The Argosy, December 1905 — page 92: what you’re looking at

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

74 to deal with. I’ve received three notices from him already during the last three weeks, and this last one is peremptory. I wonder what he’ll do? Guess Pll have to go and see him at his office to-day as he demands. [’m afraid he'll make trouble for me before long. “Tf only | could borrow a little money to help me out of all this trouble. [ wonder if Perriam—by Jove, I’ve a mind to ask him! Mrs. Jarvis said he was never behind in his payments. *Per- haps he has money. He and I haven’t got along well together lately. For some reason or other he seems sore on me. Still, it may be my imagination. At any rate, any port in a storm. I guess [ll tackle him.” ) He knocked on Perriam’s door. There was no answef. “I suppose he’s -gone out,” mused Ladd. “T’ll leave a note in his room, making a polite _ *touch’? and asking him to leave the money in an envelope in my room if he can spare it.” With this intention he turned the handle of Perriam’s door, which was never locked, and walked in. The first thing he noticed upon enter- ing was the photograph of a girl on the shelf. “Ah,” mused Ladd with a smile, “this must be the lady Mrs. Jarvis spoke of. I wonder if she’s pretty.” Out of mere curiosity he walked over to the picture. As he gazed at it at close range he uttered an exclamation of great surprise. “Great heavens,’ he gasped, “if it isn’t Rosa—my Rosa!” He turned and fled from Perriam’s room with the guilty conscience of a man who had opened another man’s letter. “ Perriam in love with Rosa and L never guessed it!” ke murmured when he had gained his own room. “ Rosa told me something once about throw- ing down another man; but I never guessed for a minute that Perriam was that other man, and she didn’t men- tion the fellows name. Good heavens, how extraordinary! And he still loves her, poor chap! “No wonder he’s been sore on me lately. I wonder if he’s heard about our THE ARGOSY. engagement? Well, I certainly can’t try to borrow-any money of him under the circumstances. Ill have to face Meyer dead broke and trust to luck, that’s all.” ‘aking his hat and the cane he al- ways carried, Arthur went down-town to call on the jeweler. To term it a vol- untary call would not be exactly accu- rate. He had received that morning from the jeweler a letter which informed him that he was three weeks behind in his payments of instalments on the ring, and he, Jacob Meyer, did not propose to wait any longer. - Mr. Ladd must visit his (Mr. Meyer’s) office that day, and be prepared to set- tle his indebtedness to date, otherwise Mr. Meyer ‘would be regretfully com- pelled to take other steps to collect his money. The words “ other steps ” were under- scored in red ink. Arthur Ladd quak- ingly wondered what those other steps would be. Until three weeks previously, the ring transaction had progressed splendidly. Rosa had been delighted when Arthur had placed the flashing gems upon her finger, and had said it was the most beautiful engagement ring she had ever seen. She had never suspected for a minute that it wasn’t all paid for,-and had chided Arthur for spending so much money on her. Arthur had started in to pay his ten dollars, weekly instalments, with prompt regularity. Every week he went up to Mr. Meyer’s office and was affably received. At length, however, the financial strain began to tell. Being engaged to a girl was expensive, even though Rosa realized that he wasn’t earning a big salary and declared herself contented with the simplest entertainments. Arthur began to fall behind in his payments, and when he went to the jeweler’s office to make excuses, Mr. Meyer’s greeting was not pleasant. Arthur hadn’t been near the place now for three weeks, and he felt uncom- fortable when he thought of the threat- ening tone of the jeweler’s last letter. ' However, the music had to be faced, so Arthur, trusting to luck to find a COMmiCooks (C@