Argosy All-Story Weekly, April 18, 1925 — page 85: what you’re looking at

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

SOFT MONEY, Howard smiled, a bit craftily. ‘“ I think you are foolish, but have it your own way.” They finished breakfast and went up on deck. The beauty of the ship and the sea, the sense of exquisiteness which prevailed on the decks thrilled both of them. It was a joy to be afloat on such a ship upon such an ocean. They made a few circuits of the deck and upon their third lap saw Mary Norman and Gertrude Thomas turn the corner of the deck house at the after end. ‘““ Exit Roderick McGarry,” declared Rod, and slipped through the saloon entrance. Howard stepped to the rail and waited the girls. They were both charming in their shipboard costumes. Mary wore a white sweater and a black tam, Gertrude had a blue walking suit and a little blue turban. Their eyes were sparkling with joy of the morning and the voyage. “Was that Mr. McGarry whose back I saw going through the saloon entrance?” demanded Mary. Howard grinned. ‘“* Himself, no less.” “Why the hasty exit?” she demanded meanly. “T offered to present him to Miss Thomas.” Gertrude reddened with annoyance. “ After what has happened, I hope you would not be rude enough to present him to me withcut first asking my permission.” *“ Of course not: And he wouldn’t let me if I tried. He doesn’t want to meet you any more than you want to meet him.”’ “T am truly sorry about the deck chair incident,” said Gertrude, whose eyes were snapping with more anger than contrition. ‘But I consider him an objectionable per- son and I should be very angry with either of you if you tried to force me to meet him.” ~“ Don’t go and tell him that,” said Mary, looking shrewdly at Howard. “I don’t think you are being very nice repeating to Gertrude things Mr. McGarry may have said in haste, and carrying back to him such stupid remarks as she has just made.” “Who? Me?” demanded Howard in pained surprise. ‘I’m no tale bearer, I had no intention of creating ill feeling. I’m just trying to explain why Rod beat it when you two girls came in sight. As a matter 239 of fact, he doesn’t want anything to do with women. He has just had an unpleasant experience with a girl out home and he’s off the sex.” | Not being well acquainted with female psychology he did not realize that this state- ment caused an active interest in Rod to spring up in both their hearts. A woman hater, a misogynist—why, nothing is so in- teresting to a young girl as a man who has eliminated her sex from his scheme of things. Mary laughed shortly. ‘“ If that is so, Gertrude, you must have been doubly mis- taken.” Gertrude flushed violently. ‘“‘ I don’t care to walk with you,” she declared, “ and if you have any liking for me please don’t refer to this uncouth secretary person again in my hearing.” She passed into the wide hallway and started to descend the broad stairs leading to the deck below. The first flight stopped at a wide landing half way to the lower deck, where one turned and descended to the deck by a short flight at either hand. Gertrude was retreating with great dig- nity and had placed her little foot upon the first step down when her high French heel broke completely off, causing her to lose her balance. She clutched at the rail, missed it and was precipitated head first down the stairs. It happened that Rod McGarry was ascending and reached the landing in_ time to see a young woman plunging toward him. He stooped and caught her deftly in his arms before her head had time to come in contact with the steps. Even up- side down he recognized her face, and he set her on her feet, bowed curtly and con- tinued upward two steps at a time. He was out of the upper hall and on deck be- fore she had time to rally her confused senses, Of all people in the world, it had to be he who had saved her from a serious ac- cident. Ordinary courtesy demanded that she thank him, but so little time was given her that she could not find words before he disappeared. She stood on the landing on one foot, holding to the hand rail and ruefully re- GEomichooks (E@)