Argosy All-Story Weekly, October 25, 1924 — page 78: what you’re looking at

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

68 at this gypsy-like creature. To think that any one could laugh in such a situation! ‘No, not through the window,” ex- claimed Tina. ‘“ Valdez was right on top of me. He had his arms almost around me when I grabbed that big knife from his sash and made a pass at him. Not trying to hurt him, you know. Just to make him watch his step! I was laughing all the time and he didn’t know how to take it.” “You pulled a knife on him!” ‘Sure! And when he saw that half a yard of steel coming his way he began to back off. Then he and I did a dagger dance right across the ballroom. Valdez made wonderful time for a fat man. You’d have died laughing! ‘““Nobody came between. Maybe they thought it was part of the show—or maybe they thought I’d gone crazy and would put the knife into him.” ‘“T wish to God you had!” “ Honest George, I couldn’t do it! He looked so funny! MHe’s just a grown-up baby! Valdez didn’t stop when he got to the doorway. He went right through it as if he were in a hurry. As soon as I got out- side I didn’t stick around to say good-by or to get my wraps or anything. I ducked for the trail and was half way down it before the shooting began.” Suddenly Tina’s laughter went unnatur- ally shrill and almost immediately. she be- gan to sob. George leaned over and patted her on the shoulder, slipping one arm around her and drawing her to him. “What’s the matter, dear? hurt?” he asked tenderly. “T don’t know. I guess it’s just a few scratches and bruises.” “There, there,” said George. ‘“ Don’t cry! You'll be all right. Don’t cry!” And he held her closer. But at this, Tina shed real-tears and stiffening in his arms she ex- claimed indignantly: “Why shouldn’t I cry? Hasn’t a girl got a right to cry if she wants to?” And having asserted her sex, Tina relaxed again on George’s shoulder. The driver turned his head to speak into the car. ‘Shall I stop at Bori’s house or go straight into town?” Are you ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. ‘“‘ Stop at Gian’ Bori’s,” directed George and in a few minutes the car halted at his partner’s house. Gian’ Bori came running out-at the sound of the car and began to pour out a stream of maledictions upon the head of Pedro Valdez. What sort of a man was this! To break into a man’s house, ‘butcher his wife and kidnap women! Maladetta! He would shoot that scoundrel on sight! Though Signora Bori was able to sit up and talk coherently, she was still suffering from the shock. She would never be the same after this outrage, declared Bori. ‘Is Harbison still here?” demanded George, but at that moment his question was answered by the appearance of Harbison and his wife at the door. “Get in quick!” cried George. ‘ We'll take you back to your hotel. You’re just the man I want to see.” As the car drove them back through com- paratively level streets to the hotel, George continued: “Margot, here’s a New York manager. I know him. He’s white clean through! He wants to give you a contract for big time. Seven hundred and fifty a week and your name in lights on Broadway!”’ “Do you mean it?” cried Margot. “ Youw’re not joking?” ‘Would I be joking now?” retorted George. And Harbison broke in: ‘‘ This is straight goods, Miss Dalby. I saw your act and I know it would go big on Broadway.” “Big! It would be a knock-out, deary,” burbled Mrs. Harbison. “And you will give me a contract at seven hundred and fifty a week?” “That’s just a starter! It will be more than that in less than six months.” ‘Just a starter, honey,” echoed Lily Harbison. ‘““'You’ve got to decide at once, for Mr. Harbison sails to-day,” urged George. “You won’t even have a chance to get your things from the hotel. It wouldn’t be safe to go back.” Margot smiled bitterly. ‘ Precious little to get! Guy pawned everything he could lay his hands on.” COMmicloookKks (C@)