Argosy, Vol. 111, No. 1 — page 86: what you’re looking at

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

76 “Oh, dad, don’t be so—so like a miser, for Heaven’s sake! ”’ “Tt isn’t the dollars,” protested . her father. “ But—” “ Be quiet, dad!” exclaimed Eileen hast- — ily. “And anyhow it’s a perfectly won- derful adventure even—even if I haven’t had a bath for weeks.” ‘“That’s what adventure is!” snapped Seagrove, with a ghost of a chuckle in his voice. ‘‘ Going without a bath!”* The three sat staring out at the night, listening to the wail of a distant voice which was answered by the staccato neigh from across the valley. “You know,” commented Morden, break- ing the discreet silence, ‘‘ somehow or other I can’t believe that fellow has deserted me.” ‘What? The guide, Morden?” queried Eileen. “Tf you can think up a more obvious | plant I should like to hear is?’ commented Seagrove. A melancholy donkey braved a solemn assent. “‘ What’s the recipe for this wonderful optimism?”’ “Well, you don’t know him,” said Mor- den diffidently. “ He—well, he seems rather a curious character. And he’s very attractive in many ways.” “Sure, he’s attractive,’ said Seagrove grimly. ‘ Did you ever know a confidence man who wasn’t? That’s his line.” ‘Would you say that every person who deals in attractions is dishonest, then?” demanded Morden quietly. ‘Yes, would you, dad?” added Eileen, chuckling in response to a secret pressure. “‘ Because if so—”’ “TI get you, girl!” said Seagrove, after a pause. ‘‘ But—but I’d appreciate Mor- den’s sense of humor more had he put his deal over. To tell the honest-to-God truth I’d give twenty dollars for a smoke! That’s what the matter with me, I really do be- lieve!” : “If I haven’t broken them,” said Mor- den, fumbling beneath his saint’s rags, “‘ I think that I can supply you, sir. Yes, here they are! I—I’ve been so—so long a saint that I’ve nearly forgotten how to smcke!” And he held out two perfectly good cigars. Seagrove stared incredulously; took them in silence as if his heart were too full for THE ARGOSY. words; bit off the end of one and lighted it at ihe candle lantern. Then he sighed prodigiously and remarked in a completely different voice: “Morden, I—I have infinite respect for you.” “Thank you!” said Morden laughing. “ But really—you see I daren’t smoke them myself!” | ‘IT have observed,” purred Seagrove, ‘ through a long and arduous life that some- times a streak of luck may change a man’s whole career. In this case I ’—puff, puff— ‘“m this case, Morden, I shall be most pleased to abandon business principles and lead over the extra ransom to this ruffian and—and try to appreciate you better.” ‘““That’s mighty fine of you, sir, but—” “But wait!” exclaimed Eileen laughing. ‘“‘ Wait until he’s finished these cigars!” “Go to sleep, child!” said her father, ‘and leave me to—”’ ‘“Enjoy more than you deserve, dad? I will. Good night, dad! Good night, dear,” she whispered to Morden, and retired by the simple process of wrapping a coarse rug around her upon the mat with a bundle of robes as a pillow, a bed which two weeks of practise had taught her to appreciate. And upon the opposite end of the mat her lover curled up in his rags, finding them more blessed than the smoothest of New York sheets. : In the yellow halo of the candle lantern glowed red a cigar tip; the smoke curled lazily and hung like a houri’s veil over a face carved in alabaster and old ivory. The distant gimbri had ceased. Outside the mountainous night purred softly. Seagrove exhaled smoke through his small nostrils with real gratitude. He glanced quizzically at the form of Morden with a vague sense of irritation. He saw an open eye regarding him over a blanket fold. - ‘“ Are you asleep, Morden?” he inquired. ‘““U-m—yes,” said Morden mendaciously. ‘Why don’t you smoke?” ‘“ T’m—I’ tired out.” “Qh!” Seagrove frowned at the tent door. The satisfaction of the craving for nicotin had warmed up his social instincts. He struggled for a few moments and sur- rendered. ECOMmilc|ooo S (CO