Argosy All-Story Weekly, Vol. 123, No. 4 — page 76: what you’re looking at

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

582 his sincerity with: ‘‘ How many rooms have you got here, anyhow?” “‘ Six and two baths.” “You don’t say!” muttered the visitor, and sauntered into the music-room in the most casual fashion. ‘ Cozy little corner, this one, isn’t it?” ‘We thought it was the coziest in town,” said Thomas, following with a step as in- different as might be. ‘“ Nothing’s in shape here yet, of course, Bill. You really can’t tell what things will look like later. Here’s the little hall that runs down the middle. Here’s what will be my den.” He stepped in! He switched on the lights! He even beamed, inviting William’s approval; and Mr. Emerson shot a keen eye eye from the burlap-shrouded desk to the burlap-shrouded chairs—from the wrap- ping-paper still upon the huge new couch over to the little pile of excelsior in the corner. There was a powerful smell of newness and long-confined fresh varnish in that room which suggested that it had not been opened in days; and perhaps this thought appealed to William, for he turned, sent his gaze down the dark corridor and waited for Thomas to close the door again! “‘ Dining-room right over here,’ William explained, almost blithely, and turned on more lights. ‘ Peach, Bill?” “T should say it was!” said William as he glanced behind the sideboard. “ And, coming over here again, we find the main bedroom — twenty-two by twenty!” Once more he punched a button. Once more William Emerson entered a room just a thought too suddenly. William’s brows were queerly contracted, too. He looked ‘about and walked directly to the closet, which he threw open with: “ Lots of closet room, too, Tom!”’ “ As a matter of fact, that’s the only real one in the place, Bill,” Thomas said depre- catingly, and shaded a yawn. “ That’s the only kick Delly made when we decided on this apartment. Still, you can’t have every- thing, I suppose. Come and see the kitchen!” He led the way, himself humming just now. Proudly, he waved a hand, indicating ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. something less than an acre of white tiling, disposed upon walls and floors. ‘“Maid goes with, this, if we can catch her, of course,” he explained. ‘‘ Here’s the little cubby-hole where she’s supposed to sleep when off duty. Neat?” ' Further electricity blazed in the tiny room behind. William sauntered straight in and looked around—gazed down the hall again—and smiled suddenly. It was an unfathomable smile, too. One might al- most have thought that an overwhelming oppression had been lifted from William’s soul! “Yes, it’s a dandy little place all the way through, Tom!” he said heartily. ‘‘ Look- ing this over, I’m less inclined to build a whole house when we do get back.” “Oh? You're not back for good, then?” Thomas asked politely. ‘‘ Come back where I keep the real chairs and tell me about it, Bill!” He led the way. He opened the cigar- ette-box again and pointed to the big chair beside the little smoking-stand, and _ this time William Emerson dropped lazily, natu- rally, into the upholstery. “No, I’m just making a lightning visit, Tom,” he explained. ‘I can’t stay here more than five minutes. ‘“ It—er—just struck me, as I passed, that some one who wrote me recently from the office said Pete Noble lived up here and I thought I’d look in on him for a second or two.” “ He’s off somewhere or other to-night, I believe.” ‘““ He seems to be. I had no idea that you lived here until I saw your name on the little plate outside,” William pursued. “Pete, of course, is all married and settled down now?” “Yes, Pete married Sally Bond and they’re as happy as.they make ’em. How’s Mary, by the way?” ‘* Oh, Mary’ s fine!” William said snoutl “ She’ S in town.” “Mary? Here? In_ town?” echoed Thomas Henning, astonishment all but overcoming him. ‘“‘ Came on ahead to see her folks,” ex- plained Mary’s husband, and flicked the ash from his cigarette. “I thought you might have run across her?”’ ly. Or ae fro NGG lODOOK ClO} uh CO THE i | OHIO STATE UNI