Argosy All-Story Weekly, January 13, 1923 — page 111: what you’re looking at

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

Ag LT Ge RO OR = — a, roe ge ee NS ge Ie Mn me ee, ee GOOD LOOKING AND RICH. before you’re a week or two older. I saw your aunt yesterday. We talked the whole thing over in detail. She not only agreed with me in this matter; she suggested it herself!” “ Well, I know,” John said swiftly, “ but —well, here! This—er—estate’s not set- tled yet, Mr. Potter. I'd like to stay here until—well, until the whole thing’s in my hands, you understand.” The head of the firm leaned back and thought hard for some seconds, eventually directing at John a firm little smile. “Even so, I’m sure you’re best out of here,” he said flatly. ‘ You see, Jack, after the first week or so, the initial joy over your inheritance is bound to subside; you'll be less willing than ever to quit here, and it will be just so much harder. You know, you are too much inclined to get into a groove and stay there. It’s not going to take many months to clear up the estate?” “* A—a few!” “ You’ve saved plenty to run along on iu ‘that time? Even if you have not, you'll be able to draw on the estate, of course?” “ Well, this—this estate’s in—ah—a very odd—” . “ And if you’re mot, I’ll be tickled to death to lend you whatever you need with- in reason,” said Mr. Potter, who got an idea and then stuck firmly to it. “ Have a couple of thousand now if you need it. But I do want to see you get out and spread your wings.and find yourself.” “ That—I appreciate that—” Mr. Har- ley staggered on. “¢ Another aspect to the thing, too,” pur- sued the head of the firm. ‘“ Jobs aren’t any too plentiful these days, and a man who doesn’t actually need his ought to step aside for the fellow who does. Id meant to send Phelps on the road, you know, and push you up into his place and let Dixon have yours. This rather simplifies things, because Dixon can step into your shoes now—and he needs the increase of salary. Three kids and a house in Jersey he’s try- ing to pay for. He’ll be glad!” “Yes, I—I suppose he will be glad!” John’s numbed tongue said bitterly. Without apparent provocation, Mr. Pot- ter burst into another gale of merriment. ee ee PIS se 573 ** Upon my soul, you’re the funniest chap T ever saw!” he cried. ‘“ You’re rich. Un- less you choose, you need never raise a hand from now until your dying day—and still you’re sitting there and glooming over a ninety-dollar job as if your very bread and butter depended on it. Oh, cheer up, John! Don’t be absurd. Be sure that your only trouble is a brain very badly habituated to one line of thought. You'll wake up shortly and realize that this is all only surgeon’s kindness, as I said a moment ago. Now get out of here, young fellow, and rub your eyes and see if you’re not able to discern a few of the wonderful things that are waiting for you to seize them!” He rose with an emphatic jerk. The ghastly interview was over. “‘T suppose I may finish the week here?” John choked. “No, sir! Potter. “* Well—well, the day, then?” “ Um—possibly,” chuckled the head of the firm, and his eyes twinkled prodigious merriment as he bestowed on John’s shoul- der another of those ironic little pats. “‘ Yes, as a very special concession, I think you may stay around here until four or so—and after that, for three years at least, I never want to lay eyes on you in this office eX- cept as a guest.” “* Three years?” Mr. Potter kept on with his maddening patting, but grew more grave. - “Some day you'll, get tired of jogging around; come back thén and buy out the old firm, if you want it. Ql be no younger then, you know. That’s what I meant. Run along now.” In the large outer office they had been awaiting quite eagerly John’s reappearance and his speech. A wave of giggling passed over them as John closed the door of Mr. Potter’s room—and as they noted John’s expression the wave ‘subsided rather sud- denly. The new millionaire, apparently, had been having trouble with the head of the firm; without a glance or a word to any of them he had returned to his desk and he was scowling blackly. Could they have penetrated beneath the scowl and read Mr. Harley’s true thoughts just then, it is pos- You may not!” guffawed Mr. CORMEOOOKS