge of whether a woman was attracted by him or not. During dinner he formed a decided opinion that Natalie was not at- tracted .by- him. This was very worrying. All the same, he thought she might go to the south of France. He would try to find out a little more about this husband left behind in Africa. She had married the fellow for love—must have done so, for he had no money—and a woman must be pretty fond of a fellow to go and live with him in the back of be- | Much depended on — yond for two years. how matters had shaped since. ‘How did you like it in Uganda?” he asked, “Tt is a wonderful country.” spoke without enthusiasm. ‘You'll be glad to get back there?” “Tf am not going back.” Wade looked at her keenly. Natalie could read the thoughts in his muddy mind. Natalie He wanted to find out how she got on with her husband. It was the first “thing that type of man tried to do. “Not going back? Has your husband given up his interest out there?” ‘He hasn’t any, except drink.” Natalie looked down at her plate. Wade controlled his surprise, for that Natalie was unhappily married was: news indeed. ‘Let us talk of something else,” she said, taking a quick, comprehensive survey of Wade’s face. — ‘““T suppose that was why you started didn’t know what to do with RS gambling; yourself.” ‘* Perhaps.” proprietary hand. Natalie quickly pushed back her chair, — ““ Let’s dance,” she suggested. They danced and-ialcaa and danced til a the time came for the restaurant to close. “Like to go on anywhere else?” asked Wade. my luck again.” ‘¢ Now look here.” would only lose more. Make up your mind to give it a rest; do.” : If only the man would stop pawing her. Natalie felt she would hit him in the face in a minute. However, she controlled herself and did not move. ‘“ Just once more,” she said. *“ No,” answered Wade. “ My luck might change.” _ That was just what Wade was thinking. If it did, he would lose her; and if it didn’t, oO Comicbooks - 457 Natalie looked a little sad. Sa “ Poor kid.’ Wade stretched out a semis <= “ T'd like to go back to the club and ny ae: Wade took her arm. “Tm going to tell you something. You — are out of luck. If you played again you it’s the only thing to ° i, . WARK at oe come Ro! ht ey ‘ ah ane 7 ae SR! De Dent sted wre of: EAs nee Kot Ad) ARS tow ray bony co