The Argosy, January 1906 — page 113: what you’re looking at

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

NO WAY OUT. into debt,” said Rosa severely, and with- out further argument filled out a check for seven hundred dollars, signed it, and went to the paying-teller’s window. “ Here’s the money,” she said to Ar- thur joyously. “ Now we will go across the street and buy a money order and send it to the jeweler’s. Come along.” “What a little business woman you are!” exclaimed Arthur admiringly. “You go about things so quickly, you quite take my breath away.” “{ ouess I mmherit it from dad,” said the girl seriously. “Come on. Here is the post-office. How much do you owe the jeweler on the ring? ” “Four hundred and seventy dollars,” answered Arthur. “ But, Rosa, you really must not.” But she was already filling out a pos- tal money order blank, and before he could get any further had tripped to the cashier’s window and exchanged four hundred and seventy dollars of the money she had drawn from the bank for a postal money order addressed to Jacob Meyer, jeweler. “Send this right away, with a note saying it is payment in full for the ring. That’s right. Now we will go to your boarding-house, and you shall settle with the landlady. How much? Twenty-five dollars? All right; here is the money. And here is the fifty dollars to get your watch out of pawn.” _ She handed him the money with a laugh. | 3 “Oh, you splendid little girl,” cried Arthur; “ you are the truest sweetheart that ever was made, I think. But, really,- I cannot take this money, Rosa. I shall never be able to look anybody in the eyes again if | do. You make me feel like a whipped cur. MHonesily, you do. I will let you pay for the ring, if you wish, for that will save you also from humiliation, but don’t ask me to take the other money.” “Tf don’t ask you; I command you, _sir!” was his answer. “I know it must go against the grain for you to let me pay your debts; but remember, this is your punishment for heaping them up. Next time you will be careful. Come, take the money.” And with a sigh Arthur took the prottered bills. There was no use argu- 295 ing with this girl when she had made up her mind. “Now, let us go to your boarding- house,” she commanded. “I am going with you to see you pay the landlady with my own eyes.” “Don’t you trust me? ” asked Arthur huskily. “Yes, [ guess I trust you,” said the girl slowly, “ but I shall not be able to sleep until I know that you are out of debt, so if you don’t ‘mind I’ll come along anc have the satisfaction of seeing the money paid.” But they did not get to Mrs. Jarvis’ select boarding-house. For, three blocks from that place they met that estimable lady herself. She was hurry- ing along, and gave a little shriek when she saw Arthur. “Good heavens, Mr. Ladd!” cried. “ Where are you going? to the house—surely!” “And why not?” said Arthur. “Mrs. Jarvis, let me introduce my fiancée, Miss Adrian.” “Glad to meet you, Miss Adrian,” said the boarding-house lady, making a mental note of the fact that the girl before her was no other than the origi- nal of the picture in Mr. Perriam’s room. “If you are this young man’s fiancée and have any love for him m your heart, please persuade him not to go to the house.” she Not “And why not?” asked Rosa in sur- prise. “Why not? And can you ask sucha question when the police have been waiting at my door these four hours past ready to arrest him as soon as he shows screamed Rosa. what? Speak, for “ Arrest him!” * Arrest him for heaven’s sake! ” “Arrest him for what he did to the poor jeweler on Nassau Street, of course. Hasn’t he told you anything about it?” “ Oh, what did you do to him? What did you do to him ?” cried the girl, turn- ing to Arthur. “ You told me you used violence, but I didn’t know it was as bad as that! ” : “T gave him a good thrashing,” said Arthur sullenly. “I taught him a les- son he won't forget for days to come.” comicbook co wt é g 3 . The priya Avia } of rl 1) eae La, 54 Eyy AAT Kes J 7 Vinee h ve ji 2 ye Viva | fy hee Cie a NT te LA