Argosy All-Story Weekly, April 18, 1925 — page 88: what you’re looking at

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

238 that she would walk right up to Mr. Mc- Garry, thank him for his rescue and apolo- gize for the incident of the deck chair. The steward following close behind him meant nothing to her. She stepped in front of him and began in a hesitating manner: “ Mr.—Mr. McGarry.” She met a look in which disgust, con- tempt, dislike and scorn were so evident that she shrank aside. He passed her with- out turning his head. She watched him descend the stairs with mingled emotions in which anger and wounded pride were upmost. Then she tossed her head, shrugged her shoulders and passed out on deck. After all her con- science was clear, she had wished to apolo- gize and the man had rebuffed her in the most insolent manner. Evidently he hated her intensely, and in that case there was nothing more to be done. She told herself that she hated him, There had been a few persons on deck near enough to overhear the conversation between Rod and the captain. They were numerous enough to spread it all over the ship in a few moments. Only Mrs. Thomas, serene in her unapproachableness, did not hear it and as Gertrude immediately joined her, the rumor escaped her also. Howard Campbell and Mary Norman heard it within half an hour as they sat in the veranda café outside the smoke room. Three or four women were excitedly dis- cussing it. They mentioned Rod by name, but did not know who the girl was who had been insulted. Mary’s eyes flashed. “Why, this is the most abominable, out- rageous thing I ever heard in my life! The poor, innocent creature! Imagine arresting him and locking him in his stateroom. I never would have believed that Gertrude could be capable of such a thing. What on earth sent her to the captain with a tale she had already admitted to be based on a misapprehension?” ‘“ Tt’s damnable,” declared Howard. “ But what can be done about it? Nobody will believe a man against a girl.” “T’ll go to the captain. I'll lead her there by the ear. If she doesn’t straighten things out I'll never speak to her as long ~ ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. as I live. Of all the hopeless snobs she is the worst I ever knew. And yet I can’t believe it. She was the sweetest thing ima- ginable in college. : “* Maybe Rod committed some offense we don’t know anything about.” “ Of course he didn’t? How could he? Why, it’s not half an hour ago that he left us and Gertrude was talking with us after that. You go see the captain right away. I'll find her.” With fire in her eye, Mary sped along the deck looking for her friend. She knew the location of the Thomas deck chairs and she spied Gertrude sitting beside her mother. Both were reading. Breathless she paused in front of them. ‘“‘ Gertrude, I weouldn’t have believed it of you. Of all the cruel, brutal things, that you should treat this man who never did you any harm, in so outrageous a manner!” It was the wrong approach to the proud and raging young woman whose humilia- tion was so recent. “I don’t know what you are talking about,” she said, “ but if you are referring to the McGarry person, I refuse to discuss him,” ‘Then consider our friendship at an end. I never want to see or speak to you again.” Gertrude winced and her pride helped her. “Use your own judgment, my dear,” she ‘said coldly, and dropped her eyes on her book. : Mrs. Thomas was regarding Mary with cold disapproval, but she said nothing at all. Mary hesitated a second then turned and walked slowly away. The captain who had been sinmoried to his quarters immediately after his ar- rest of Rod, was encountered by Howard a few moments later descending the ladder from the bridge deck. ‘* May I have the honor of a few words with you, captain,” he began tactfully. The skipper smiled affably. “ Certainly, sir. What can I do for you?” ‘My name is Howard Campbell. I am informed that you have placed a Mr. Mc- Garry under arrest and confined him to his stateroom.” “ That is so.” . Gomichbooks (E)