Argosy, September 1955 — page 32: what you’re looking at

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

30 H. E. BATES He found her handbag on the bed. Unstripped, the bed was disorderly, and the bag, which was why she had forgotten it, was partly covered by her pillow. Its clasp sprang open as he picked it up. Its white jaws spilt lipstick and handkerchief, a few letters, a mirror, a little diary in black morocco. He felt intensely curious and wanted to open the diary. The bag gave out a perfume that floated about him for a moment, arousing in him a startling sensation of intimacy. Then he felt nervous and shut the bag quickly and rushed out of the cabin, only to find the purser coming to meet him on the deck, saying, ‘““ What was it, Mr. Manson? Was it something you could not find? ”’ He went on without answering, slipping hastily oncé again on the insecure mahogany cotton-reels of the gangway, down to a sea on which the launch’s scarlet pennant and the yellow dress were the only things that did not melt and sway. “You were very quick,” she said. ‘“‘ It was very kind of you.” The sea was so calm that it was possible for himself and the girl to stand motionless on the launch all the way from ship to shore. She stood erectly looking about her, searching the bay, the shore, and the abrupt hills above the town for colour. ‘‘It surprises me,” she said. ‘“‘ I’d expected something more exotic.” “It’s exotic in winter,” he said. ‘“ It’s all colour then. You should have come in winter. That’s when everybody comes.”’ It suddenly struck him that, after all, she was really not looking at the approaching shore. Something about her eyes made them seem glazed with preoccupation. *“T’m afraid it was my fault about the cable,’ she said. “ It should have been sent. But I was in a dreadful hurry. I made up my mind all of a sudden and then somehow—’”’ **T don’t know what you had in mind about hotels.” ‘“* I suppose they’re all shut,”’ she said. ** All the recognized ones.”’ ** Where do you live? In one not recognized? ”’ ‘** T wouldn’t recommend it,” he said. Forgetfulness about the cable, forgetfulness about the bag—he stood pondering uncertainly, staring at the approaching harbour pier, wondering where to take her. ** I do apologize about the cable,’” she said. “ I’m afraid you’re peeved.” ** T was trying to think of a possible solution to the hotel problem.” ‘* It’s no problem,”’ she said. “I’m not particular. I shall find something. I always do.” ‘* Had you any idea of how long you were staying?” he said. * As long as I like it.” ‘* It isn’t always possible to leave when you think you will,” he said. ‘‘ Ships are very irregular here. They don’t just happen when you think they’re going to.” ‘** Does anything?’ she said. —29 5S 4s eo) > - _“ al | (= comicbooksxeoiuie