Argosy, Vol. 111, No. 1 — page 34: what you’re looking at

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

24 Involuntarily Dex caught his breath sharply, struck by her appearance as he had been on the day of his arrival. “ Un- usual,” Superintendent Ruff had said of her. He had been right. But she was unusual to a degree that the superinten- dent had not known, or mentioned. No ordinary backwoods belle, this girl. “ And how did to-day go?” she asked. She smiled slightly, in a friendly sort of way. Her smooth, well-modulated voice and her excellent poise impressed him as they had the first day. “Fine!” he returned. trouble—thanks.” He removed his short reefer coat and hung it and his cap on a small rack fas- tened tc the wall near the door. Lister’s daughter turned and once again shifted utensils skilfully on the stove. ‘“‘Father’s had his supper,’ she re- marked. ‘“ He was expecting a man in about six o’clock—a man who wants to talk about a piece of timber back in the country. So he said he’d eat first and not wait.” “T hope you’ve not,” Dex ventured, smiling. “You might look,” she replied, with a glance over her shoulder toward the open door of the dining-room. He walked to the door and perceived that the table was neatly set for two; he warmed at the prospect of their dining alone. | “By George!” he exclaimed. There was no mistaking the pleasure in his voice. She brought the things from the stove and placed them on the table—a platter of deliciously browned steak, a steaming dish, of potatoes, another of canned corn. They sat down. “Do you know,” he said, as he sat ad- miring the skill and ease with which she served him, “I can’t help but think this unending string of agents you take care of must be an awful nuisance.” “Just how?” she asked. ‘Why, so many different types, all with their own peculiar whims and oddities.”’ She laughed. ‘Well, they’re not! “Not a bit of Some one has to THE ARGOSY. take them in, poor fellows, and no one else but father and I seem to want to take the —the responsibility.” ‘It’s good of you,” he insisted. ‘Perhaps. Anyway, it helps break the monotony a bit for us—for me, at least.” He was silent a second. “I suppose it does get monotonous.” ‘“Yes—but not in the way I think you mean. I love this country—these hills and valleys and big trees. Anything can grow monotonous. Life in a mansion in the world’s most charming city could, I im- agine. To one there a visitor from the big woods might be a refreshing incident—if you get what I mean.”’ He nodded soberly, a little astonished at her keenness. “I do. And I believe you’re quite right.” He thoughtfully toyed with a spoon. ‘I’m thinking, though, that in me you’ve drawn what will prove to be a dis- appointing incident.” It was a trifle bald, this latter observation; but he had a most curious desire to see what his angling would develop. He was not disappointed. ‘“That may be,” she admitted calmly. She paused. ‘“ But I have hopes.” ' He chuckled and regarded her across the table. Her eyes met his; their gaze held an instant, and then, for no apparent rea- son other than their youthful high spirits, they both broke into merry laughter. ““T hope you'll not think me rude, or snobbish,” he said when their merriment had subsided, ‘‘ but I know you’ve been— that you haven’t spent all your days up here—in the woods, as you say.” “No,” she returned, ‘“‘ I haven’t. I went East to school for several years; and now occasionally I go out for a few weeks.”’ ‘“T was sure of it,” he declared. “I know you'll understand when I say there are things one doesn’t pick up in—in this sort of country.” ‘IT understand perfectly,” she said sim- ply. “ However much one may love it up here, the life has its limitations; I appre- ciate that.” In the kitchen the door that led to the store suddenly banged open and some one entered there. Dexter could not see out, but he imagined that it must be Lister; the GOMIIG OOO S (CO