Argosy All-Story Weekly, February 12, 1927 — page 163: what you’re looking at

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

TEN the radio reached her. It was a lively dance, the dinner music from some hotel. Ah, Keith was entertaining some of his new friends. But why in the dark? She listened for the shuffle of feet, but all was silent except for the music. Quickly crossing the hall, she glanced in the living room. It was dark and deserted. The music sounded uncanny, unpleasantly loud and jazzy in the empty room. “ Must have left the radio on all night.” But Peggy did not take time to go in and turn it off. ‘Too much dissipation for one day when I was not used to it, and its making me nervous.” Peggy shook herself mentally and physically as she walked quickly along the hall. Glancing in each room in turn, she made quite sure the house was empty. It had never seemed lonely or gloomy before. She wandered slowly back along the hall wondering if she had lost her chance. Just one more, she asked of fate, and she would make good. Then the music of the radio forced itself on her consciousness as being unbearable. She must turn it off. It was driving her wild with its insistent repetition. She turned back to the living room. Half way across she put a quick hand over her mouth to keep back a startled scream. From the shadow of the couch she was passing rose a dark silhouette. It couldn’t be Keith. Keith would have had several lights going. She stood still, scarcely breathing. : The figure stood still. They seemed to be waiting and watching each other for an eternity. At last, when she thought she could stand it no longer, the man spoke. Although the voice was strained and unnatural she recognized it as Keith’s. “T didn’t hear you come in. I wanted all the noise I could get to drown out the cry of the children.” “There are no children,” said Peggy, startled. ‘Let me light up and you can see—it’s just I—Peggy.” “You don’t know,” and Keith sank to the couch with a groan. Peggy switched on the nearest light, then glanced questioningly at her husband. os = ats SB * — => - aa ee MINUTES FOR TEA. 157 He sat bent over on the couch, elbows on knees, his head in his hands. Peggy came quickly and sat down beside him. “Tell me about it.” There was a world of sympathy in her voice. Her chance had come more quickly than she had dared hope. She took Keith’s hands and pulled them gently away from his head. They were hot and feverish. As she held them firmly be- tween her cool palms she was thinking rapidly. She would humor him, then beguile him quietly to bed. At the earliest opportunity she would summon the doctor. She reproached herself bitterly. It must be that Keith had been overworking him- self lately. “It is not so loud since you are here,” continued Keith, “‘ but before you came [ thought those pitiful cries would drive me mad.” ‘““[’m so sorry i was late in getting back.” The ringing of the phone cut her off, ‘They promised to call me up from the hospital,” went on Keith, hoarsely. ‘“ You answer it, Peggy. I couldn’t bear to’ hear it if it is bad news.” Quickly going to the phone, Peggy as- sured the voice at the other end that she was answering for Mr. James. After getting the message she repeated it, to be sure she had it right. “The doctor says the younger boy is resting comfortable and will pull through if there are no complications; the older boy’s hurts are not serious.” Then she returned to Keith and again sat beside him with new understanding of his troubles. “There’s been an accident?” she asked anxiously. ‘‘ You were not hurt, Keith?” “Haven't [ told you about it yet?” groaned her husband. “I’ve been going over it and over it wondering if I could possibly have done anything different to prevent the thing.” He had been coming out from town early as he was very anxious to see Morris, the contractor, about the country house they were doing over. A car shot out from a crossroad on the left. It was a new car, SS i _ comic 0) com ’ Pal pe ee = — = ie =, lr net ol ase — J Ce ce .. ger - » Yoyo} <j