The Argosy, Vol. 83 No. 1 — page 43: what you’re looking at

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

HAMPTON OF she declines champagne with adorable firmness, and the gentleman wears the co- vertly gratified look of one who sees an entire bottle for himself. I will add a footnote: the gentleman appears to have had spirituous refreshment before coming here.” “ve no doubt of that!” grumbled Jerry, with a grimace. They smoked in silence for a while, then Exmoor leaned forward with his elbows on the table and regarded the other pair in- tently. “T fear,” he said, less lightly, “that the lady is almost as bored as I am sure you would wish her to be. She has really quite a bit to say to the man, but she’s not at all blithe about it. I believe there is nothing more incongruous or comic, Hampton, than the sight of people quarreling in a place of entertainment.” “Quarreling!’’ gasped Jerry. “Perhaps I exaggerate,’ went on the other quickly. “‘There’s nothing to be alarmed about, anyway. No, I am sim- ply noting that the man has brought the girl in considerable state to a place of en- tertainment, and she is not entertained. The man seems to take it philosophically, however; with the responsibility of a whole bottle resting-on him, he has valiant- ly made away with three glasses already. The waiter will get nothing but the dregs.” Hampton fidgeted. “T don’t see how you can find any ° humor in it; I’m damned if I do!” he said. “Humor is as good as rage when you are powerless to act,” returned Exmoor. “T’m not altogether heartless, Hampton, but I’ve saved my own life and my reason two or three times with a timely little dash of humor. If you don’t punctuate your groans with a laugh here and there you'll break your heart in two. Believe me, a erin or a chuckle, even if you have to force it, breaks the tension and lets you take a breath.” “What are they doing now?” Jerry de- manded abruptly. “The man is following the logical se- quence,” was the answer; ‘after the third 3 A THE HEIGHTS. 33 glass of champagne comes the fourth, as day follows night. Now he is devoting himself to the traditions of the convivial life; he is trying for the fiftieth time to convince his non-drinking companion that drinking is the only royal road to happi- ness. The lady couldn’t gracefully pre- vent him from filling her glass, but she won’t touch it, you may be sure. Now the man has an inspiration; it has occurred to him that the lady fears a dearth of cham- pagne at their table, so he has ordered an- other bottle to reassure her.”’ Hampton clenched his fists with fury. “Can’t we do something?” he de- manded. “How can we let an outrage like that go on? Ill admit, Exmoor, that Miss Delroy has brought it on herself; she should have sense enough not to be seen in the company of a fellow like that; but she’s very young, and some one ought to protect her.” 3 A chorus of rippling laughter came from a party of four at a nearby table, and Ex- moor scowled and bit his lip. ‘What is it?” Jerry demanded tensely. “I’m sorry to say,” was the answer, “that others are beginning to share the humor of the situation with me. I missed that particular point, but I think the man upset the lady’s glass in his efforts to per- suade her. Yes, the waiter has picked it up. Upsetting a glass is always good for a laugh, you know, in the average com- pany. “Tell me, Hampton,” he went on, with a change of tone, “if Miss Delroy should be left alone suddenly without an escort, would you feel at liberty to offer her your services?” | Hampton looked puzzled. ‘““Why, yes,” he said slowly, “of course; IT wouldn’t sit still and let her face an em- barrassing situation alone.” “You know that I happen to be money- less,’ Exmoor continued rapidly. ‘Will you let me have a quarter if you have it about you?” Wondering vaguely, Jerry drew some small coins from his pocket and handed them across the table. (EO) NOOLKS (E@)