The Argosy, Vol. 82 No. 4 — page 42: what you’re looking at

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

608 away in his car. They went to Lamartine Avenue, for I gave Joyce Tom’s cuff-link to carry to him. Then—” “Tom’s cuff-link? What about Tom’s cuff-link?” asked Mr. Kendry sharply. “Why, you know the gold cuff-links I gave him at Christmas. He seemed to set such great store by them—never would wear any other. Well, strangely enough I found one of them in our room, down by the bureau this morn—what’s the matter, James? Are you ill? You are as white as snow.” “T am tired. The day has been a hard one,” answered the lawyer. Undoubtedly this was true. Even had his legal work been light the load of misery he carried in his heart would have made the day a bitter one. “Well, I was explaining about Tom and Joyce. Mr. Fanning, it seems, gave Tom a holiday.” ‘‘A—hol-i-day? That’s good. Very good,” said Mr. Kendry. “James! What. is the matter with you to-night? I think it was very kind of Mr. Fanning.” “Tt was,” Mr. Kendry assented. To him- self he added “‘to me.” “They came here, and Mr. Fanning left word—I was lying down—that they were going to Throggs Neck for lunch, then for a sail, then they were to dine out, and go to Fox’s in the evening. Kitty Delmour is with them.” 3 Mr, Kendry looked across the table at his wife. “Ts there anything between Kitty Delmour?” he asked. “Well, I don’t know. I like Kitty. She is bright and sensible; and, being her mother’s housekeeper, would know how to manage a small house or apartment without _ servants. And I don’t fancy that Tom will employ many servants—ever. You can scarcely expect to turn up another fortune and make him rich.” Perhaps it was her struggle with her head- ache that made her speak in that manner. “Great Heaven!” ejaculated Mr. Kendry, his own nerves none too steady. “It can’t be possible that you are jealous of Fan- ning’s good luck!” “No, oh, no! of course not! as he thinks a lot of Joyce.” “T hope she appreciates it. There’s a eman! Jd rather have her marry Board- man Fanning with nothing but what he "Tom and Especially THE ARGOSY. could make digging cellars and laying side- walks than a man like Batterson, with millions.” Mrs. Kendry pursed her lips and re- mained silent. She was in no mood or con- dition for a controversy, but this view was hardly hers, although she liked Fanning and recognized his sterling worth. Dinner over, husband and wife talked a little while in a desultory way, and then she returned to her couch. Mr. Kendry shut himself in his den with a cigar and his thoughts—bitter, bitter thoughts, in- deed. “My son—my only son,” he groaned, and tears were in the strong man’s eyes as he fell into a fit of sombre musing. Meanwhile, the son was enjoying himself hugely. Kitty Delmour was in her bright- est spirits. The music at the Casino seemed better than usual. And how Tom and Kitty did enjoy the show that came later! Kitty, knowing nothing of the troubles that weighed upon the minds of Fanning and Joyce, laughed at every joke and applauded every act till her throat ached from laughing and she split her gloves. After that nothing would do but some oysters, and Tom knew the best place, so they gave themselves up to his guidance. He got them into a trolley car and made them ride a mile and then get off and enter a dingy little restaurant the proprietor of which he knew, and who had on several occasions accommodated him with a small loan. Here they ate oysters not a whit better than could be found within three minutes’ walk of the theatre in a cleaner, better lighted place, and served better— half a dozen places, at least. But nobody cared; they were trying to be happy for that night in their own way, and Fanning, who could, if he chose, have been enjoying himself in any of the gilded palaces in Manhattan, lent himself to the occasion, and did all he could to enhance the pleasure of his guests. Of them all, perhaps Kitty Delmour was the only one whose happiness did not con- tain some alloy. But then, as Joyce had said, she saw little of this lighter side of life. : But the day and night had this result: Kitty went to bed full of joy, which alone would have repaid Fanning had he known. Tom went to bed sober, without his mother or father knowing that he had been any- COMIC OO® S (C@