The Argosy, April 1916 — page 36: what you’re looking at

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

26 Off came the*lady’s hat and wrap, and flinging them on a bookstand, she vanished. “Isn’t this—well, a fine kettle of fish,” grumbled Greenland. “If I’d insisted on the wedding this mornin’ we’d be half-way to Niagara Falls by now. Maybe there. I wouldn’t be dancin’ on one foot on a hot griddle like I am now. Damn a weddin’ anyway. I'll go to a justice of the peace, or get married by the process of jumping over a broomstick. ‘“‘A lot of guests came and had to be sent away. But like mosquitoes, that never die before they get their poison into you, these guests got off their fool remarks about post- poned weddings before I could shovel ’em out. Never heard’ such a lot of blamed rubbish in my life. “One knew that the firstborn of a post- poned wedding always died young. Another had heard of a man who built a house for his bride, the wedding was postponed, and the man lost his job and the house. All that. sort of thing. “We got rid of them at last, but think of the condition they left Nance in. Hang the presents. I can buy enough of that stuff.” Just then a professional looking man en- tered the room and spoke to Greenland. “Who is the combination of Venus and Aurora who takes the wheel out of the pilot’s hand?” he asked. ‘You mean Miss Wayne?” | “What! The one who was haled before the judge this morning and put under bond?” ; “The same, and here is her bondsman, Mr. Kenneth Yale.” “Young man,” said the doctor, as he shook hands with Kenneth, “I wouldn’t be that girl’s bondsman for a million dollars. I’m a married man.” “Tm not,” replied Yale, smiling. “Good thing—for the wife you might have had. But I shouldn’t wonder—no, I shouldn’t be surprised—if you became one. Let me warn you. [If you desire to remain single, don’t let that girl fall in love with you. If she wants you, she'll get you, so just watch out.” “You seem to know the young lady, doc- tor,” said Yale. “Know her? Never set eyes on her till a few minutes ago. Yet I’ve known her for ine thousand years. Greek history is full of er. : “Her lute sent Roman soldiers to war filled with patriotism and love of her. THE ARGOSY. Egypt would still be something of a nation if it hadn’t been for such as she. Persia rolled in the dust because men looked into eyes like hers and thought there were two suns. ‘She came in, and ordered me out of the room. Said she’d take care of ‘Nance.’ And I went without a murmur. Aurora went to Miss Raymond’s bed. Nancy was rolling from side to side in a sort of frenzy —half delirium—calling ‘Bev, oh, Bev!’ _ “So that’s Bev, is it? Well, she said, ‘Here I am, Nance dear,’ and Nance dear looked up into her eyes, took both her hands, and smiled away into a baby sleep. By Skulls and Crossbones! Is she a witch?” “Rather different from the usual pic- tures,” Yale remarked. “Aye, and from the usual woman. Oh! Here’s Hosman. How is Mrs. Raymond, doctor.” Dr. Hosman shook his head. “Pretty bad, but not incurable. If you can pull Raymond through I’ll answer for Mrs. Raymond. If Raymond dies we'll have a double funeral.” “IT don’t think Raymond will die. But I doubt if he ever is the same man again. I'll be here at eight in the morning.” “Pll meet you here. Together we may be able to save the family.” | “Well?” said Yale, turning to Greenland, when the physicians had gone, “‘what about me? Raymond doesn’t want to see me now, and nobody else expressed a wish to.” “TI suppose as Miss Wayne’s bondsman you'd prefer to stay.” ‘“‘Not because I am her bondsman. I have no distrust of Miss Wayne. I shall take rooms at the Butterfield. Tell her I will send a messenger with her suitcase and other things. If anything happens let me know. I may take a run up to-morrow, or may not. I’ve got to go to the surrogate’s office on business.” Yale left, and, having reached ‘the hotel again, proceeded to keep his promise. In the rush to catch Williams before he got away Yale had left Miss Wayne at the desk. At his call she had put the camera on the clerk’s desk and rushed to join him. Yale now obtained the camera, got the key to her room from the clerk, and brought from it her suitcase and umbrella. Fortu- nately she had left none of her clothing out of the suitcase except what shc wore. A messenger was then sent to Raymond’s house with the things. MICLOOOK C©