Argosy, Vol. 111, No. 1 — page 168: what you’re looking at

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

158 the legions of the king spring to the attack, and he would be ready, yes, eagerly waiting. He peered through the little window; the other taxi was not to be seen, and he became almost as wild as a predacious bird cheated of its prey. “Who were they:” he demanded, and there was ferocity in h.s voice, a cave-man note indicating rightful possession. “One of them is Lester Holmes, the other, Bob Spencer. I was engaged to Bob, until noontime to-day. I guess that’s ‘why he’s so wild.” “You broke off with him?” ‘“ Certainly! Why shouldn’t I have? ‘I never even cared for him, let alone loved ‘him. We became engaged on a dare. I think I did it just because father does not like him. Poor old dad, he'll be mighty glad. Why, Bob began to think he owned me, so to-day I told him we had better part company now than have to call in the courts to part us later. He would commit murder now, but he’ll get over it.” ' As they crossed an intersecting thorough- fare the other taxi-cab came tearing down the street in an effort to intercept them. The girl glanced out of the window. ‘“We’re home!”’ she said, and their driver slackened his speed as he turned into the ‘Sidewalk. “ Don’t stop a moment, but Aollow me!” she commanded. | She threw open the door, and as they leaped from the cab, Kenneth thrust a bill, his last one, into the hand of the driver. He hoped it was enough to cover his fare, put he did not wait to see. The girl’s word was law, and he plunged across the sidewalk and up the stairs of the stoop to an old-fashioned private house. She in- serted the key in the lock and opened the door just as the pursuing car stopped and its occupants tumbled out. ‘Take a long step,” cautioned the girl, “ father has the place all rigged out with burglar alarms and you have to know how to avoid them.” Once inside, she slammed the door. “You just wait here for 2a moment while I run up-stairs,” she said. I'll be right down and help you get out the back door.” “Why, I really believe you think I’m afraid!” he said. ? ' THE ARGOSY. “No, but I’m not taking any chances with you,” she answered. ‘“ You stay right here, and do not turn on any lights.” And m the dark she reached up and kissed him. Then he heard her ascending the stairs. Who can describe the sensation of that pressure of her warm lips on his? Is any kiss. ever like the first one? To Kenneth, for the time being, matter did not exist, the world was saturated with ether. ‘“Man’s usual fate—he was lost upon the coral reefs.” He stood dazed, trembling. Finally he glanced out of the front door. The taxis had gone and the two pur- suers were holding a council of war on the sidewalk. One seemed to be in favor of storming the fort, but the more cautious tactician seemed to argue in favor of starva- tion of the garrison and surrender. His judgment prevailed, so they sat down on the lower step of the stoop and waited developments. The fitful glare of a street lamp ilum- ined the hall sufficiently for Kenneth to find his way about. He discerned a large painting on the wall and he cautiously struck a match; shading the tiny glow with his cupped palms. His heart almost stopped beating; then to make up for it, it thumped so rapidly that it took away his breath. Now Kenneth knew why the ad- dress the girl gave him for the taxi driver’s direction seemed so familiar. He was in the home of Mr. Bertram R. Dunham, his boss, president and guiding spirit of Bertram H. Dunham & Co. That accounted for the burglar alarms. Every inventor of a new device for use on build- ings was given an opportunity to try it out on Mr. Durham’s house. It was just one of the “ old man’s ”’ eccentricities. The girl, of course, was his daughter, so well known for her own peculiar, modern- day, worldly activities. The truth must not be denied. Kenneth got cold feet. The girl seemed to have been gone for quite a Jong time. At first he wondered at her delay in returning. Then he began to hope she would not return. He wanted to remember her always by that soul-en- raptured kiss. What an inglorious end to a perfect and thrilling day! He knelt down at the foot of the stairs as at a shrine; GOMIIGIOO SS (CO