Argosy All-Story Weekly, July 11, 1925 — page 41: what you’re looking at

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

GOTHAM, THE “She sure did! Oh, boy! Some girl! -You lucky dog! I’d have hired her myself if you hadn’t. If you weren’t a friend of mine I think I’d have taken her away from you at that. As it was I told her you were the salt of the earth. Said I didn’t know what your mysterious new deal .was, but that you had all kinds of backing in Rochester, and stood ace high with every- body here.” “ Thanks awfully, George. Say, listen. Do you mean what you say about hiring her?”’ “What do you mean? hired her?”’ : ‘Yes, but the fact is I’ve got to renig. My deal’s hung fire, and I can’t put her on for an indefinite time and I can’t afford to hold her. Will you take her off my hands?” ‘ Will I? Will a pup gnaw a bone? That is if she can work as well as she talks and looks. At that I’d pay quite a lot to have her around as an ornament.” ‘“‘She’s as good as she looks. her.” “Send her around. I’ve been putting up with a false alarm for months because I couldn’t find anything better. she come?’ “To-morrow at nine, changed her mind.” “Fine! Ill fire that oil can of mine this p.M. See you and her in the morning. Got to run now.” “ All right, old boy, but listen. I warn you now that as soon as I get landed here right I'll get her away from you.” Mersereau eyed him curiously. “You think quite a lot of that young lady, don’t you, Tommy?” “Don’t you?” Ferris asked. They looked into each other’s eyes search- ingly for a moment, then both laughed. “Tut! Tut!” Mersereau chuckled. “A fine pair of moon calves we are over a girl we’ve seen once each. We both regard. her strictly in a business light, of course. All right, Tommy, the war’s on. And may the best man win.” But Tom Ferris, at least, felt something deeper than their banter implied, though he tried to scoff at himself for it. He’d made good with the girl and saved his Haven't you I’ve tried if she hasn’t When can | GOAT-GETTER., dignity pretty well. What more did he want? He couldn’t answer that question. The question was there harder than ever when he met Ruth’ Dennison in Mersereau’s anteroom next morning. A week of rest and food had completed the miracle his cautious luncheon had begun. He hadn’t dreamed she could be so pretty. But he. swallowed hard and gave her briefly the explanation that had satisfied Mersereau. Her expression puzzled him as he talked. He couldn’t tell whether she was glad or sorry, angry or not. She seemed to be studying his face and waiting for him to Say more. 3 Mersereau came in at that moment, and greeted her cordially. “* What’s the verdict?” he asked. “‘ Have you decided to give us a trial?” ‘““Why—why, yes,” she agreed. “I sup- pose so. I haven’t anything else in mind. I am sorry your plans went wrong, Mr. Ferris, I hope you will get them straight- ened out soon.” “Thanks. I told Mr. Mersereau I’d be around after you again before long. Good juck to you. I'll have to run now.” And he fled abruptly. That was over. Now he could look after his own affairs. Got to borrow a little coin and stick it out until he landed something. Catch him mak- ing a fool of himself over a girl again! Mersereau could have her. Then he found himself staring in a restau- rant window just as he had seen Ruth Dennison doing a week ago. It was mad- dening, but he couldn’t leave it. The mingled fumes of taxicabs and steaming asphalt acted as ether to his swim- ming senses: The rumble of the city seemed to be growing dim for a moment. But he pulled himself together and tried to think. Let’s see. Who would he tackle first for a little money? Not Mersereau! His new secretary might find it out. And then some one touched his elbow. “Oh, Mr. Ferris, I was afraid I’d missed you!” It was Ruth Dennison herself. “You forgot I owe you fifteen dollars that you advanced me,” she went on, breath- lessly. “ Mr. Mersereau happened to have it handy in even bills in his pocket and let — “cOmicboo 195 S. com |