The Argosy, August 1914 — page 33: what you’re looking at

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

NOBODY LOVES A LOSER. - “That’s good. We won't have to spend time hunting for any one. I“ don’t know what grandfather will think of my being so long away.” The wonder with which the man viewed the manner of this black- haired, red-cheeked girl operated in a degree to revivify his mind by draw- ing: it from his own distempers. She was of a type quite new to him. As fate had ordered it, his experi- ence of women had been largely among those of whom Vesta Dawn may stand as a fain example. He had devoted his time in college to athletics and the intervals between training periods, both earnestly cultivated for all they signify. In the navy his lack of rank had debarred him from female society of his hereditary class, and the others had not appealed. In Jessica Hooper he saw the mod- est self-possession of a girl set side by side with the strength, courage, and competence, of a spirited boy, and marveled at the combination. What had this creature in common with lan- euocrous, laughing, full-lipped Vesta? Jessica had been studying him in turn. She had brought the Polly Ann about again, dipping to escape the swinging boom. <As_ the _ catboat squared away into the wind she said: “T’m sorry about your arm, but you see I can’t do anything in this sea. It will have to keep till we can get where there’s help.” “T don’t believe it’s broken,” Jack replied. “ Anyway, it doesn’t matter. IT can—” He stopped and bit his lip until the blood ran as the boat heeled to a flawy cust and a thrill of excruciating pain shot through his shoulder. The girl was keenly observant of his anguished expression. “Can you shift over closer? ’”’ she asked. “‘ There, that’s right. Snuggle in between me and the thwart.” She ran inquisitive fingers along his arm, testing the bone, yet so delicately as to cause him a minimum of discom- fort. 23 “It's all sound,” she announced. It’s a miracle, too. I don’t see how it could help being ground to flinders. If I could only manage a sling, for it’s» plain you twisted it badly. Here’s what we will do if you can stand it— let me lift the arm and put it across my knees so. Then it won't get knocked about.” The black curtain gathering before Jack Garrett’s face led him to fear he was going to disgrace himself by fainting again. He fought it back with more spirit than he had ever car- ried into the ring. The girl noted the droop of the head and the ebb of blood which left his face paper-white. She thought she understood. ‘ She took a half hitch in the main loose end under so that it Seaaia be cast free with the slightest pull, and with the hand thus liberated felt under the thwart for her bag. She took from it some sea biscuit. “Fat these,” she ordered. “ Grand- father taught me never to get into a boat without some water and a bite to eat. Finding you like this shows he was right. I believe you're half- starved.”’ “More than half,” Jack replied faintly, with a feeble effort at a joke. “Could I have another drink?”’ “Something better for you than water,” the girl said. “I’m carrying grandiather a bottle of home-made wine.’ She pulled the cork with her teeth and he drank. An expert would have been puzzled to name the wine, but it Was pure grape-juice and sugar, and it operated like an infusion of life blood. She watched its results narrowly. “ You’re better now,” she said after he had consumed a half dozen biscuit. “Tf you’ve been starving long you'd better not eat any more just yet. Or was there plenty aboard the barge?” ‘A little bread and a little water,” he returned. ‘They were all gone yesterday —the day before —J] don’t know when.” COMIC OOo S ~~ _ sheet around a thole-pin, tucking the - (C@