Argosy, Vol. 118, No. 4 — page 136: what you’re looking at

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

606 hardly that. Grief does that sort of thing, I suppose; but one couldn’t be expected to feel grief over losing a thing like—you!” 66 Bit’ | ‘“ Now, you look here, Gerry!’ Margery said quickly, sternly. ‘‘ We can’t have any nonsense from you, you know. There’s been too much trouble and excitement here for Arthur’s patient, as it is, and you n@stn’t—”’ ‘Her words died in the low, horrid laugh that came from Geraldine. Geraldine’s hands came up’ for an instant, too, fingers outstretched as if to claw at Mrs. Poole— and clutched one another instead as Ger- aldine said: ‘““He—he told me that one, and he couldn’t make it sound real!” she said, with some difficulty. . ‘‘ And you shake your fin- ger at me like that again, creature, and I— I will not be responsible. J saw George kissing you! ¥ was out there on the ver- anda and I saw that!” ‘“ Well, the reason for that—’’ Margery said briskly. “Be silent, you brazen—brazen—oh!”’ Geraldime gasped. ‘I promised Dr. Poole that I’d remain here for five minutes and listen to you. I’m going that now. If you’ve anything to say—”’ id neve. ‘George began, energetically. “Tf you—” ‘““ And don’t say anything so offensive to ordinary intelligence as the things Poole tried to tell me!” Geraldine burst out. “ Don’t try that, please! I used to be sim- ple and credulous, but I’ve stopped all that!’ She smiled hideously at George. ‘You forgot Hannah, didn’t your You arranged your little evening, you two, with never a suspicion that Hannah might be listening? Well, you antagonized Hannah at just. the right time, George; she had a fine little red in pickle for yeu, and she tele- phoned me just as soon as you’d left with your—your friend! Well? Well?” ‘Well, listen, and—” ‘Friend! Hah! Friend!’ cried Geral- dine, who seemed quite bent on listening, as she sliced the very flesh from Margery’s bones with her razor-edged glare. ‘‘ I’ve often wondered if that friendship was as platonic as—no, that’s a lie! I haven't! too! ’” burst from Geraldine. THE ARGOSY. I’ve always trusted you, George! Upon my. word, I believe that I trusted you up to the very second I saw you sitting there, with her head on your shoulder and your arm around her—kissing her!” ‘“} know. It looks bad, but—” George began desperately. ‘“And her husband sitting across the room beside /is friend, complacent and con- tented with it all!” exclaimed Mrs. Dare, recoiling from the soiled pair. ‘“ I—honest- ly, E couldn’t believe that, even when I saw it! I’ve read of that disgusting sort of thing in—in nasty novels, but I never be- heved that it existed!” . She’ wrung her hands; her eyes fairly rolled for a moment. Geraldine was really near distraction. But she controlled her- self, and turned her hot gaze upon George once more. a ‘“ Well?” she inquired. word to say for yourself?” ‘* A lot of them if you will—” “ And such a quaint little surprise party, “ Every one ‘“ Haven’t you a here for the night!” : “What?” ‘Oh, yes, I stumbled on that, too!” the lady assured them bitterly. “ M y driver didn’t understand, I fear. I came by train to Arborvale, you know, and took a hack over, and the driver, I fancy, didn’t quite catch the idea when your men came to take charge of his»car and run it into your ga- ~ rage, wherever that may be. From what I could hear on the veranda, he made quite a struggle, but they took hie. too!” Ger- aldine threw. back her head and laughed. ‘Oh, yes! I guessed that ’m much! Pm clever, don’t you think? A good deal clev- erer than you fancied.” “ This—is the night for twisting things so that they look their worst, anyhow,” George said hoarsely. explain?” ‘“T’ve been waiting some time for that!” ‘‘ Then, in the first place—” ‘Tn the first place, don’t lie about it!” Geraldine broke in. “TI’ll hear the truth! Do you understand that? The truth! Never mind the emergency story you doubtless have ready! stood on that veranda for fully fifteen mm- I want facts! .I “Will you let me — EO DOO SJ (C(O)