The Argosy, Vol. 76, No. 3 — page 192: what you’re looking at

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

662 ‘What name?” “ Bennett.” ‘“That’s your name, then?” 66 Yes.”’ ‘‘ Anything besides Bennett?” “My name’s Kate.” The young man nodded. ‘““T’d make a pretty good district at- torney,” he said, disarming possible re- sentment at this cross-examination. “I guess you’re wondering if I’m ever go- ing to stop asking you questions. Well, what would you like to do?” ‘Don’t you think we ought to go back and find your friend and Gene- vieve? They will be wondering where- we are.” “Let ’em,” said the young man briefly. “ I’ve had all I want of Jenny.” “T can’t understand why you don’t like her.” | “T like you. Shall we have some ice-cream, or would you rather go on the scenic railway?” Katie decided on the more peaceful pleasure. They resumed their walk, sociably licking two cones. Out of the corner of her eyes Katie cast swift glances at her friend’s face. He was a very: grave young man. There was something important as well as handsome about him. Once, as they made their way through the crowds, she saw a couple of boys look almost reverently at him. She wondered who he could be, but was too shy to inquire. She had got over her nervousness to a great extent, but there were still limits to what she felt herself equal to saying. It did not strike her that it was only fair that she should ask a few questions in return for those which he had put. She had always repressed herself, and she did so now. She was content to be with him, without finding out his name and history. He supplied the former just before he finally consented to let her go. They were standing looking over the river. The sun had spent its force, and it was cool and pleasant in the breeze which was coming up the Hudson. THE ARGOSY. Across the river a mist had risen, softening the grim outlines of the city, so that a gas-works, seen dimly, looked almost romantic, like some medieval castle. In the swimming-pool behind them, belated bathers still splashed and shouted. Others sat silently on the railing, perched like great birds. Not even the shrill cries of children riding upon the “teaser,” combined with the strains of three bands and the forceful music of the distant merry- go-round, could quite destroy the peace of the evening. Katie was conscious of a vague feeling that she was almost melancholy. it had been a lovely after- noon, and she was sorry that it was over. : The young man shuffled his feet on the loose stones. “Tm mighty glad I met you,” he said. “ Say, I’m coming to see you on Sixth Avenue. Don’t mind, do you?” He did not wait for a reply. ‘““Brady’s my name. Ted Brady. Glencoe Athletic Club.” He paused. “Tm on the level,” he added, and paused again. “I like you a whole lot. There’s your friend Genevieve. Better go after her, hadn’t you? Good-by.” And he was gone, walking swiftly through the crowd about the band stand. Katie went back to Genevieve, and Genevieve was simply horrid. Cold and haughty, a beautiful iceberg of dudgeon, she refused to speak a single word during the whole long journey back to Sixth Avenue. And Katie, whose tender heart would at other times have been tortured by this hostility, leaned back in her seat in the surface-car and was happy. Her mind was far away from Genevieve’s frozen gloom, living over again the wonderful happenings of the afternoon. Yes, it had been a wonderful after- noon, but trouble was waiting for her in Sixth Avenue. Trouble was never absent for very long from Katie’s un- selfish life. Arriving at the little book-shop, she COMicdoo S CO@