The Argosy, Volume XLIV — page 162: what you’re looking at

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

158 “Had any luck, sah? ” asked the boatman. “Yes. I had a whale on, but it was so big it took the pole. I had to let go to save my life.” Mr. Kloom doubled up and foared out his laughter. Mr. Yarrow paid him for the lost tackle and strolled again to the old fort. He scraped his heels on the coquina path, and snapped leaves from the ferns as he passed. He went out on the sea, wall once more, and then stood still and stared. Vaiking with that business-like air assumed by men who wish to appear forgetful of all business was Mr. Thorpe, and parading majestically be- side him was Mrs. Thorpe. They were buying things. That is, they had been, for Mrs. Thorpe carried palm fans, Florida beans, and alligator teeth, all nicely hidden in a bag. Behind them came a pretty girl, full of life, fun, and purity. That is, so far as her character was concerned. She was not so choice always of her gram- mar. And with her walked a tall, thin, cadaverous individual, ten years her senior, dressed in the conventional black of a minister. - | “That must be Van Noonck,” mut- tered Yarrow. “ He’s a fine match for a girl that can swim a mile.” Mr. Yarrow strolled in a direction that made it impossible for them to miss him. Mr. Thorpe held out his hand. He asked Yarrow when he arrived. Mrs. Thorpe stared, for she had an idea she knew why he had come. “Why, Dick Yarrow!” exclaimed Eleanor, assuming the greatest sur- prise. “ You at St. Augustine? Been here long?” “ No, not many days. Nice place.” “We came this morning. Permit me —Mr. Yarrow, Rev. Mr. Van Noonck. A friend of papa’s.” ” “Yes, and [ hope. of his daughter’s,” added Mr. Van Noonck, squinting his eves under his glasses. “Surest thing you know,” Eleanor. ing around here?” “Lots of it. I'll take you out.” said e OUgle “Say, Dick, is there any fish- ——s THE ARGOSY. “Ts it dangerous sailing?” asked Mr. Van Noonck. “Same as anywhere. If the boat 1s safe, it is safe in any water. Kloom has some good boats.” “ Who is Kloom? ” asked Eleanor. “Friend of mine. Has a yacht club of his own. [ll show you.” “ "Thanks, awfully. What a lovely old fort. My twenty-two Smith & Wesson would put holes all over it.” “Yes, but when it was built there were no twenty-two Smith & Wes- son’s.”’ Mr. Van Noonck clearly did not like this hight and meaningless talk. “The history of this place is worthy of concentrated thought,” he remarked. “Though called Fort Marion now, the ancient name of the fortress was San- Marco. In 1565 its construction was be- gun by Menendez de Aviles. It is clearly a type. of the oldest Spanish forts, and “ Almost as Moorish as the Ponce de Leon,” said Eleanor. “ Will you join us, Mr. Yarrow? It is only a stroll.” Mr. Yarrow would. They visited the old slave market. Mr. Van Noonck gave the history of slavery in Florida, and Yarrow looked things into the girl’s eyes. That night Mr. Yarrow made oppor- ‘tunities. He lay in wait for Mr. Thorpe, caught him on his way out from din- ner, and asked for a few minutes of his time. Mr. Thorpe blinked, but con- sented. In a secluded corner of the smokinv- parlor Yarrow had Mr. Thorpe pinned down. “Mr. Thorpe,” he said, “I won't waste your time. I'll talk fast. ‘But I want to marry Nell.” “Eh! Oh—yes, that’s fast enough to suit anybody. "But you can’t.” “Yes, I can. I’m old enough. I’m getting ‘to be a big man now. And J earn my own living.” Mr. Thorpe smiled grimly. He rather liked the voung.man. His man- ner of saving things was different from that of the men who fawned on Mr. ‘Thorpe, and almost whispered their in- telligences lest the great leather mer- chant be annoyed. (COL LOOOLK COL