The Argosy, Vol. 76, No. 3 — page 198: what you’re looking at

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

668 which had brought death to some and the uttermost limit of discomfort to most. She found that it had the merit of killing thought. One moved Ian- suidly, dizzily through the days. It was not easy to sleep at night, but it was also difficult to concentrate one’s mind on anything, even on Ted. She found relief in a tempera- ture which mounted day by day. Old. Mr. Bennett, for his part, reveled in it. He loved warmth. It was on the evening of Séptember 11 that Katie, having closed the little shop, sat in the dusk on the steps, as many thousands of her fellow towns- men and townswomen were doing, turning her face to the first breeze which New York had known for two months. The hot spell had broken abruptly that afternoon, and the city was drink- ing in the coolness as a flower drinks water. Clean and steady the breeze blew up from the bay. Not all the dust of Sixth Avenue could spoil it. The rumble of the Elevated trains smote the ear with less painful jarring. From round the corner, where the yellow cross of the Judson Hotel shone down on Washington Square, came the shouts of children and the strains, mellowed by distance, of the indefatigable barrel-organ which had played the same tunes in the same place since the spring. Katie closed her eyes and listened. It was very peaceful this evening, so peaceful that for an instant she forgot even to think of Ted. And it was just during this instant that she heard his voice. “ That you, Kid?” He was standing before her, his hands in his pockets, one foot on the pavement, the other in the road; and if he was agitated, his voice did not show it. 66 Ted! 39 ‘“That’s me. Can I see the old man for a minute, Katie? ” This time it did seem that she could detect a slight ring of excitement. THE ARGOSY. “It’s no use, Ted. Honest.” “No harm in going in and passing the time of day, is there? I’ve got something I want to say to him.” “What? ” “Tell you later, maybe. his room?” Is he in He stepped past her and went in.. As he went he caught her arm and pressed it, but he did not stop. She saw him go into the inner room, and heard through the door, as he closed it behind him, the murmur of voices. _ And almost immediately, it seemed to her, her name was called. It was her grandfather’s voice which called, high and excited. The door opened and Ted appeared. “Come here a minute, Katie, will you?” he said. ‘ You’re wanted.” The old man was leaning forward in his chair. He was in a state of ex- traordinary excitement. He quivered and jumped. Ted, standing by the wall as stolid as ever; but his eyes glittered. “ Katie,’ cried the old man, “ this is a most remarkable piece of news. This gentleman—a most remarkable piece of news. This gentleman has just been telling me—extraordinary. ‘He—”’ He broke off and looked at Ted as he had looked at Katie when he had tried to. write the letter to the parlia- ment of England. Ted’s eye, as it met Katie’s, was almost defiant. “T want to marry you,” he said. “Yes, yes,” broke in Mr. Bennett impatiently, “‘ but—”’ ~ “ And I’m a king.” “Yes, yes, that’s it—that’s it, Katie. This gentleman is a king.” Once more Ted’s eye met Katie’s, and this time there was an imploring look in it. “That’s right,’ he said slowly. “T’ve just been telling your grand- father. I’m the King of Coney Island.” “That’s it. Of Coney Island.” “So there’s no objection now to ug COMicdoo S CO@