The Argosy, December 1905 — page 128: what you’re looking at

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

A MONTH IN MASQUERADE.’ BY EDGAR FRANKLIN. The cue from Fate that was handed out to a man down on his luck, why he felt compelled to act on it, and the risk he ran in the process. SYNOPSIS OF CHAPTERS PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED. JOHN DUNCAN is a young New York architect down on his luck. One night while walking about the lower part of the city, he has occasion to aid an elderly gentleman who has been set upon by thugs. The gentleman is mortally injured, but before he dies he gives Duncan a roll of bills footing up $7,000 anda photograph, with incoherent directions about “ Henry,” and swearing Duncan to secrecy. After three or four days the body is identified as “ William Smith” by an unknown man. Duncan banks the money and awaits developments. On examining the photograph, he finds that it bears a strong resemblance to himself. The name “Henry Alvin” is written across the back. A few days later he is accosted in the street by a stranger who calls him “Henry,” speaks about his family, and begs him to return and do as his uncle desires. Duncan makes an appointment with him at the office of a big iron company known the length of the nation, and there, despite his protestations, he is introduced to the other members of the firm as “Mr. Henry Alvin, who has returned to us to take his place at the head of the International Iron Company.” Morley, the stranger aforesaid, who turns out to be the company’s secretary, instructs Duncan as to his duties. He learns in this way that the man whom he saw die was one Fraim, the head of the Inter- national, who had been searching for his missing nephew and who was now supposed to be absent in Europe. Chambers and another member of the firm are scheming in Fraim’s absence, to run the company for their own ends. ‘his would precipitate a panic, according to Morley, and Alvin is needed as a reas- suring head. Duncan accepts the responsibilities, and presently ascertains that one of them necessitates his engag- ing himself to Beatrice Morrison, who holds the controlling shares in the company Chambers is seeking to obtain. Duncan is in love with Louise Havers, of whom he has made a confidant. She sees in the papers the announcement of his betrothal to Miss Morrison, and writes to Duncan to ask if it is true. CHAPTER XI. THE PRICE SOARS. 6¢7-* OME at once and tell me.” Duncan jumped from his chair with a great determination. He would go and tell her! He would dash to her as fast as wheels could carry him, and tell her that it was not the truth. He crossed quickly to the bell, to ring for his man; his finger touched the button—and dropped away again. The papers were telling only the ab- solute truth. Not twenty-four hours back he him- self had gone to Beatrice Morrison and asked her to become his wife. More than that, he had done ‘it in full pos- session of all his senses, and while in love with another girl. The enormity of the situation over- * This story begaw in the October issue of THE ARGOSY. came Duncan. He staggered back to his chair and dropped. He could not go to Louise and tell her that the story was untrue—that was an impossibility. He would not de- ceive her, and he could not, for from now on the society reporters would keep the most minute track of his affairs and the public would be regaled»daily with most things that occurred between him- self and Beatrice, and many more that did not. From his place at the bottom of the ladder in the old days Duncan had seen similar affairs handled in the press, and he knew. But was he simply to maintain silence and allow Louise to draw her own con- clusions? That would be equally im- possible. No, he would go to her and relate the whole situation. He-would tell her The two back numbers will be mailed to any address on receipt of 20 cents. Go OOOKKS AMUG (C@