The Argosy, December 1905 — page 97: what you’re looking at

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

NO WAY OUT. is what put the murderous thought in his head. Poorlad! I may have driven him to it! Wo isme! But I can’t be- lieve he did it; I can’t believe it, Mr. Perriam.” “ Your confidence is exceedingly com- mendable, but unfortunately the facts are all against him, Mrs. Jarvis,” replied Perriam coldly. “And will they arrest him?” asked the horrified Mrs. Jarvis. “They expect to, in afew hours. He can’t get very far away. The police have the drag-net out for him. MHasn’t he showed up here at all?” “Not since he left the house this morning. Oh, poor young man! Poor young man! I hope they_won’t catch him, I really do.” Perriam shrugged his shoulders im- patiently and climbed up-stairs to his room. When he came down half an hour later he had changed his clothes, even to his hat. He called a cab and told the man to drive him to a house situated in the sixties. The cab drew up before a _ plain- looking brown-stone house, the resi- dence of Mr. Robert Adrian, silk mer- chant. “Mr. Adrian in?” inquired Perriam of the maid-servant who answered the ring. “ Yes, sir. He has,just arrived home from down-town. What name, please? ” The reporter took out a card-case and extracted therefrom a pasteboard, neatly engraved: Mr. Ricnwarp PERRIAM. The Star. T'wo minutes afterwards the servant reappeared and told the reporter that Mr. Adrian would be pleased to see him in the library. Perriam followed the girl up-stairs. ‘Hello, Perriam!” said Adrian cor- dially, as the reporter entered. “How are you? Glad to see you. Have a seat, and make yourself comfortable. Here, have a smoke. They’re imported, and good.” “This is purely a business visit, Mr. Adrian,” said Perriam gravely. aed (SS 79 want you to bear in mind that what I have to say to you now is said only in my capacity as representative of the Star “You used to be glad enough to come here in your personal capacity once upon a time, it seems to me,” said the old man with a chuckle. “I know,” replied Perriam, wincing, “but you know why I ceased visiting the house, Mr. Adrian, .and it’s not ex- actly fair for you to mention those days. I have been trying my hardest to forget them.” “Well, well. It was only my joke, young man. I didn’t think I was going to make you feel bad. I thought you had forgotten all about Rosa by this time. “You must not feel sore at her. A woman’s heart is an uncontrollable thing, you know. “First of all, when you came around to the house to interview me, and I in- troduced you to Rosa, I thought she kind of took to you. It seems, however, that I was mistaken. Well, it can’t be helped. “You had my good wishes, and if you had succeeded in winning Rosa you’d have got my consent, for I think a father should let his daughter marry where her heart is set, provided it’s a man of good character. Now, it seems since Rosa refused you she has gone and fallen in love with a certain young fel- “ Arthur Ladd.” “Exactly. Do you know him?” “It is about him that I have come to speak to you, Mr. Adrian.” “Ah, you want to tell me something against his character,” said the old man sharply. “I again remind you of the fact that I am speaking purely in my capacity as reporter for the Star,’ said Perriam hastily. “I don’t want you to think for a second that I would come here per- sonally to injure a successful rival in love.” “ Proceed,” said Adrian. “ First, I must ask you a question. Is Arthur Ladd formally betrothed to your daughter Rosa ? ” “ Conditionally, he is.” COMmMiClooolkX (C@