The Argosy, Vol. 82 No. 4 — page 44: what you’re looking at

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

610 “Oh, I guess he went on the job. He was gone when I got up. But I want to tell you something, Boardman; you must know the truth. Tom has been gambling. I found a letter—come to the den, and I will show it you.” She shut the door of the den, and handed him a letter she took from the bosom of her dress. ‘Read that,” she said, with a tremor in her voice. “I found it in Tom’s bureau drawer. It is three days old.”’ Fanning took the letter from its envelope and read: Mr. Tom KENnprRY: T'll thank you to pay me that thousand dollars you owe me for a month past. It ain’t no fun playing with a kid that’s broke all the time. I know your old man’s got plenty money and if your sister can build a orphan asylum she can help you out. Or ask the big guy what won out against Bat- terson. He’s got barrels. <a “Tsn’t that a literary gem?” asked Joyce. “Tt is. The fellow was wise enough not to sign his name, and all the king’s horses could never haul it out of Tom.” “But does that alter your opinion? That’s the main thing.” “Well, to tell you the truth, Joyce, it rather jolts it. But it wasn’t necessary to steal ten thousand dollars’ worth to pay one.” “But then, ten thousand dollars’ worth of jewelry doesn’t represent ten thousand dollars in a pawnshop.”’ “That’s so, little wise one. Now look here. Put that letter back where it came from, and watch for more. If any more come for Tom in that handwriting don’t be squeam- ish, but steam the envelope and read it. If another dunning letter comes Tom didn’t steal anything and hasn’t anything with which to pay. If no more come, we'll try to find out who A. G. is and creep along till we get at the truth.” “All right, I will do as you say, Board- man.” “T’m off. I want to see two people to- day and told them to meet me at the job.” “Then go to the job, my dear boy, and take my blessing with you.” “T’ll take more than your blessing with me some day, my lady, you may gamble on that.” “Boardman! If it wasn’t you I’d be an- gry at that speech.” “If it wasn’t you I wouldn’t make it. THE ARGOSY. . Listen, I propose,-as soon as the roof is on the job, that we get married. That won’t be for some time, so you have fair warning. Then we'll board the Sapphire and hike to the Caribbean Sea.” “But Boardman! You—you haven’t asked me if I’ll marry you! You haven’t asked papa’s consent!. You haven’t done anything!” “Oh, yes I have. I’ve fallen head over heels in love with you, and that’s enough. I don’t propose to ask foolish questions of anybody. So now you know. I'll take this to let you remember.” He drew her to him, kissed her lips, and strode like a conquering Roman out of the house. He left her with a face the color of peonies, and a heart that was making desperate efforts to smash through her ribs. But, as had been the case in some other recent episodes, there were no tears in her- bright blue eyes. He drove to Lamartine Avenue and found Tom Kendry on the job, with no sign of liquor upon him. A great flood of thank- fulness welled up in Fanning. “Hello, Tom, how do you feel this morn- ing?”’ . “Fine and dandy,” was the prompt an- swer in Tom’s old style. ‘‘Takes a doctor like you to put nerve in a man.” “Glad you enjoyed the day. We all did, I guess.” “Yes, and most of all Kitty. Say, Board, I want a bit of serious talk. I was late this morning, and ran against dad as I came out. I was struck by some strange and sud- den change in him. You seé more of him than I do of late. Is the good old dad sick?” “No real illness, I think. worried.” “About money? Is money tight?” “No. Do you want the truth?” “Shoot, old man. I know you won’t tell me anything: wrong.” ‘He is worried about you. Of late you have not been the old Tom. You drink too much, and I have reason to believe you gamble. I have felt sad, very sad. Your mother knows nothing about this, but you are breaking your sister’s heart. Have you stopped to think?”’ “T have, Boardman. I have realized what a fool I was making of myself. Yes- terday morning settled it. I saw the way you and Joyce looked at me. Well, I’m sober now, and please God I'll stay sober. I fancy he is COMMICLOOOKS {C©@)