The Argosy, Vol. 83 No. 1 — page 26: what you’re looking at

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

16 hearing a good deal; he’s always telephon- ing or talking to men that call at the house. It seems now that this man, whom he depends on so much, is missing, or something like that. Father has been writing letters and telegraphing all over the country, and he gets more worried and angry every day. I heard him tell one of his friends yesterday that if the man didn’t report pretty soon he would squeeze him within an inch of his life.” “T am afraid,” said Jerry uncomfort- ably, “that you are telling tales out of school, Miss Delroy.” She tossed her head flippantly. “Tf you don’t want to hear them you surely can go away!” she retorted. “I’m very certain that I am not telling anything that could do any harm, but I’m in such a rage at my father, Mr. Hampton, that I’d tell almost anything about him if it would help you to keep your farm. A daughter is supposed to love her father, but mine has never given me a chance even to get acquainted with him. When he is angry with some of his business men he says such frightful things to them that it scares me and I positively dislike him. I thought he would break the telephone last night. He called up the long-distance operator and he got in a raging temper because he had to wait. Then, when he got the person he wanted, he simply yelled: ‘Have you found that blank, blank Ex- moor yet?’ and then—” “What!” cried Hampton sharply, start- ing up in utter consternation. “Why, what’s the matter?” asked Eu- genia innocently. “He wanted to know if some one had found Mr. Exmoor—that is the name of the man that is missing, it seems; Mr. Irving Exmoor. I’ve seen father address lots of letters to him. It is a peculiar name, isn’t it?” “Very,” assented Jerry, controlling him- self, : “But you look so queer,” remarked the girl. “Do you know anything about Mr. Exmoor?” 5 “The name seemed familiar,” said Jerry quietly, “but I don’t know any one in the THE ARGOSY. Middle West. nerves generally that I’m likely to act queer over almost anything. I beg your pardon.” | Eugenia was satisfied with the explana- tion. ‘You poor chap!” she exclaimed sym- pathetically; ‘of course you’re in a state of nerves, and I’ve done you precious little good by letting my tongue rattle on at such a rate. I suppose about all I am good for is to tell you how terribly sorry I am, and how very, very bad I feel for you and your grandmother.” “Vou really ought to tell me to brace up and not sit here mooning in the woods when there are things to be done,” Jerry said briskly, trying to affect a lighter mood. “With your last sentiment I heartily concur, Mr. Hampton.”’ The words came from a point back of the bench where they were sitting, and the voice was all too familiar. Jerry sprang up in confusion, demor- alized for the moment. Eugenia gave a slight start, then con- trolled herself admirably. She remained seated and turned her head just enough to glance rather haughtily at her father. Milton Delroy stood on the rising ground at the edge of the little clearing about the historic tree. There was un- mistaken anger in his deep, heavy-browed eyes, but he allowed his thin lips to twitch with a suspicion of a mocking smile. “T have always respected you, Hamp- ton,” he said bitingly, “for a self-depend- ent, resourceful fellow. I thought you were sufficient to your own occasions. I am surprised and disappointed to find you moping and pouting like a boy because your toy farm is to be taken away from you.” “Perhaps Mr. Hampton is surprised and disappointed,” “remarked Eugenia spirit- edly, “to find you creeping about on tiptoe to spy upon people!” “Silence!” Delroy commanded angrily, “You have enough to explain to me, Eu- genia, without adding further offense. Go home and wait for me there.” ECORMICLOOOKS I’m in such a state of (C@)