Argosy, Vol. 117, No. 2 — page 114: what you’re looking at

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

264 offices, was now living with the Brainards, had knocked on Hargraves’s door. “Gravy,” she’d whispered, “come out and play cards with him or something. She hears it.” And half awake, shivering and aware of his ever-present torture, hunger, he had got up to wrap a blanket about himself and play pinochle with Charlie. The lamp between them had flickered as their hands moved on the table and shadows dimmed the dirt-streaked walls. Now and _ then they heard Mae move in the next room. Her voice, remarkably gentle in tone, came once. and again when she advised Elsie to “lay down and get her good sleep,” or informed Elsie that ‘“‘ morning hasn’t come yet, deary; lay still!” “ Yuh done a good thing when yuh brung her here,” said Charlie with a sniff. “I got a meld. She’s smart and she’s doing good by Elsie. Yesterday she put a brick on the gas meter, too. It don’t pump so fast now. Yer play.” Hargraves played. As he played he re- called Mae’s installation. They had walked after their party in the quick-lunch room, walked toward the building that sheltered the Brainards. Hargraves had done some quick thinking, but had come to no con- clusion. Mae had begun to lag, and looking at her he became full of fear. “We should have ridden on the cable car,” he said, “instead of getting that coffee! I am a dub! Sit down here!” Mae had smiled faintly, slipped down on a step while Hargraves tried to shelter her from the wind. “Ti take yuh to the Brainards; they’re good folks, Mae, and you can have my room for to-night.” Mae had nodded stupidly. She hadn’t sensed much, for she had been overcome by sudden weakness and was trying with all her strength not to faint. Then after a moment or so they had gone on, the girl swaying, but still smiling, and the boy staring straight ahead. ‘ Here,” said Har- graves and they turned in a rickety build- ing. Mae swayed more and, with her smile stiffly set, closed her eyes. Hargraves caught her, picked her up; and carried her up the many flights.» At the top of the third stair he paused. He was THE ARGOSY. strong and Mae was light, but even at that it had been work. She was remark- ably relaxed and awkward to handle. Looking down on Mae he wondered whether any one would ever carry the little Milton girl up many flights of stairs and then, as always, he had shut off his queer dreams of the little girl of the other half with a snap. After that he toiled on, wear- ing a not-tco-pleasant smile. Mae, com- ing to herself, looked into the face of the woman who was starved for mothering. ‘There, there, deary!”’ said Elsie. ‘“‘ Yuh can stay here till yuh get well. There, there!” “IT aint—” began Mae, and then she hid her face. Hargraves had silenced her sharply. “It’s what you are here,” he’d said, “ not what you were. I told you they were awful good folks.” ‘There, there!” said Elsie. ‘‘ Don’t fret, honey, don’t fret!” Mae had stayed. After Hargraves lost his work, she once suggested asking help of some one she knew, but had been silenced effectually. ‘“Ain’t you getting enough to eat?” asked Hargraves sharply. Mae nodded. She knew he was not, but she dared not Say it. “Well, then,” said Hargraves, ‘‘ every- thing’s O. K. I don’t want any help from that sort, Mae. And—if you ake it you leave here. Understand?” There had been a silence after that. Mae had bent over the dish-pan and Hargraves had glared at a week-old paper, not at all sensing its print. “ T’ll wipe the dishes for you,” said Har- graves after a moment. “You don’t need to.” “T’d just as soon,” he answered; and after he’d wiped them and hung up the towel on the line over the stove, he told her, with seventeen-year-old reserve, that he hadn’t meant to be cross, but that he had meant what he said. Mae didn’t answer, but after he left the room she hid her face in his coat which hung against the door. Hargraves looked around the saloon of Conny Maloney. He saw the free lunch, EOPMICLOO© CS (E@)