Argosy, Vol. 112, No. 2 — page 52: what you’re looking at

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

3 = 218 wait to ask questions. He’ll—he’ll shoot us both!” “Well, so far as I’m concerned, he’s entirely welcome,” William sighed. ‘“ Life isn’t going to mean much to me, this time to-morrow.” a“ But pg ‘Hold on, child, and listen to me,” Bill Hervey said firmly. ‘‘ Nobody’s going to do any shooting and nobody’s going to cut off any heads. That’s rot—all of it. We’re in a mess, and there’s apparently no way of getting out of it to-night. We’re here, and we'll have to stay here and make the best of it: I want you to lie down.” “Ves, you can, and I'll cover you up with that other blanket and sit beside you,” William said very gently. ‘‘ Come along, little girl.” Quivering, Mrs. Elton seemed to search his very soul. “You won’t try anything else that might might start trouble? You won’t do any- thing that might leave me—me alone here?” “T swear it!’”’ William said. ‘“‘ Yes, really. On my word of honor!” And, now, tired, stressed to the breaking- point, the poor, lovely little creature was permitting herself to be led to the mighty four-poster. With a shudder, she settled down, and William covered her with the blanket. “T can’t—sleep/” she said indignantly. ‘““ Nevertheless, I think you’d better just lie still and keep quiet.” Many minutes passed along. Spasmodic tears came to Mrs. Elton, and, after a little, passed again. Long, shaky sighs followed. She stirred fretfully. “That old bracelet cuts my wrist!” she complained, and tugged at it with the other hand. It came free and she tossed it to the bed —a huge, antique affair which William had noted and about which, in a calmer past, he had meant to ask. ‘““T’ll put it in my pocket,” he suggested softly. “Will you take this cameo pin, too?” asked Mrs. Elton, detaching it. “It digs into me every time I get comfortable.”’ “ Let’s have it.” THE ARGOSY. “And do be careful of it. That’s a gift from Aunt Fannie and she prized it all her life.’ | Wisely, conversation was permitted to expire once more. William sat back and, leaning against the post, sighed drearily. She would not sleep, of course, but at least she was comfortable and more calm. He looked at her after an interval. Her lovely eyes had closed. Much as one might caress a kitten, William took to stroking the yellow hair. There was a momentary startled stare up at him. William smiled absently; and the smile carried reassurance, for the eyes closed again and that last sigh was almost contented. On stroked Bill Heryey and on. Indeed, after a time, he was doing it quite uncon- sciously—and after another time he came to himself and looked down. Annabel’s .whole expression had relaxed now. “Not asleep?” William queried, softly and amazedly. There was no reply. He bent a little nearer; soft, regular breathing came from beneath the blanket. Very cautiously, Wil- liam rose and gazed down, shaking his head. ‘* Poor little kid! Poor innocent little kid! One of the kind that had been sheltered and petted all her life, guileless and honest as a week-old babe—and now in a mess like this!” William’s teeth ground, not alto- gether over his own troubles, and he settled in one of the big chairs, wrapping his ulster around him and stretching ‘his ‘legs. With one eye on the door, he could think of his own case now. Indeed, he could think of nothing else. What was to be the end of all this? He didn’t know. In the course of time, people would begin to look for him. The deserted red roadster alone would cause comment and a hunt for its owner. So far as that went, since there: seemed to be a real Mr. and Mrs. Otis, they might be expected to turn up at any time and clear the whole situation. Marlowe was a puzzle, though. He— oh, Marlowe didn’t matter! The future didn’t matter, The thing that mattered was to-night! William Hervey, with a perfectly inno- ‘ Gomichooks:c¢ - SAG ae = —_