The Argosy, December 1905 — page 88: what you’re looking at

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

70 enough money to purchase Rosa a pack- age of hairpins. He staggered through the streets and into the office of Skinner & Wheeler to be confronted by an excited group, con- sisting of the managing clerk, the two draftsmen, and the office boy. “You're a fine tipster, you are,” be- gan the managing clerk angrily. “So Alexis was your sure thing, was he? I’ve lost twenty dollars by that sure thing.” “ve lost ten dollars,” of the draftsmen. “T’ve lost five,” eried the other. “T’ve lost fifty cents,” whimpered the office boy. “*Get in good, you advised us,” snorted the managing clerk. “ Oh, yes, we got in good, all right, confound you and your tips. You ought to be hanged, Ladd.” “For heaven’s sake, don’t,” groaned Arthur, sinking wearily into his chair. “ Cut out that howling over a few piker bets. I gave you what I thought was a straight tip. How could I tell that what I considered was my best source of in- formation would go back on- me? Heavens, I’ve been stung much harder than any of you! I’ve lost every cent I have in the world, and I’m afraid I’ve lost the girl 1 was going to marry be- sides.” There was almost a sob in his voice as he uttered the words. “Gad!” exclaimed the managing clerk in surprise. “ Did it hit you as hard as that, Ladd? I’m sorry. Don’t take on about it, old man. Better luck next time.” As has been intimated, Arthur Ladd was not of a pessimistic nature. He sat at his desk for two hours brooding over his misfortune and thinking what he would do to Pete Murray if he should come across him, and how much real pleasure it would give him to do it. A newsboy came in with the sporting editions of the evening papers, and Arthur took one. Yes, the pool-room man had indeed spoken the truth. Alexis had not even been in the showing. The whole front page of the paper was devoted to the story of the great race. growled one THE ARGOSY. It described Pioneer’s work as a truly splendid performance. Was not Alexis mentioned in the story at all? Oh, yes. See, here was a whole line about him. Arthur ladd read the line and laughed aloud; he couldn’t help laugh- ing. That line of type appealed so strongly to his sense of humor. aie ma Dene clerk looked at bim in surprise. “What's the joke?” he growled. “'You’ve been brooding these two hours, and now you're laughing.” “T was laughing to read that Alexis came in last. That strikes me as being so funny. Yesterday somebody warned me against playing the races, and called me a gambler. Ha, ha, ha! I’m not a gambler, I’m a lunatic. Some- body ought to apply for a warrant and commit me to an asylum.” There was only the faintest sugges- tion of bitterness in his laugh. Ladd’s buoyant spirits were rapidly asserting themselves again. When, a second later, he remembered that that very night he must go to Rosa without the diamond ring he had prom- ised her—without any betrothal ring at all, in fact—the laugh froze on his lips. cc Good heavens,” “he eroaned, “ what am I going to do? I’ve got to get that ring somehow, that’s certain.” Even as he said the words, his eyes fell upon an advertisement in the eve- ning paper before him. He read eagerly: Dramonps—Easy terms. J ewelry of all kinds. Strictest privacy guaranteed. Best bargains in the city. Jacob Meyer, 915 Nassau Street. “The very thing!” he ejaculated. “ What a fool I was not to think of that before. The instalment plan, of course. So much down and so much a week. Rosa shall have her ring, after all. ‘ Strictest privacy guaranteed.’ She will never know. ll go around and see Mr. Jacob Meyer right away.” On his way to 915 Nassau Street, he stepped into a store which bore the sign of the three brass balls, and exchanged his gold watch for fifty dollars and a ticket. A quarter of an hour later he was entering the office of Mr. Jacob Meyer. Go VTOO AMUC SS (C@