Argosy All-Story Weekly — page 86: what you’re looking at

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

— I made an idiot of myself. Been nkir ng it over, sweetheart, and I under- Somebody there wants 3 And now I’ve got to aie x = ec an T’ll see e you at ten. - You’ll be home t or— ne Can William cried sharply. ‘Why Damn! ? William ows move. She was, in fact, about to , rl the whole truth into the very teeth of is eccentric lady in the armchair. Truth, all unsupported, had not been able to travel sf which, of course, for depth and power, Se oe ‘been known since the beginning of th the Suen could and should sweep “Yes! And—” ‘‘ And you couldn’t see him at ten, either, could you?” Mrs. Stone muttered on, and suspicion leaped to her countenance and smoldered there quite threateningly. “‘ Look here, young woman, how many strings does this bow of yours require?” ““Er—what?” Cynthia faltered. “Cynthia, there’s something I’d much better tell you now than later! If there is one thing in this wide world which I abhor and abominate, it is the woman who plays fast and loose with a good man’s love! She’s worse—she’s a damned sight worse! — than the man who does the same thing with women!” the lady cried, hotly. criticize Neville when I feel like it; that’s my affair. ond that you were playing with him, or engaged to him because he had money and that you were even capable of being in- terested in any one else—by crickey, Cyn- thy! I’d sweat you straight into jail for stealing my pin, and you’d get less than you deserved! I would, young woman! That’s a weak spot with me, that sort of thing is!” Mrs. Stone puffed in conclu- sion. She also banged her cane. Cynthia mere- ly nodded. The good old truth seemed to have retired somewhat groggily to its cor- ner, to have something rubbed on its new bruises. Nor was the elder lady calming so very rapidly; she muttered and mumbled, shaking her head now and then. But at last she smiled grudgingly. “Well, well! I was young myself once upon a time,” she reflected. ‘I suppose you’re too pretty not to have been a bit of a flirt,’ she observed, tolerantly enough, “ But, Cynthia!” ie Yes?” “Tt ‘ll be just as well to realize that you’re all done with that now! Keep your friends, of course, but—be sure they’re only friends. You understand what I mean?” Miss Blair could no more than nod. The smile grew less grudging; now, indeed, as she beckoned, Mrs. Stone cast off all the severe effect and grew genial again. ‘““So that matter’s out of the way, too,’” she said gently. — comicboc “Tt may But if I thought for one sec- “Now come over and sit down anak tell me about yourself, —