Argosy All-Story Weekly, February 12, 1927 — page 161: what you’re looking at

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

TEN. MINUTES FOR TEA. Back in the car again she realized that she had need to make time if she was to be punctual for her appointment. Once she struck town it would be slow going. The car shot ahead as if only too glad to show what it could do. Peggy felt as if she had suddenly acquired a pair of wings She sang out loud for sheer joy. Anger gave place to stubborn determination. For months she had been in prison. What piffle were baked apples compared with banks of purple asters and goldenrod! On passing a crossroad she glimpsed a traffic cop standing by his motor cycle. Then she knew instinctively that he was after her. A race! Nothing could have suited her mood better. Along the road sped the new roadster. Behind it sped the motor cycle. They were nearing the city now and it took careful driving to avoid the increased traffic. In her present mood, Peggy exulted in the extra hazard. Then an idea occurred to her. Why not get arrested? Speeding was not a very serious offense, but it would be something real for Keith to regret. At least, it would be written up in the papers; she would see to that. She chuckled as she thought how Keith would hate it. Imperceptibly she slowed down. Soon the motor cycle must overtake her. She hoped the policeman would not be good natured. A shadow on the road was followed im- mediately by the motor cycle. Peggy jammed on the brake. The motor cycle shot ahead. “ Some momentum,” decided Peggy. A keen glance at the figure ahead and Pegey was conscious of overwhelming dis- appointment, The man was some sort of a messenger, a delivery boy in uniform, not a policeman at all. It was too bad, but it couldn’t be helped. Peggy started up the car and was soon threading her way down the crowded streets of New York. TI. Ir had been a strenuous day, but as Peggy reflected bitterly there had been 155 nothing to justify Grandmother Yarnal’s warning. Why hadn’t she been able to find something to. do that would give Keith a real reason for his grievance? There had been the shops, luncheon, and a matinée. They had left Gladys at her apartment hotel. Now Peggy was on her way farther uptown with Camilla. Then at Seventy-Second Street she got in a bad jam. ‘What time do you expect Tom home?” Tom was Camilla’s husband. Peggy honked impatiently for a big van to move on out of her way. ‘“ He doesn’t get home till late, so I have plenty of time,” replied Camilla, then added enthusiastically. “It has been a_ perfect day—wish we could have more of them.” “The more the merrier,’ answered Peggy. “Do you mean that?” Camilla looked at her companion curiously. “Why not?” asked Peggy. “You see,’ Camilla hesitated, then made up her mind to have it out, “ Keith told Tom that you had given up all things friv- olous. He said that when he came home at night, full of what had been happening, you couldn’t think of anything but whether the pickles were sour enough or the dessert properly sweet. What’s the matter with Keith, Peggy? It’s a shame for him to misrepresent things that way. To-day proves that you are just the same old Peggy that you were before you were married.” “Now, that’s funny,” drawled Peggy ironically, “all the time I’ve been flatter- ing myself that I’d improved.” She was glad that they had reached Camilla’s apartment so that there was no time to pursue the embarrassing subject. Hastily she assured Camilla that she did not bear her any ill will for the very valu- able information she had just conveyed and that they would have another day of festivi- ties soon. She was glad Camilla thought she hadn’t changed and she must be getting along home. _It was a very thoughtful Peggy who drove slowly along the road over which she had raced that morning. Her anger having burned itself out early in the day, Camilla’s Ss chance words refused to be ignored. They (E(0) book (é com