The Argosy, Vol. 90 No. 1 — page 156: what you’re looking at

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

150 tried to reproduce on canvas the wonderful coloring of her auburn hair and blue eyes, to say nothing of her peaches-and-cream complexion.” ‘“T suppose you have known her for a long while?” Nella asked. ‘About six months. I met her in the office where she is employed as a stenog- rapher. She has been working since her husband’s death—” ‘“Oh, she is a widow—” “A widow with three children. Of course that’s nothing against her,” he said. “I know lots of men who have married widows with—er—families, and have been very happy. I have never seen the children—they are being taken care of by a married sister out West—but I un- derstand they are little angels. “They must be, if they resemble their mother in looks and disposition. Except for her jealousy, Irene has the sweetest dis- position of any woman I have ever met.” For the rest of the trip he continued to talk about his fiancée. His companion no longer had cause to complain of his taci- turnity. She would have preferred to have him tell her more about himself and his life in the army, but found it impossible to di- vert him from the subject of the fair Irene. They arrived at Van Cortlandt Park long before he had exhausted that topic, and Nella parted from him without even learning his name or his company. It was not until she was half way home that the girl noticed the oblong slip of yel- low paper on the floor of the car. She picked it up and examined it curiously. It was the first time in her life that she had ever held a pawn-ticket in her hand and at first she was puzzled by what was printed and written on the paper. Gradually, however, the truth dawned on her. One Sol Baumgart, whose name and address were printed at the top of the ticket, had accommodated a Mr. John Smith. with the loan of seven dollars, and the article pledged was a gold locket. “Tt must have dropped from his pocket while he was showing me the picture,” Nella mused. ‘“‘ I suppose it’s no use try- ing to get it back to him to-night. Ill have to wait until to-morrow.” THE ARGOSY. The next day she broke the promise she had made to her aunt, and motored to the camp. A sentry barred her way as she alighted from the runabout and started to cross the picket lines on foot. ‘“‘‘You can’t pass here, miss,’’ the soldier informed her. ‘“ Saturdays and Sundays are the only days the public is admitted to the camp. But if you wish to see anybody I will try to get word to him for you.” “I want to see a soldier named John Smith,” Nella announced. ‘What company?” the sentry asked. “IT don’t know his company. I can’t even tell you what regiment he belongs to.” The soldier grinned. ‘Then I’m afraid you’re going to have qaite a little difficulty in locating him, miss. There are at least twenty John Smiths scattered about this camp.” “The one I am looking for is tall and dark, and very good-looking,” said Nella smiling. ‘“ Will that help you at all?” ‘Not very much, I’m afraid. Probably there are several tall and dark John Smiths. But Ill call the corporal of the guard, if you wish, and see if—” “One minute,” Nella cut in with a frown. ‘On second thought his name may not be John Smith at all. It never oc- curred to me until just now, but it is very likely that he didn’t give his real name when he—er—when he received that ticket. I have heard that people often use assumed names in such circumstances.” The sentry looked at her blankly. “Tf you’re not even sure of his name, miss, I guess you’re up against it. May I ask why you want to see him?” “T have found a—something belonging to him—an article which he_ probably values highly, and I wish to return it to him. If you would waive the rules and let me walk through the camp I think I could pick him out from the rest. I am positive I should recognize him instantly if I saw him again.” The soldier shook his head. “Youll have to wait until next Satur- day to do.that. You can’t pass through the lines to-day. But if you merely wish to return his lost property to him you might get quicker results by handing in oO Comicbooe S CO