Argosy All-Story Weekly, April 16, 1921 — page 128: what you’re looking at

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

ONE IN FOUR MILLION. even dared to visit his former employer, Clute, and attempted to persuade him that he needed professional advice. “ Where’d you get the requisite knowl- edge?” Clute demanded. “My partner, Sand,” said Moore as if speaking of a man, “has studied the sub- ject extensively and is very capable of hand- ling accounts that require the utmost care and secrecy.” ‘“‘ Something wrong somewhere,” com- mented Clute, ending the interview. Moore was not disappointed. ‘I didn’t expect to land him anyway,” he told him- self as he returned to the office and found . Nonita conversing with a roughly dressed foreigner, who ‘talked only in broken En- glish. A moment later the stranger de- parted, and Nonita proudly displayed a five-dollar bill which she explained was the first money the company had earned. “ He saw our ad in the paper and I made out his return and charged him ten per cent. What luck with you?” c¢ None.”’ “‘'Who’d you see?” And Moore enumerated the scores of places he had visited, not forgetting to men- tion Clute. : “ Scattered all over town,” mused Nonita. “No system, Sebast. To-morrow you cover every office in this building; there’s just as many prospects here as anywhere. Bixby, for instance; if we could get a ten- per-cent fee from him we’d have to pay a tax ourselves. Talk your head off to him and Ill ’tend to the unsolicited trade. Very shortly we'll have a regular business.” “Gee, you’re optimistic, Nonita,” said Moore. I don’t know how I’d get along without you and if—if—” “This is no time for sentimental thoughts,” interrupted Nonita, guessing what was on his mind. “I’ve got to pour over these corporation ‘taxes, franchise taxes, and individual income taxes so that Ill be prepared for a real client if you ever stir one up. A big business with big _ people; that’s what we’ve got to do.” “ That’s right, Nonita,” said Moore ab- sently. ‘“ You’re boss.’ ““T’ve assumed those duties already, so don’t forget seeing Bixby to-morrow.” 119 When Moore returned at the end of the next day Nonita’s first question was: “ Did you see him?” “That’s all I did do,” replied Moore. “So you came away, I suppose?” “What else could I do?” Moore queried. Nonita didn’t answer; instead she asked another question. “ Was there any one there beside Bixby?” “He seemed to be having some trouble with a girl.” At this Nonita smiled. “I thought so. I guess I’ll have to go around and see him myself. He may want to hire me back.” “You don’t mean it?” exclaimed Moore. “‘ Of course I do,” she insisted. “Well, I’m glad of that. I’m glad you’ve got sense enough to get out of this thing before it goes on the rocks. I’m grateful to you for what you’ve done and I’m sorry I can’t repay you what you’ve put into it in time and money. If I thought for a minute that I could support a wife—” “Cut that out! You misunderstand me, Sebast. I’m going to see Bixby to obtain his patronage. The day I quit I could have had anything I wanted, and now he’s going to beg me to come back. Wait and see.” “ More power to you,” said Moore. “I wish you luck.” Nonita donned her hat and coat for the sake of appearance before entering Bixby’s office. He didn’t seem surprised. ‘“ Aha,” back for your old job?” he inquired most jovially. “No, sir,” she replied emphatically. “ I’ve come to prepare your income tax.” ““ So—so you're in with that young whip- persnapper that came to see me.” “And you wouldn’t listen to the sound business proposition he had to tell you,” Nonita chided. ‘“* And I won’t listen to any tax talk from you, either,” Mr. Bixby asserted stoutly, ‘*’You can have your job back and anything else you want if I can only get rid of that gum-chewing, putty-faced model of: incom- petence I’ve got now.” “Nothing doing, absolutely!” said Nonita, remembering that at one time Bixby could not tolerate her slang. “ Now you listen to this money-saving proposition.” Bixby was helpless. He could growl and COL, cS (C@ S| 0)(0)6)