The Argosy for May — page 157: what you’re looking at

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

344 He felt a growing repugnance for London, and began to plan for his ar- rival in New York. With these thoughts uppermost in his mind, he started for Myers’s place again. Although he knew the theatrical man- ager did not make a practise of reaching his office before eleven o’clock in the morning, Walker presented himself there about nine-thirty, hoping that by some chance Myers might arrive before his regular time. But, as the moments passed slowly, and the hands of the office clock neared the hour of eleven, the playwright’s nervousness increased until it became a positive torture. Suddenly the unkept engagement of the night before came before him. It had entirely slipped his memory during the morning, and he realized he had committed a breach of etiquette that de- manded an immediate explanation et some description. Yet he feared to leave the manager’s office, feeling certain Myers might come in at any moment. And he might not stay, and— In the midst of his Rouguts Walker’s eyes had wandered to the telephone in- strument upon the wall; and a resolution came to him. Here was an opportunity to phone without expense, and still re- main on the watch for his quarry. “Would you object to my _ using your telephone a moment?” he inquired pleasantly of the boy, forcing a smile to his face. ‘‘I have forgotten to make a call that is necessary, and if I go out to do so, I may miss Mr. Myers.” The lad did not deign to look up from the paper in which he appeared so in- terested. ‘All right,” he agreed. Walker stepped to the and, after ascertaining the telephone number of the hotel at which Miss Bailey was stopping, removed the re- ceiver and asked for the connection. A brief wait; and a voice at the other end informed him: “ This is the Royal —with whom do you wish to speak? ” ‘“‘ Miss Bailey,” the playwright replied. ‘Ts she in?” “T do not know; but I will find out for you,” came over the wire. “ Who shall I say wishes to speak to her?” Mr. Walker.” instrument, THE ARGOSY. ‘“ Just a moment, please.” Walker knew he was not a good one at inventing excuses; and nervously rested first upon one foot, then upon the other, while he waited for the voice he had asked for. “Anyway,” he reasoned to himself, “this is better than being face to face. She cannot see my countenance giving the lie to my words.” Just then a voice which he. recognized queried: “Is this you, Mr. Walker?” “It is; and good morning, Miss Bailey,’ was the stammered response. 6e 4 ra “Now make it a good excuse while you are about it,’ the other interrupted. ‘Really, I am very angry. Why did you not join us last night?” “Business prevented!’ Walker de- clared so positively that he was himself amazed at the truthful sound of the statement. “A manager sent for me, regarding my play, and, of course, I had to respond.” ‘“And it was accepted, after all?” Miss Bailey inquired eagerly. ““No—not yet.” Walker’s tone was doleful in the extreme. ‘“ But he is look- ing quite favorably upon it. These things all take time, you know.” “Well; his looking favorably upon it is something,” the voice remarked quiet- ly. “ But, really, you should have com- municated with me. Perhaps I am sel- fish in even thinking this way, because I know business before pleasure every time. But Carroll was so disappointed. You see, I had told him you were to be here, and he said he wanted to see you very much.” “And who queried. “Why, Carroll Dempster, was the chiding reply. “He says he knows you. You ought to know him— he made the big success in ‘The Cross- roads.’ ”’ “TI remember him,” the other re- turned. “‘I knew him before he was prominent.” ‘He said he was quite anxious to see you,’ Miss Bailey went on, ‘‘ and asked if I knew where you were stopping. Fortunately, I remembered where I had dropped you the other day, and told him. He smiled very strangely, and said he is Carroll?” Walker foolish,” 0)(0)(6) ANG S (C@