Argosy, Vol. 85, No. 3 — page 79: what you’re looking at

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

‘A SOLDIER’S HONOR. and anyhow, it’s all ancient history now. By the way, what are you doing these days, Queenie?” ‘““Me?” Her tone of careless ease was only too obviously a pretense. ‘“ Oh, I’m resting a week or two. The pictures is after me hard, but I can’t just see it. They say them studio lights is something fierce on the eyes. Then there’s a ‘ girl show’ that I been offered a swell part in, and—’”’ But Wilburt was in no humor to listen to a long list of mythical prospective en- gagements. - ‘Say, look here, kid,” he cut in; “I got a part that I believe you can play. It ain’t strictly professional ”’ — he glanced - at her narrowly across the platter of ham and eggs which had just been set before him—“ but there’s a bunch of coin to be made, if it’s handled right.” The significance of that look and of his tone was not lost upon her. She hesitated a moment; then she twitched her shoul- ders with a reckless movement and gave an unsteady laugh. | ‘A bunch of coin? That’s what we’re all after, ain’t it? Go ahead and shoot, Mr. Man. What’s your lay-out?” For answer Tommy extracted a news- paper clipping from his pocket-book and handed it across to her. It was the story of a West Point cadet who had been ex- pelled from the academy for marrying. ‘“ That’s what gave me the suggestion,” explained Mr. Wilburt after he had read the story. But Queenie only looked puzzled. “I don’t get your idea at all.” She shook her head. ‘‘ Where is there any money in getting the rollers put under a cadet? Are you wise to another stunt of the kind, and want me to tip it off? Is that it?” “No, no.” Wilburt shrugged impa- tiently. ‘On the contrary, I want to pull off a wedding, which shall be a dead secret. And you, Queenie, I have cast to be the bride.” -She stared at him a moment; then, with the suspicion that he was merely hoaxing her, an angry red overswept the rouge 421 upon her cheeks, and her eyes took on a vicious glitter. “Trying to kid me, are you?” Her voice trembled. ‘‘ Why, you miserable ‘rat,” and she reached for her cup of cof- fee; ‘if I wasn’t too much of a lady I’d dash this in your ugly, grinning mug, you—”’ “Hold on!” Tommy protested hastily. ‘Tm not joshing you. This is on the level, Sinclair. I really do want you to hook up with one of these guys in a se- cret marriage. I tellsyou, there’s money in the proposition.” ‘“ Money?” she scoffed. ‘“ Why, them cadets only have fifty cents a week spend- ing money. I know, ’cause I boarded in a family once what had a boy at West Point. And marry one of them? No, thank you; I ain’t looking for no children to raise just at present. Besides—” She stopped abruptly as if checking herself in something she had been about tu say. ‘‘ Besides,” she went on, a trifle lamely, ‘““what’s that old saying about catching your rabbit before you cook him? Where am I going to get my cadet?” He picked up the morning paper which lay beside his plate, and folding it over so as to disclose the head-lines dealing with the Army-Navy football game scheduled for that day, passed it across to her. “Where will you get a cadet?” he re- peated. “ Why, the town will be full of them to-night, and as the chances are about six to one that the Army is going to win, they’ll all probably be in high, good humor. If you do as I tell you, old girl, you can land any of ’em. But there’s one in particular that I’m out after.” He considered a moment; then taking back his paper, made a check-mark with his pencil opposite one of the names in the line-up of the Army team. “Kerr Mosely?” she questioned, as she read the name he had indicated. Wilburt nodded. ‘What you got against him?” ‘““ Nothing,” Tommy laughed; “ except that he’s the only son of old George K. comicloool C©