Argosy All-Story Weekly, Vol. 123, No. 3 — page 77: what you’re looking at

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

BEWARE OF PR wait here and slip im when you’ve !»? “~ Mary, it couldn't be ‘doné without a long argument, which would take “time, or a brilfrant idea of some kind—and I don’t seem strong on briffiant ideas this eve ning,” Thomas said ‘firmly. “Did. you hear that clock strike quarter of ten?” “Yes! What time is it now?” “It must be almost ten o’clock! If you want to make that tram, Mary, shut the liet of that infernal helmet and let’s chance going out together. If Steers gets th our path, Heaven help him. Shall we start?” He watted with commendable patience, while’ the beautiful eyes within the iron hat snapped at him—winked more rapidty and grew moist. ‘“‘T don’t mean to be cross, but that was horrible!” said Mary. “Ism't there axyp way of getting that drefs and getting me - out of this?” “Tf there was, I’d cheerfully break my neck to find it for yof, Mary. There isn’t —if you’re going to make that tem twenty- two!” The yizor dropped of its own accord From the depths of the helmet issued a strange, catehamg Kittle sob. “ All right, bast—TFomey !” 6c Yes?” . “ You won't let amy ame ele bat me?” Mary asked shakity, aad it was prebalty the eddest request,of her Bele. “When they do, you'll know that I’m dead!” stated young Mr. Henning. “¢ Shall we start?”’ The helmet nodded slightly. He tucked a reassuring hand under~the mailed arm and led its owner to the door, and there he paused for a moment. and scanned the balt room. They were ‘not dancing just now, and neither Eforace Steers nor Dolffy was m sight. People chatted in lxtte knots and at a distance. Indeed, save for the Jester and the Chinese coolie over there, and the half-dozen gay young men who insisted upon being beaten by the Jester’s swinging . bladder, the way to the entrance was pleas- antly clear. Thomas even permitted himself a smite. “I think we can do it nicely,” he: mar- THE - BRIDE. 359 mured to the helmet. “We'll just stroll along, you knew. Now!” He gave a squeeze of the reassuring hand anc stepped out, with the knight dragging oddly beside birt. Nonchalantly, careless- eve- , ly went. Thomas, chatting im an undertone about nothing under the sun anct—the Chinese coolie pointed suddenty and cried: ‘ There’s the husky old knight! There’s the boy we’ve been looking for!” _ Young Mr. Henning’s heart paused’; for an instant he meditated headlong‘ flight with Mary—but while this weuld have been feasible enough with a hand-truck upon which to load Mary and her present evening-gown, it was out of the question on foot. Himself a decidedly powerful young man, it had been Thomas’s impres- sion that the garment was almgst feather- like; on Mary it seemed to weigh about ore ton! | Young Mr. Henning, then, turned slight- ly dazed and dizzy~~ Even as these few thoughts had raced through his head, the group had surrounded them, surging and pushmg and all abubble with life and the spirit of the oceasion. And it was the coolie who laid a heavy, fraternal hand wpon Mary’s shoulder-plate and said: ‘What ho, knight! We need you in our business!” ‘“ Welt—” Thomas essayed. “ This is a great ball,, but it lacks speed = in the imtermmisstons, King Arthur,” the Jes- ter explaimed cheerily. “ We're the special committee om petting pep into intermis- sions, just organized, and we're going to hold a meeting of the prize costumes and give a five-minute march of ’em!” “And the first award’s a soldering kit, knight—handiest thing you ever saw for a suit ke that!” added the genial coolie. “Right up this way with the rest of us, ptease! » _ He setaed the armor om one side. A giant Zubr setrzed it upon the other. The armor rattled amd reetfed. ly. “ Phat fellow—” “Who’s the plain persor in. the simple white shirt?” the coolie inquired, pausing only a second. “ What do you represent? | The iceman?” ‘‘ Wait a minute!’” Thomas said hearse-~ Origin = from 5A JOO S C@ THE OHIO S