The Argosy, April 1916 — page 129: what you’re looking at

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

FOOLS OF This look shook even Oscar Molle’s fine poise. Before he had recovered it she un- expectedly brought her hand over his down on the knob and was turning it. Oscar’s free hand went to her shoulder caressingly and so high upon it that she fancied it was really touching her throat. ‘“‘Ah, Susan!” he pleaded. ‘‘Hear me.” Suddenly she stepped back, and the next instant flung the full weight of her body against him. The flat of her hands caught him in the chest. He staggered away from her, striking the wall with his head and back and leaning against it with out- stretched arms for support. ‘You must be crazy,” Susan said most deliberately as she calmly opened the door, went out and pulled it shut behind her. Shaking with rage and shock, Oscar re- mained braced against the wall, staring be- fore him dully as he tried to realize just how much her action and whole attitude signified of contempt and hate for him. When at length he walked unsteadily to the chair at his desk he was thinking: ‘She could not have treated me worse if I were a black servant.” The word “servant” dinned in his ears. This was why she despised him so! His mind traveled back two years to the day when he had landed on the island from a fruit-steamer. He had grown up as a cabin-boy of the line and at odd moments had gathered a working knowledge of the wireless from the operators of the various ships. But he was outgrowing his job and saw no futvre for himself on shipboard. When the ship’s captain found an open- ing for him on Big Twin Island Oscar Molle jumped at the chance. Beginning as the personal attendant of Captain Neville he had gradually bettered his position. The instaliation of the wireless apparatus especially had increased his importance in the household; and when he had instructed the captain in the use of it, Oscar had been promoted to be Neville’s confidential clerk. Nevertheless the captain had always kept Molle aloof, as indeed he held them all at a distance, irrespective of their standing. Snai less honest, less considerate, had used him as a toy ‘and esteemed him as a servant. So he read her repulse, and the insult of it made his blood boil. Naturally she would speak to her father, he thought, looking toward the bay. A steamer would appear -there at the anchor- age, and Oscar would sail away—alone! SACRIFICE. 119 Yet she should pay somehow, he resolved. She should pay somehow! Captain Neville entered the office. Oscar rose as was his custom. The captain did not walk to his desk, but stood with his back to the door, scrutinizing his clerk’s face with no trace of feeling in the bushy- browed black eyes that were as sharp as knives. Oscar divined the reason. told her story. “Molle,” said Captain Neville, “I’m go- ing to ask you a question or two. Give me only straight, simple answers—yes or no.” The letters Oscar held rattled in his hand as he laid them back in the basket. He turned again to face the captain. “T am ready, sir,” he replied firmly. Yet Oscar’s eyes opened wider and his mouth twitched slightly—scarcely signs of readiness—when the captain asked: ‘Did you warn Mother Juliet or tell any one who would warn her of what we planned to do last night?” Oscar drew a deep breath and answered: “No, sir.’ Captain Neville did not wholly trust Molle’s prompt recovery of ease in manner. “And you know of no one who might have warned Mother Juliet, or who did warn her?” he pressed. Oscar started; glanced timidly at Cap- tain Neville; then turned half way, lean- ing heavily on his desk. No words could have been plainer to the captain, who studied Molle for a moment and smiled. Then he hinted: “I’m waiting, Oscar.” With his face averted the young man re plied: “If you please, captain, I can’t answer that question, sir.”’ “What!” cried Captain Neville. ‘You can’t answer? Do you expect me to listen to any such nonsense? Who warned Mother Juliet? I can see you know.” ‘“‘Please don’t force me, sir,” Oscar en- Susan had treated, looking steadily into the captain’s face. The captain laughed unpleasantly and re- marked: ‘Force you? Oh, not at all, lad. I merely ask you tell me what you know.” “But I can’t tell you that, please,. cap- tain.” “Then, Molle, you can be put in irons and keep company with Black Henry.” | Captain Neville grasped the bell-cord hang- ing beside the door. 1OOOLK C@