The Argosy, September 1915 — page 71: what you’re looking at

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

ONE-CYLINDER SAM. “ Now you're O. K. for the part,” grinned the boatman as he tossed the pail aside. You—you—”’ “S-sh! It’s a grand make-up. Had to be done, you know.” Rosalind, a beautiful, dripping statue of white, shot him a glance of fury and hate. Her drenched costume clung clammily. Wet strands of hair plas- tered her cheeks, while her eyes blinked painfully from the effects of the deluge. ‘Here he is,’’ whispered the boat- man as Williams entered the scene. “ Remember—I’m a dummy! Talk up now like a rescued lady.” Reginald Williams, momentarily halted by the spectacle of a moist and miserable lady, sprang forward with an anxious cry. Rosalind!” She waved him back and made a wild effort to smooth her hair. “You're hurt!” cried Reginald. “ What's happened? ” “T’m—I'm not hurt,” she answered. * Don’t be silly. I’m merely wet.” “Wet! You're saturated, child!” “T’m not a child. Please don’t get hysterical, Reggy.” “ But how—why—” “ Naturally I’ve got to explain,” she sighed. The boatman, standing behind Reginald, winked enthusiastically and waved his hand. ‘You see, I didn’t take a nap,” said Rosalind. “ I changed my mind about that. I went out for a row. Why didn’t I tell you? Why should I, Reggy?” “But you nearly drowned your- self!’* blurted Reginald in a dismayed tone. “On the contrary I did nothing of the kind. This—this fellow here is the cause of everything.” Reginald whirled swiftly upon the boatman, who stood open - mouthed, staring at Rosalind. “What have you done?” roared Reginald, his great figure advancing threateningly. 285 With a swift look of pained surprise at the dripping one, Sam made a ges- ture of incomprehension and backed away a step. “* He is deaf and dumb, remember,” interposed Rosalind. ‘Don’t hurt him, Reggy. Of course he didn’t do it intentionally. But he is such a clumsy fool!” The boatman’s mouth was still open. He seemed to be holding his breath. “TI don’t care if he is deaf and dumb,” declared Reginald savagely. “Tf he’s done anything to you, I'll break his neck. ‘Tell me, Rosalind — ‘-hurry!” She smiled very faintly, and be- stowed a sweeping and deliberate look of malice upon Sam. As Reginald re- moved his glance from the object of his threat the, boatman shook a fist at Rosalind and went through a frantic pantomime. It had no effect upon her. “Why, you see, Reggy, as I said before, I went rowing, After a while I came to this island. I was tired of rowing and I came ashore for a rest.” Sam was glaring and shaking his head. He even pointed at the tree, then at the dog. Reginald, who caught the gesture, was puzzled. ‘What's the matter with him?” he demanded. “Don't pay any attention to him,” advised Rosalind. “ He’s a little un- balanced, I think.” “Tl tie him up if you say.” “No, indeed; he’s quite harmless.’” The boatman, making sure again that Reginald was not looking, shook his fist and pointed to the pail that had so recently played its part. Rosalind ignored the implied exposure. “Where was I?” she mused. “ Oh, yes; I came ashore. While I was sit- ting on the rocks, resting, I saw this man approaching in his launch. He had the engine stopped and was lean- ing over the side of the boat, which was drifting along slowly. He seemed to be engaged with something that was in the water. It—it was a fish-net, I think.” CORMMICLOOOKS (©)