Argosy All-Story Weekly, February 12, 1927 — page 81: what you’re looking at

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

- THE CRUCIBLE. in fact, no other adornment than her in- stinctive taste had already provided. That night after supper, she looked thoughtfully at her father, who sat, smok- ing silently, a contented expression on his large and rather puffy face. Parfitt was generally regarded in camp as one who wanted to be left alone and had not many friends, the few exceptions being a small group which gathered regularly after every pay day and spent the night over cards. When not thus occupied, most of his spare time was passed in the cabin, where he took hardly any exercise. He seemed afraid of a canoe. He was a queer, remote character, with little about him that was attractive, and in his life were two great passions. He craved the excitement of gambling, and loved his daughter with all his soul. This evening there was a long pause in their talk, during which he became aware of the girl’s earnest gaze. ‘“ Dad,” she said suddenly, “ can you let me have some money?” He put down his pipe. ““ Money? There’s nothing to spend it on here. Do you want to bring something in from outside?” “ Tt couldn’t be anything else, could it?” He smiled indulgently. ‘* How much do you want?” “ Could I have a hundred and fifty dol- lars?” He whistled. pay.” ‘“‘T know it is—but I’ve never asked you for anything like that before.” “No,” he admitted, “ that’s true. do .you want to buy?” “That’s my secret, but I think you'll be satisfied when you see the result.” He glanced at her with a touch of anxie- ty. ‘Id like to give it to you, Dot, but don’t see how I can.” | Her expression took on a queer determi- nation. ‘“ How much money do you think you spend over cards every month?” Parfitt flushed and began to feel hot. “ Nothing like that, but, isn’t that my af- fair?” “Perhaps, and now I’m speaking of mine, which may be just as important.” “ Tf youll make it fifty dollars,” he coun- tered, as yy try and manage it, z “ That’s nearly a month’s What 75 Dorothy looked slightly contemptuous, and a retort trembled on her lips. Then, suddenly, she checked herself and gave a careless laugh. “I suppose you’ve heard the exciting news?” “No,” he said indifferently. ‘‘ What is itp” “About the new managing director who’s coming up here to inspect the prop- erty?” Parfitt lost: his indifference and sat up straight. ‘‘ Who told you that?” “Mr. Brent, just a little while ago. You remember you told me that the old owners had sold the Victrix last: month.” Parfitt nodded. ‘‘ Go on.” “Well, a Mr. King is on his way here, and’ may arrive at any time. Mr. Brent says he’s going to make the closest possible examination—of everything.” Little flecks of color crept into Parfitt’s fat cheeks and, sitting motionless, he looked strangely soft and unhealthy. From eyes half closed, he sent his daughter a slow, searching stare. She wondered why he should be thus affected. ‘Did Brent say anything else?” he haz- arded, after a long pause. “No, not about that, except that Mr. King’s niece was coming, too.” Parfitt frowned. “Why should she come?” “I haven’t the faintest idea, but she is, and Mr. Brent is wondering ow he can make her comfortable.”’ Parfitt pulled himself together. ‘ On,” he said shortly, “now I begin to under- stand.” “Understand what?” little. “Why you want a hundred and fifty dollars.” “T thought perhaps you would,” she said shrewdly. ““Jt’s for clothes.” “ Dad,” she said, with a certain quiet impressiveness behind which moved all her resolution, “‘I don’t think I’ve ever been unreasonable in what I asked, and I want that money more than I’ve wanted any- thing in my life. You don’t understand what it means to a girl to be without cer- The girl smiled a tain Pe ba Sie for the first = | = yo “ Sees Ge rae > ~ sai a = 5 - ~ oe aS es ma oF ~~ = eomicbOo ke com Se +? Se = ; = a SNS