The Argosy, Vol. 75, No. 4 — page 26: what you’re looking at

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

728 ing so glum! You'll do it yourself some day.” Mrs. Barrington rallied her son as she shot a meaning glance toward Bess, perched on the seat. Ted summoned a look of gratifica- tion-—he must look as if the prospect to which his mother referred was as cer- tain as she suggested. But he found himself wondering how soon he would receive a polite and consoling note for Mrs. Hetherington, regretting the ne- cessity of dissolving the bond between him and Bess. He fancied it would come in the first post—or by special delivery—imme- diately on her learning of his financial standing. Just Mr. Barrington could save Bess for him—and the thought of having to rely on him made it hard for Ted to keep the expression suited to the occasion on his face. He went with his mother down the steps tothe car. She managed to whis- per to him that while she had anything it was his. He nodded as if he ac- cepted the consolation she meant to offer. The next moment he was grip- ping hands—almost as if he meant to prove his strength equal to the other’s —with Hugo Barrington. Neither of them said ‘anything. That ~ handshake began and ended their ex- change of farewells—but it left a very definite impression on Radford. He received the idea that Barrington was a man with whom one might have to reckon quickly and keenly in order to keep abreast of him. The departing guests were trooping down the steps. Mrs. Hetherington met him and told him she thought Bess had gone on with some friends. He reentered the house and turned with re- lief to the matter in hand—getting rid of his unwelcome and unknown guest in the library. He entered the room. Bess stood just inside and where she could peer over the top of the davenport. “ Ted, who is he?” she asked breath- lessly. Before he could reply the ghastly white face confronted them from over - THE ARGOSY. the dark wood of the couch-arm. Bess clutched nervously at Ted. “You feel equal to—to leaving?” Ted asked, approaching the man. A sound so unlike a human voice came from the man’s lips that Bess turned white. “Tm sorry to hurry you, Mr. Bullen, but—he can’t talk—he’s dumb! ”’ Ted paused and regarded the con- tortions of the dumb man’s face with wonder. He saw the little blood in the cheeks recede. Then Bullen fell back on the couch. But the bleeding wound on his brow had held Bess’s fascinated eyes. “Ted, did you strike him?” she asked. “ Of course not,” Radford answered shortly, leaving the room. Williams, the butler, had finished with his duties at the front door. He came stealing noiselessly into the room. “ Williams, did this man ask for Mr. ~ Radford?” Bess inquired. “No, Miss Hetherington. He came in with several guests, and I didn’t dare stop him. I thought he might be some peculiar family friend. The next I knew Mr. Radford had him on the floor—” : “Mr. Radford struck him?’’. Bess asked quickly. “Well, Miss Hetherington, I could not say that exactly. I think the man must have gone at Mr. Radford; and he was obliged to knock him down. When I came in he was standing over him, and his right hand was bloody.” Bess listened to the explanation with accumulating terror. Ted had told her he had not struck the man; but Will- iams had seen him in the very act of recovering from the blow. Why did he inspire the stranger with a desire to attack him? The conviction was growing in Bess’s mind that this badly dressed, gaunt- looking man had a reason for pushing his way through the company of wedding-guests to attack Frederick Radford. Radford returned with the wine for COPMICGLOOOKS (C@)