Argosy All-Story Weekly, April 18, 1925 — page 105: what you’re looking at

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

SOFT MONEY, od ard, ‘‘ and we don’t know whether we are going to cave in or not. I can tell you that I prefer this ship when she isn’t dancing around.”’ ‘“ It will be worse before it’s better,” said the captain, smiling. ‘‘ The glass has been falling and we are in for a blow, but it won’t be anything very serious. This isn’t the hurricane season.’ ‘Tf want to thank you for your courtesy to me last night,” said Rod. “I must have seemed very ungracious, but you know what a predicament I was in.” “It’s all right, my boy. I was very hasty. The young lady in question laid me out when she heard about it, and I was trying to make amends. By the way, Mr. Campbell, are you in business in Kansas Citv?” “Why, not exactly,” said Howard un- easily. “You draw your income from some busi- ness in that city, don’t you?” “ Er—yes. Why do you ask?” “Oh, I had a chap make me an invest- ment proposition. Something out that way. I thought I might ask your advice.”’ “Tl be very pleased to make inquiries for you, captain. I’m not much of a busi- ness man myself.” ‘We'll go into the matter later,” said the skipper, rising. “‘ We’re going to get a lot of rain in a few minutes and I’m going up on the bridge for a while. So I must get into my oilskins.”’ ‘““Why do’ you suppose he asked me about Kansas City?” demanded Howard. “He explained.” “Yes, but it sounded kind of fishy.” “ So did your answers to his question.” 255 “T wish we hadn’t changed places. It would seem queer to anybody who found out about it.” ‘We didn’t change places. We retained our own names. [ told you to say we were friends, but this secretary business is a dis- ease with you. It’s your fault if everybody on board thinks you are rich and [ am your secretary. I haven’t discussed our affairs with anybody.” . ‘“ Supposing they go to suspecting me of having made off with the old lady’s jewelry?” “You can get suspected easier on this ship than any place I have ever been in. Look at me.” “T’m about the only man they have spoken to at all. I think I had better go find them and sort of make them realize I couldn’t have had anything to do with ae “Go ahead,” said Rod. magazine.” He had picked up a magazine from a vacant chair at his right. In a few minutes he was absorbed in an article regarding potato bugs. The article was wrong in several places, but it was well written, and dealt with a subject with which he was familiar. Somebody came and occupied the chair at his left. He did not look up. There was a polite cough. Then a timid, small, sweet voice said: “Mr. McGarry.” He looked up with a start. . Gertrude Thomas sat in the chair beside him. She was leaning forward and looking at him with wide, dark eyes. She was obviously frightened. . “T'll read this TO BE CONCLUDED NEXT WEEK u Le] ON PACIFIC’S BEACH "THE purple mountain towers high Against a gold and crimson sky. This great sea powders into white. And yet—oh, Broadway at night! Mary Carolyn Davies. Gomichbooks Gol