Argosy, Vol. 118, No. 2 — page 51: what you’re looking at

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

FIXED BY GEORGE. “ Sorry for what?” ‘“ Spoiling the—er—pleasant evening you seemed to have planned, George. It’s a beautifully isolated spot for such adven- tures, isn’t it?” “T_T con’t know what you mean by that!” George stated hotly. “Don’t you?” the creature sneered. ‘Why the froth, then?” Her lips curled at George. She smiled and stepped down, turned toward Margery, and paused when that pallid young woman began to retreat. “See here, madam!’ George shouted. ce Toes”? “See here, George! Drop that idiotic virtuous indignation, will you?” asked the lady. ‘“ You’re used to fooling women, I presume, but this one is more than usually difficult to fool—although she wouldn’t have to be particularly astute to understand this little affair of yours.” The contempt rang clear in her voice. She snapped her fingers in George’s direc- tion and turned her attention to the clock again. Hot and cold at once, George Dare attained her side with one stride. How- ever she came to be here, this was a dan- gerous woman, of the type fully capable of blackmail later on. Not without war- rant, she had reached the conclusion Mar- gery most feared; and whatever had to be - said and done now, George would have to say and do it, in the way of clearing her unwholesome mind of its false impression. ‘““ Nevertheless, > ou’re wrong,” he began quietly. ‘‘ This lady—”’ “‘ George, she isv’t Geraldine!” said Miss Woodbury, and raised her thick brows! ~ “ She—she—” George gasped, amazedly. “ What—what on earth do you know about Geraldine?”’ “Well, among other things, I know that she doesn’t suspect you’re here with this pretty little lady. Does she, now?” “Of course not!” escaped George. ce Shea” : ‘Quite so—of course not. And if she éver should learn—”’ Miss Woodbury pur- sued, and seemed to be enjoying herself, when a sudden moan came from Margery Poole; a moan so loud and so sharp that both of them faced her quickly. Margery, white to the very lips, was clutching Aunt Amanda’s aged tapestry por- ttiére with cne hand, while the other pressed her bosom. Circles seemed to have grown beneath her eyes, these last minutes; thé eyes themselves were upon George Dare. ‘““T—see!” panted Margery. “You—what’s the matter?” asked, as he stepped to her. ““T see it all now! Don’t touch me, please! I’m not going to faint, and I don’t want to feel your horrible hands on me. I—oh! You, George! You, a friend all these years, and—and—” “What under the sun is it?” “Oh, I might have known it!” Margery blazed suddenly. ‘“ All men are like that! All men hang together! I trusted you— when I might have known, George! And you—you!”’ she cried, pointing at Miss Woodbury. “ You're the sort that make such things possible! Creatures like you make men what they are!”’ The finger trembled; Margery panted. Miss Woodbury merely smiled. “It sounds interesting, but I haven’t caught the drift of it yet,” she said smooth- George ly. “ You're accusing George of something naughty. Is that it?” “Please! You told him that you were not a fool; be good enough to believe that I am not, either!” the astonished Margery cried fiercely. ‘‘ You know quite well what I mean. This was all arranged between you!” “What was arranged?” George gasped. ‘““Everything! Because Arthur has done what he has done, I had to be kept silent! You brought me to a place of this charac- ter, so that he could find me here with you and with—that woman. And afterward, whatever he may do, I’m to hold my peace forever because he can threaten me with di- vorce, and hold—hold that woman eternally over my head as a witness!”’ “Margery, you’re—you’re—” George stuttered. “Wrong? Oh, no, I’m not! She gave it all away when she came down those stairs ‘ and called you by name!” . Miss *Voodbury laughed outright. With- 201 in his skull, George felt a strange pressure suggesting that it was about to burst. (€(0) v_OoOK AAG (E@)