The Argosy, Vol. 84 No. 1 — page 172: what you’re looking at

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

162 I threw it. I trusted to his ability and alertness.” “You telephoned!” shrieked the col- onel. “ Are you mad?” “Why, you see, there’s a telephone in- strument in my little shack over there,” Spencer explained calmly. “It was put in, I suppose, for the use of engineers and workmen here on the roof. I managed to get the night watchman down-stairs to the switchboard, and -he evidently thought that the call came from some one in one of the offices.” - “ And you knew that phone was there all the time!” gasped the colonel. “Oh, I used it once or twice last night,” admitted Spencer. ‘“ Conspiracy _ for conspiracy, you know, colonel. Plot and counterplot! You came upon the roof of your own accord, but when I had you here, in such a predicament, I was not disposed to neglect the opportunity. Flora and I saw through your elaborate plot with Howard Olmstead some time ago, and she was not desirous of the suc- cess of the Christmas party. The Fates, you see, played into my hands very hand- somely. My brother and I now have am- ple means for the development of our business, and this is a very merry Christ- mas, indeed.” THE ARGOSY. “What are you doing here?” snarled the colonel, turning upon Flora. “Why, Jack phoned me all about it this morning,” she answered readily, ‘and I’ve been waiting in a house around the corner. ever since for the—the dénoue- ment. Jack’s brother stopped for me, you see, and brought me here with him.” “The only thing that drives me mad,” said the colonel despairingly, ‘ is the fear that I can’t have you all prosecuted for this outrage. “You don’t suppose for a minute, do you, that I'll ever let you marry this— scoundrel?” he thundered, turning upon the girl again. “Why, just as a precaution, father,” she said demurely, “ Jack and I were married yesterday morning. We were going to tell you about it at your office, but you fled to the roof, you know, and that changed all our plans. So now we’re ready for the wedding presents and the Christmas gifts, and all that sort of thing.” The colonel pondered tragically for a minute or two; then he moved slowly to- ward the staircase. “T will go to the club and have a hot toddy,” he said, ‘‘and then I may be able to think.” THE FLIGHT OF TIME T was midnight and moonlight, the bells were all ringing, When I heard a commotion outside of my door; And lo, in the snow was a gasoline buggy That had made up its mind not to go any more. One thousand nine hundred sixteen was its license, And, bundled in furs from his head to his heels, Old Time stood beside it and wept in his whiskers; For how could he travel without any wheels? Just then, with a whir, on a snow-bank alighted A beautiful aeroplane shaped like a bird; The New Year sat in it, his hand on the lever; He was hooded in leather and goggled and furred, “Jump in,” he exclaimed, “and continue your journey.” So old Father Time climbed aboard with delight, And, soaring aloft with the speed of an arrow, They darted away through the star-spangled night, (C@ Minna Irving A) G 0)(0 6) SS (C@)