Argosy, Vol. 1 (1882) — page 145: what you’re looking at

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

| 136 a confession. Oh, yes, he’d forgive you like a book, but where would I be at? Hey? Do you think that he would ever overlook the fact that I played the ‘horrible accident’ game on him? Not much! I’m going to keep this thing up till I’m strong enough to travel—that is, so far as he is concerned, for I shall go out nights with you—and then you and I, and two others whom I shall in- vite, are going to take a trip abroad, at my expense. “You needn’t think that I excuse you, for I don’t. If you had done the thing on your own hook, for your own self, I1’d have helped to put a striped suit on you—I would, by the Lord Harry! As it 1s, you ought to be pun- ished! I’ll admit that, too; but it will punish you a whole lot more to compel you to lock the thing up in your own heart, than it would to let you go and blow the whole affair to the governor. He’d be proud of you, and before you had been an hour with him, you'd be ass enough to think that you had done a fine thing. ‘“ And there’s Néed! Well, if you have got any appreciation or chivalry in your soul, you'll keep that confounded mouth of yours shut. That’s all I’ve got to say. If you still insist upon blowing your horn, go and do it, but you and I are strangers from that min- ute. Lord! how I want to smoke! Give me a cigar, can’t you? ”’ Pike Millington had a way of over- coming opposition of all kinds wher- ever he met with it, and this case was not an exception, so that by the time nine o’clock struck the two men had arrived at a thorough understanding. “Now, Felix,” said Pike then, “ I am going out for an hour or two. I think you ought to remain here this time, for the governor might run in, you know. Will you telephone for a coupé, while I dress?” “Where are you going?” “To get some air. I feel as though I had been on that bed for a week.” But he had another object than fresh THE ARGOSY. air, for when he entered the cab, he di- rected the driver to take him to the Millington as quickly as he could; and when he arrived, he went at once to Rita’s apartment and rang the bell. Marie opened the door and instantly invited him to enter. He _ passed through the corridor, entered the par- lor, and found—as it seemed that he had expected to find—Clarita Ortega eagerly awaiting him. “Mr. Millington!” she exclaimed. “Iam so glad you have come at last. I was growing very anxious, although you assured me in the note that you believed it would be all right. You are very late. It is almost ten. What was the danger which threatened Felix? Is he safe? Is there anything that [—_——”’ Millington held up both hands, laughingly. “Everything is all right,” he said. “That answers all your questions at once. So I was right, eh? You have been here all the time, eh? ” “Yes. I did not go away. I have not left the house at all.” “Wise little girl! Wiser than Solo- mon! I suspected it this morning. I heard the swish of your skirts.” ‘What was the danger that threat- ened Felix? Will you tell me?” It isn’t necessary now. It’s all over, and he 1s as safe as a church. Do you remember that scoundrel Chapman? He put up a job on our friend ; I headed him off; that’s all there is to it. But there 1s something else on my mind now.” ‘More trouble, Mr. Millington? ” “ Yes; I am afraid so.” “For Felix?” “Yes.” “What is it? Tell me at once what it 1s.” “ Well, I can’t tell you all in a minute, but I think he is going away.” “Going away! When? Where?” ‘IT don’t know, exactly. You see, it all came through something I said to him.” GOnniGoook eo