Argosy, Vol. 118, No. 2 — page 83: what you’re looking at

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

THE HOUSE OF THE ECHO. Although, for He would where in her conversation. that matter, neither was Alan. ask about her work or about the house, and receive at best an equivocal answer. In return, she would inquire coquettishly into his personal habits and opinions—especial- ly as to his preferences regarding the oppo- site sex. For instance, was he fonder of blondes than of brunettes? They both probably became discour- aged at about the same time. Zelda, however, determined upon a last desperate effort, now took Alan into her confidence. With careless art she had en- sconced herself among the pillows of a dav- enport, the length of which served admir- ably to display pulchritude and shapely contour, from glistening blond crown to silk-clad, neatly curved ankle. From this “commanding position she murmured arch- ly, eyes downcast: “T been strong for you ever since I first saw you play. Maybe you remember, you sort o’ noticed me, too.” “Most certainly did,” returned .Alan, smiling blandly. ‘‘ You were the most stunning girl in the room, as [ told the lit- tle lady whom I am to marry.” A red-velvet curtain, concealing the door leading to the next room, trembled, appar- ently swayed by a breeze, although there was no breeze. | Zelda’s smile had passed. For the space of a half-minute she lay absolutely still. Then the blue satin slippers with their gleaming cut-steel buckles slipped off the couch and came firmly to the floor. Zelda sat stiffly upright, and looked Alan boldly in the eye. As she spoke the pulsating notes of her deep-toned voice expressed ful- ly the bitterness they were meant to convey: “ You don’t need to stall, kid. I under- stand. All I gotta say is: the old hell- cat “ll purr around you for just so long. Then she’ll dig her claws into you and it ’ll be good night. Risky fooling, kid; risky fooling, no matter how wise you play it. She’s got us all bluffed.” Alan laughed—a little mechanically. “I don’t understand you at all, Zelda,” he said, rising. ‘ But I’m afraid I must leave such agreeable company for this time.” 233 Again the curtain shook slightly. A little while later the Echo was sitting at her desk. Her face wore a smile of grim satisfaction, and she chuckled softly: “ He picks his company, anyway. Knows that girl, once a cellar-rat, isn’t in his class.” Presently she said over the phone: . ‘‘ Charles, never mind about Zelda.” Then, as the Echo mused, her eyes fros- tily twinkled with a whimsical idea. CHAPTER VI. A TEMPTRESS OR TWO. ‘THE convent bell, and the yawning and stretching of Tom, the cat, reminded Sophia that it was growing dusk, and she had not the proper light to sew by. She proceeded better to illuminate the bookshop; then stood watching casual pe- destrians, and the men who, singly or in groups, were passing, on their way to the meeting at Slav Hall. All at once she beamed and exclaimed with pleasure: “ Really coming to see me, are you?” she scolded as “Alan closed the door. For response—there being no book-lovers present, and none else likely to see—Alan did what would have been expected of any affianced young man. But.the girl of the bookshop was not to be diverted from he mock wrath. | ~ “ Mr. Man, do you realize that ever since you took to playing at the inn you’ve pre- tended to be too busy to notice me, almost? And this time is the worst of all! Three days since last you called!”’ At her mention of the inn a moody shadow crossed the young musician’s face. Sophia, whose quick eyes caught it, in- quired anxiously: “Everything is going well with you there?” “Of course!” was the cheerful reply, which in no wise deceived the girl. “I’m making good money—it’s been a big help to me,” he assured her. “ They tell me my work is satisfactory.” Sophia loyally exclaimed: ‘‘ Certainly it’s | satisfactory!” After a silence, she asked hesitatingly, while fingering a button on his coat-sleeve: v.OoOK COMEE (€@)