The Argosy, Vol. 84 No. 1 — page 85: what you’re looking at

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

THE .GILDED TRAP. are making money in Wall Street these days than ever before in its history. Of course we’re not expected to speculate. Of course you know that the rule is a joke. We’ve just as good a right to what’s going around as any one else. And some of us need it worse than those who are getting it. When I get a chance I’m going to put you in for something.” Was it a wonder that Bruce Evans went home in a whirl? Jessie had left her friends in the sun-room to come and bid him good night. She had turned to her father those dazzling.eyes of hers and mirthfully inquired: “Of course you asked Mr. Evans up for the week-end, didn’t you, dear?” _ “T didn’t, but I was going to,” Wheelock hastily responded. “ Oh, I don’t know,” Bruce had gasped. “ Of course I’d be more than delighted. But—” “No buts about it,” Wheelock inter- rupted. ‘‘ You’re coming.” Just as he was climbing into his bed he recalled with a stab of conscience that he had promised Ellen to see her that eve- ning. She had discovered a little bungalow plan that she liked better than any of the others they had discussed in the past year and a half. Well, he could explain to Ellen to- morrow evening. Anyhow, with promo- tion in sight, with Wheelock hinting of chances to make money on the side, nothing could be more foolish than settling on a tiny, two-by-four house on a sand lot out there by the marsh. Chickens! A mud garden! He wondered what Ellen would look like in such a. gown as Miss Wheelock had worn this evening. Somehow the wondering was not pleasant. Besides, he had another matter to think of. If he was going into the teller’s cage, to face the general public, he would need some new clothes. His week’s pay would come Friday afternoon as usual. That would be in time to get the needed gar- ments for the week-end. daddy And there was no sense in wearing mourning any longer—except as to ties, perhaps. a CHAPTER V. THE GIRL WITH RIGHTS. e ELL, give an account of yourself,” Ellen bade Bruce with a laugh, when he appeared in her parents’ very modest flat the following evening. Bruce had decided not to talk too much about the sudden change in his prospects. Somehow he could not convince himself that they’ were entirely real. 75. ‘Mr. Wheelock asked me out to hig place, and I had to go, of course,” he explained. “I knew your bungalow plan could wait another day.” “Mr. Wheelock asked you out to his place!” echoed the girl. For a second Bruce almost imagined her eyes held a trace of the sparkle which so wonderfully animated the eyes of the girl with: whom he had conversed last evening. Then he reflected that com- parisons are odious. Comparing Ellen’s looks with Jessie Wheelock’s could not be other than odious to one who was bound by all ties to marry Ellen. Ellen was a drab little creature. Some men might have seen, on second glance, in her face and carriage a very admirable gentle dignity. Few men ever troubled to give that second glance. For years Bruce Evans had been filled with awed wonder as to what she saw in a dull drudge like himself on which to lavish a love so true and enduring. He had counted her affection the light of his otherwise dingy existence. Now other light had suddenly shone in upon his life. Already the prospect ‘was for a change from existing to living. The promised shift of position in the bank carried an extra seven or eight dollars of - salary. To one accustomed to figuring in pennies seven dollars seems a lot of - money. It was twenty-eight dollars a month, three hundred and _ sixty-odd E@MMICLOOOKS 6)