The Argosy, January 1906 — page 111: what you’re looking at

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

NO WAY OUT. desk he muttered: “‘ Deal gently with her, said her father. Did she deal gently with me? She deserves to suffer as she has made me suffer. This news- paper publicity will break her proud spirit, and, when Ladd is caught and put out of the way, she perhaps will be only too glad to turn to me. All is fair in love and war.” CHAPTER VI. FLIGHT. MEANWHILE, what of Arthur Ladd? Mr. Adrian’s maid had told the truth in saying that Miss Rosa Adrian had left the house with him, and this is how it came about. After bursting out of the office of Jacob Meyer, Arthur rushed down the four flights of stone stairs and gained the street, giving no heed to the cries of the jeweler’s gray-haired clerk. “The game’s all up now,” was his first thought. “I’ve lost Rosa for sure, and it doesn’t much matter what be- comes of me, I suppose. What shall I do and where shall I gor And then the thought came to him like a flash: “If she “has got to hear about it, it would be better, far better, “that she should hear it from my own lips. I won’t spare myself. I will tell her everything and then bid her good- by forever, and leave this luckless town.” With this intention he boarded an up-town car. Rosa was delighted to see him. “It seems an age since we were last together, and yet it was only last night,” she whispered. It was not until he failed to answer her in the way in which he always re- warded such affectionate greetings that she noticed the haggard look upon his face. “Why, Arthur,” she cried with sud- den alarm, “ what is wrong? You look as pale as a ghost! Something terrible has happened. I know it.” “Little girl,’ said Arthur gently, taking a seat by her side, “‘ I have come here to make confession. Something terrible has happened.” “Oh, what is it? What is it?” she 293 gasped. “ Don’t spare me, Arthur; I can bear it, whatever it is. Tell me the worst at once.” “T have been cruelly deceiving you, Rosa,” groaned Arthur. “Deceiving me? How?” “IT have acted the part of a liar and a scoundrel. I am not fit to brush your shoes for you.” “Oh, Arthur, please don’t talk so foolishly and look so tragic. Tell me what has happened. What have you been doing? ” “7 promised you and your father that I would not play the races. I have played the races.’ “Oh, Arthur! How could you?” “Pm a conscienceless cad—a weak fool!” he groaned. “ But that isn’t the worst, Rosa.” “Not the worst! Arthur dear, what else have-you been doing?” “I promised your father that I would live within my means. [ve been get- ting into debt. I owe my landlady three weeks’ board at the present time. She threatened to put me out this morning. I owe my tailor and several others. I’ve pawned my watch. Oh, ’m an unprin- cipled ass!” “ Oh, Arthur! ises, too.” “That’s After all your prom- right; reproach me!” groaned Arthur. “I want you to think as badly of me as youcan. It will make the parting easier for us both.” “The parting? What parting, Ar- thur? ” asked the girl in alarm. ““ After to-night we must not see each other again. This must be our last meeting, Rosa. I have not told you the worst yet. That ring you wear—the ring of which you are so proud—the en- gagement ring I gave you— Forgive me, Rosa—it wasn’t mine to give.” “Not yours- to give! Arthur!” screamed the girl, starting to her feet in alarm. ‘“ You don’t mean to tell me you s-stole it?” Without waiting for an answer, she burst into tears. “Yes,” said Arthur, “TI guess that’s none too harsh a word to use, Rosa. I didn’t break into a store and take it by force, but I did something nearly as bad. I bought it on the instalment plan, and I’ve only paid off the first three instal- com chook (elo)