Argosy All-Story Weekly, February 12, 1927 — page 80: what you’re looking at

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

ee Ie ~. 74 pleased is that this should be very cheerful news for a man who I expect will be here any day now.” ‘““Who’s that?” she asked curiously. “The new managing director. His name is Marcus King and he’s coming on a visit of inspection.” “Ts there anything special to inspect?” she asked. “Yes, for him there’s everything. He’s never been here before and it’s all new. You see, this property has just changed hands, and he represents the new directors.” He paused for a moment, and sent her a critical glance. ‘‘ I’ve more news for you, too.” ‘“‘You’re full of surprises this evening. What is it?” ‘““ He’s bringing his niece with him.” ‘His niece?” she said startled. girl.” ‘She must be a girl if she’s his niece, mustn’t she?” he chuckled. Dorothy’s eyes rounded, and she did not answer at once. The news had aroused in her a more intense interest than he could possibly have imagined, and her mind be- came suddenly charged with questions and curiosity. ‘“‘What’s she like?” she demanded swift- ly, then with a smile: “ But you don’t know, do you?” ‘“‘ Haven’t the faintest idea. It’s a total- ly new managing director and a totally new niece, and I don’t know when they'll arrive except that it may be any day now, nor how long they’re going to stay. But I'll have to make them as comfortable as 1 can and,” here he laughed carelessly, “I sup- pose I’ll have to be more particular about my dress.” She shook her head and looked at him with open admiration. ‘‘ No, I wouldn’t if I were you. You're exactly right as you are, and if it were myself, I’d much pre- fer that you didn’t change anything in that way.” She hesitated a moment, and sent him a provoking look. ‘ But on the other hand perhaps you might as well. I don’t want Mr. King’s niece to like you too much.” “ You overestimate my charms,” he said = eae i — at mae — ae > = =- alee ao ¢ a ae a om - oe eet -. J » ~ < ae > -. a = — ee ae P30 > PES os a “ ———s ARGOSY: ALLSTORY WEEKLY. She — her head again. ‘‘ Do you know one of the nicest things about yeu?” ‘I’m glad there is one. What is it?” ‘“Fhat you don’t overestimate yourself. Are you going to take that girl fishing?” “ You mean the mysterious stranger?” She nodded. | ‘ Yes, if she wants to go. I’ve got to re- member she’s the niece of my managing director who is a person of considerable au- thority.” Well,” said Dorothy with undisguised vexation, “‘ I hope she doesn’t get a single bite!” She went back to her cabin a moment later, scolding herself for feeling suddenly depressed. The last few weeks had been quite ideal, and she resented this unexpect- ed intrusion by a stranger who, in spite of herself, she began to credit with every pos- sible attraction. There was, too, another angle of it, no less disturbing. King’s niece would, with- out question, have such clothes as Dorothy longed for, but never yet possessed. Life in the backwoods had not robbed the daughter of Christopher Parfitt of instine- tive love for dainty things. She saw pic- tures of them in magazines, and dreamed about them. Up until the time when Brent arrived at the Victrix she had admitted that there was little point in dressing daintily for the benefit of such men as inhabited the camp, but the coming of the new manager changed all that. She felt that she knew how to wear beau- tiful things if she had them, and, in the light of the expected visit of another girl, with whose equipment her own would in- evitably contrast unfavorably, she rebelled at being placed at an unfair advantage. But in all this she was only partly right. The charm of the wilderness is not aided by the creations of Paris and Bond Street, and, although she could not realize it, Dor- othy was invariably dressed in the manner that best suited the wild. and dramatic set- ting in which she lived. Her appearance was that of a daughter of the forest, lovely in her soft, rich color, the quick darkness of her eyes and the = see agility p of aes. pe and she nee : > “vate == me as a oa —L = are . —< me SA aes = aft, my . ee. < inna « ie ae En i ; — — - a ae ng — =e ete > = Sage le —F PCSIICHOOK.. com