The Argosy, Vol. 83 No. 1 — page 186: what you’re looking at

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

176 “Here I’ve been trying to fall in love with Billy for over a year and I haven’t been able to manage it. Then why should a stranger—in less than a month—I do hope the washwoman got those handker- chiefs mixed.” Anne reached the second book store. “Have you a photograph of the crown prince?” She had overcome the shyness that had prevented her asking the ques- tion at the first store. IV. “Miss Bices,” Anne burst into the pri- vate sitting room where her chaperon was peacefully sewing. “I’ve decided on the Tyrol for a little rest and recreation. “But, my dear—” The suddenness of the announcement left Miss Biggs scarcely breath to speak. “Ves,” hurried on Anne, “we will leave by an early train to-morrow.” “But, my dear,” again protested Miss Biggs, “we’re hardly settled here—and your music—you’ve made such a good be- ginning.” “That’s it,” said Anne, “it’s the music. You see, it’s this way. I’ve been working too hard, and besides—oh, yes— it’s a lot the fault of the professor. -In America, you know, we just nod good-by and get up and leave as quickly as_ possible to make room for the next victim. Do you think that is the custom here?” “T am sure I don’t know,” said Miss - Biggs, bewildered. “Not at all.”” Anne grew more eloquent as she continued. ‘‘When the lesson is over I am obliged to listen to flowery speeches; then I extend my hand, which the professor kisses.” “My dear, my dear,” faintly protested Miss Biggs, “how very—er—unneces- bP] “Tt’s a fact,” said Anne. “At first the novelty of the performance helps one through the operation, but soon it becomes too, too, unbearably sticky. So I’ve de- cided to chuck it.” As Anne hurried into her room, Miss Biggs’s protest followed her. THE ARGOSY. “Tt’s very sudden.” Anne unwrapped a paper and took out a photograph. She placed it, on the dresser facing her. “Prince Carlos, I salute you,” she said, _as she placed a hand beside her head, palm outward. She crossed the room, turned, and came back. “Prince Carlos,” she picked up the pho- tograph and looked steadily into the eyes that met hers so frankly—‘“you have a disconcerting way of following one about. I couldefeel it even as I crossed the room through the back of my head. “Prince Carlos,” she continued, “you force me to turn you with your face to the wall.” V. AFTER an unusually warm day the eve- ning breeze was very grateful to the peo- ple of the little Tyrolese village. The soft moonlight made wonderful pictures of the lake and the mountains. Anne came slowly into the room where Miss Biggs sat sewing. She took off her hat and dropped into a chair. “Bigosy, dear,” she began, as she laid her hat over the other’s work, “don’t you know that if you sew so much you will turn into a needle, with thread for arms and a thimble for a head?” “But, Miss Anne,” said the ever pro- testing Biggs, ‘the signora promised to show me the fancy stitches to-morrow if I would get this groundwork finished to- night.” - ‘All right,” laughed Anne, “but .don’t forget to go to bed, or you won’t be able to get up in the morning.” “Did you have a nice day?” asked Miss Biggs, as she worked away. “Oh, yes,” replied Anne in a lifeless voice. ‘“‘We walked miles and miles, and ate our supper. at a little ‘hotel overlooking the lake. By the way, what is all the commo- tion about? Bell-boys and maids and por- ters and proprietors are hopping about like distracted toads.” “Ah, but you could never guess what Go TOO AMG SS (C@