Argosy All-Story Weekly — "Sea Marauders" — page 151: what you’re looking at

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

- HAWAIIAN HEELS. added, “‘ but as for me I think y’ bet- ter get married after spendin’ all night with a man in a cabin.” Slum Ritey appeared. “ There was two of us,” he asserted stoutly. Rova put her arm through Lance’s. “Perhaps I’d better marry only one,” she said and turned to the astounded half-caste as she called, “‘ Mr. Lee, come here.” Joe Bloom was ushered into the bridal suite at the Moana Hotel a week later one morning. He had just stepped from the steamer that came from San Francisco.” His first words were as usual admonitory, “ What’s this [ hear about your being married, Lance?” he demanded. Houston brought Rova_ forward. “ Meet the wife,” he said. Joe grimaced in an attempt at a smile as he took her hand. “I don’t know how it will work out,” he commented. “You're a fine cloud for a honey- moon!” Lance exclaimed. “If it works out like it started, there’s nothin’ to it.” “ But I was thinkin’ of your new con- tract,” the manager protested. “New contract?” Lance queried * What's the matter with the old one?” “We're through with the Noted Stars,” Joe replied. ‘“ They canned you the first week, while the district attor- ney was hollering his head off.” “ Gee,” said Lance. “ Then I s’pose (m through.” “ Not entirely,” Joe explained. “ I’ve got a contract here in my pocket for you to sign with the Master Artists, only [ don’t know what you'll do with the money. We’ll be splitting ten thou- sand a week.” | Lance regarded his manager men- acingly. “‘ Joe,” he accused, “ I believe this whole thing was a put-up job.” ‘Bloom expanded his chest proudly. “Tf you mean gettin’ you out and put- tin’ the cops on your trail, yes. I knew the Noted Stars had put one over on us in that thirty-five hundred contract. 573 You're ‘the best drawing star in pic- tures. Even ten thousand is not enough, but this new contract is only for two years. “T can boost the ten, after that. Your accidental presence at that murder in the Cross-eyed Duck was a lucky break for us. By keeping mighty busy that first day I managed to keep the neces- sary witnesses out of sight, for the dis- trict attorney raised a fierce holler about you. “ Then I apodaced enough who could swear how your gun came on the floor, to clear you entirely. The D. A. pulled down the reward for you ten days ago, but that had turned the trick. The Noted Stars had canceled their con- tract. “That was all [ wanted. We were free again and the market was open. It took me only three days to treble your salary, and I hopped the first boat to come over here and get your signature. That was because I got no answer to my cables. Where were you all the time?” “ Roamin’ around,” said Lance, hold- ing Rova’s hand. ““Romeoin’, you mean,” Bloom re- plied, and then added, “ but there’s one clause in this contract that can’t be lived up to.” “What is it?” Rova asked. Joe took from his pocket a fat type- written document, and after due search located the questionable lines and read, “Tt is hereby agreed that if the party of the second part shall marry at any time during the life of this contract) it will be optional thereupon with the party of the first part to cancel its obli- gations at once.” “But. that’s for the future,” said Lance. ‘ Don’t say nothin’ about be- in’ married already, does it?” “No,” Joe admitted. “All right,” said Lance, his arm around Rova, while she beamed up into his face, “I don’t want to get married no more.” THE END Eomicbooks.e com aa