Argosy All-Story Weekly, February 5, 1921 — page 47: what you’re looking at

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

THE GREATEST GAMBLE. Julia doesn’t feel the same about it as | do. Anyway, it’s none of her business. “Now, look here, listen sharp: | want you to go up to London for me to-morrow. Give any reason you like except the right one.” I feel I can trust you, Letty. But first you’re to go to Mrs. Howland’s shop in River Street, the Keys, and find out where Grace is. I believe she’s supposed to be staying with an aunt somewhere in London, but her mother will know. ‘And then you’re to get hold of Grace, give her this money—make her take it— and tell her I want her to come back to Beltingham, and as soon as I’m able I want to see her. She'll wish to know why, the baggage! Well, you can say that I’ve heard of some relative of hers who’s died and left her a fortune. That ’ll be enough to go on with. Am I making myself clear, Letty?” “T think I understand what you want me to do,”’ Letty replied, confused beyond ex- pression. “But do you understand that nobody else—not even Rickey—is to know?’ “Yes, Uncle Bill.” “Then that’s all.”’ She got up, thrusting the notes into the bosom of her dress. Whatever happened, she had a very good alibi when it came to her proposed trip to London. As she descended the stairs the dinner- gong sounded; assembled with the others in the dining-room she found not only Julia, but Derrick. He had arrived late, and was apologizing for not having time to change -when Letty came in. CHAPTER XXII. MAUD SPEAKS HER MIND. ETTY’S perceptions were so keen that she had scarcely taken her seat at table before she realized a subtle difference in Julia’s manner toward her. Heretofore Julia’s dislike had been veiled. She had pretended to defer to Letty, to be sweetly anxious to please her. But this ‘evening her hostility was plain enough to _the unfortunate girl involved. Perhaps the Mothers didn’t notice, but Letty did. There 300 was an insolence in the pale eyes, a tighten- ing of the thin lips whenever Julia looked in her direction. Possibly, thought Letty, Julia knew that Uncle Bill had sent for her privately and resented it. She was very far from guessing that Julia was in the possession of her secret. The talk at table was -mostly between Julia and Derrick, and had to do with affairs at thee Works. Julia pleaded her great fatigue, and the subject of Derrick’s obtain- ing an eleventh-hour discharge was re- opened. Apparently it had been under dis- cussion earlier in ‘the day, and Letty felt immensely hurt that she had not been in- formed of this possible change of plan. Her feelings were of the least considera- tion, it seemed. It depended entirely upon Julia’s whims whether Derrick was to con- tinue at the Works or go out to India with his regiment. The War Office was complai- sant about it. A head certainly was re- quired at Tavenors, but until just now Julia had volunteered for that job, and had in- sisted almost hysterically that Rickey was to do his duty as a soldier. And now she had changed again, almost at the very last moment. “ Father is quite cross about your going, Rickey,” she said with a wan smile. “ He told me this evening that I was ‘ officious.’ ” ‘I think you’ve been most tremendous- ly kind and helpful,” Derrick replied. “I don’t know what I should have done with- out you.” Julia gave him a tender look for the com- pliment. It was extraordinary how sweet her expression became whenever she was addressing Derrick. “You know, Rickey, I’d do anything in the world to help you. I thought you want- ed to go to India—”’ ‘““T don’t a bit.” “ Well, I mean you felt it to be your duty. But if I crock up, it will be an awful business here. Rickey, could you send them a telegram and accept the discharge thev’ve offered you? Or is it too late?”’ ‘No, it isn’t too late,’’ Derrick said slow- ly. ‘ They’ve kindly left it open on ac- count of the uncertainty.” “Then vou'll stay, Rickey?” Letty’s heart thumped o2irfullyarashe>