The Argosy for May — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

THE TIME FOR ACTION. there was anything inherently wrong in this period of wild oats sowing on the part of Rock. He was a more than ordi- narily clean - minded young fellow, and he rigidly frowned upon any suggested diversions which touched upon absolute evil. \ No, at the worst, his dissipations were merely idle pleasure-seeking, and in an- other type of man might not have been considered even blameworthy ; but it was because he was of finer metal and of greater capabilities than his roistering companions that his conduct must be judged reprehensible. He attended to business as faithfully as ever; his handling of the bank’s funds was as straight as a string; there was nothing in his behavior upon which his employers could justly have laid a finger of criticism. Yet he was spending more money than he earned; and that is al- ways dangerous. Yes, it certainly cost money to travel in Arthur Corning’s crowd, and Rock made it fly as fast as any of them, al- though it must be confessed that even he failed to equal the lavish prodigality of Corning himself. For, despite his engagement, the young Walt Street man continued as the leader, the life and soul of their little coterie. The prospect of his new re- sponsibilities, instead of causing him to settle down, actually seemed to render him more wild and reckless than before. This, too, notwithstanding the fact, as Rock had: heard whispered about down- town, that his free expenditure, coupled with some crippling business losses he had sustained as a result of his inex- perience at the Wall Street game, had seriously impaired his fortune. Still, that did not make any especial difference, thought» Harry; Anita un- doubtedly had enough for two. And, in all probability, Corning consoled himself with the same reflection. It was this suggestion, however, which first turned the bank-clerk a little against his brilliant friend. ‘The sturdy country boy who had made his own way could not help feeling a certain contempt for a chap who, having wasted his own patrimony, would be content to sponge upon his wife for the remainder of his days! 199 There were other things, too, in Corning’s deportment which of late had caused him somewhat to temper his former unqualified admiration. Nothing very tangible, it is-true, consisting most- ly in the adoption of a somewhat coarser and “ sportier’ habit of speech, and the occasional introduction into their circle of more or less questionable acquaint- ances; but, unimportant as these trifles were, they formed for Harry a “ fly in the ointment pot,” and the rift between the two men was gradually growin wider. : ee : Matters stood about in this shape when young George Ramsey came bus- tling into Rock’s rooms one evening just about dinner-time, his face all aquiver with excitement. ‘ Gee,” he exclaimed, throwing him- self into a chair, ‘‘ but we have been having a royal old muss up at the house!” ss Harry glanced up with unfeigned surprise. The idea of a ‘‘muss” at the well-ordered Ramsey home, where every- thing appeared to run upon oiled wheels, seemed almost a contradiction in terms. - “Yes, we have certainly been having a merry session,’ went on George, con- senting to explain. ‘‘ You see, the old man dropped on to Corning pretty hard some weeks ago, and put the question up to me as to just what sort of fellow he was. “Well, of course, I stood up for Ar- thur, not only because he is a friend of mine, but also—” He hesitated. “ Well, because he is negotiating some business matters for me which I don’t particular- ly care to have the’ old man find out about—” “You're a fool,” broke in Harry se- verely. ‘‘ What business have you got that your father shouldn’t know. ‘To my mind, you’d do a great deal better to consult him, and take his advice whenever you have any transactions on hand. I know it has been dollars and cents in my pocket to heed what he has to say.” “OH, that’s all right,” rejoined George. “ Another time I would prob- ably go to him, but I am into this thing, and, as I say, I didn’t especially want him to get next. Besides, you/ needn't. preach,” blustering up a bit. “I guess Commiclnookexeo) m,.