Argosy All-Story Weekly, February 18, 1928 — page 121: what you’re looking at

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

SOMETIMES PRETENDING’S RISKY. story. Some guy’s goin’ to say he’s Trev- ington and go to the fancy ball—” “This is the fellow who did it?’ Dick was pointed at. “Nix!” O’Shaughnessy shook his head. “This guy’s a poor simp!” Furious, Dick gaped at him, but at a sign from Anna he did not interrupt. ‘The fellow we were lookin’ for has a flock o’ names. I had him spotted as a crook when he took Room 706. But he checks out at seven o’clock to-night and takes his bags and baggage—after he pays his bill.” “The fellow who ordered the costume— and later canceled it? You may be clever, O’Shaughnessy. I don’t get the big idea?”’ “That’s because you're stupid,” the house detective sniffed. ‘‘ He must have got on to the fact that we had our eyes on him. If this guy had brought him the cos- tume, we’d have known that we were right, ““The fellow was slick enough to drop his two admission cards down at Simon Bloom’s. When he finds the game is up, he phones and stops delivery before the costume comes. He knew that if he took it in—and he had the admission cards— we'd nab him on the spot.” “Well, since he’s gone, what’s the idea of these two dressing up?” “ That’s something for the police to learn. It’s too much for a house detective.” O’Shaughnessy glanced at Anna with a good-natured grin. “ You tell him, sister,” he advised. ‘‘ You’d better come through with the truth.” ‘“‘ What she says can be used against her,” warned the man behind the desk. ‘‘ What she says could be used against a saint!’”? O’Shaughnessy exploded. ‘‘ Miss Anna’s as square as she’s pretty. What she’s up to, I don’t know.” “ Thank you,” said Anna gratefully, and turned toward the sergeant. Quietly she told him how they had come to go to the ball. “I suppose it was very foolish—but it seemed an opportunity too tempting to resist.” The precinct sergeant grinned. “ All right, kiddo!” He nodded his head. ‘“ Take THE 919 your beau and go on home. Both of you're discharged.” ‘* Please,” she slyly winked at him, “ may I speak to you alone?” “Tl say you can!” The sergeant beamed in spite of his amazement at this strange request. ‘‘ O’Shaughnessy, take the actor here, and your heavy-footed guys, in- to the next room.” At a gesture from Anna, O’Shaughnessy — did as he was bidden. Perplexed, and growing angry, Dick went with them in a state of stunned bewilderment. He wondered what Anna was going to do, but the three detectives led him quickly out of earshot. ‘“ What is it, sister?” the sergeant asked. ‘““Are you hankerin’ to have this guy spend some time in jail?” ‘“Oh, no!” she protested winsomely. “But I don’t want him released. Can’t you hold him on probation—or is it on parole? You see, I knew from O’Shaugh- nessy what was bound to happen. I wanted to explain to Dick, but he wouldn’t let me. So I never said a word and went. I thought it might teach him a lesson.” “Yeah?” the sergeant questioned. ‘“ Whaddye mean a lesson?” ‘Dick’s always pretending he’s some- thing that he really isn’t. JI want him to cut out dreaming—and get down to work.” ‘So he can buy you a wedding ring?” The officer smiled at her. “Yes,” Anna said demurely. |“ Can’t you hold him for the magistrate—and get him to make Dick promise that he won’t pretend or bluff—just be his own real self?” There was earnest appeal in her tone—an emotion that stirred the official. “T can!” he said and chuckled. ‘“ The judge is a good sport. You go stay with the matron, and I'll have your beau locked up. In the morning the judge’ll give him the choice of a month out on the island— or a wedding here in court. But, daughter, are you certain that you want this bird?” ‘Oh, ves! boasting and be natural.” Anna blushed and nodded. Then her blue eyes sparkled. ‘Sometimes pretending’s risky,” she said. ‘So I won’t pretend I don’t. = END | Eomicboo If he'll just be himself—quit. <SiGO