Argosy All-Story Weekly, April 16, 1921 — page 61: what you’re looking at

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

52 “Why, Fred!” she exclaimed in surprise, with a quick glance into his face. It was grave and determined, and yet there was a wistful something about his clear, keen eyes that made her turn her head away. “Ves,” he repeated. “ You didn’t for one minute suppose I’d be a policeman all my life, did your” ‘Oh, but you’re such a dear in your blue and brass,” she wailed. “ Then it’s the lure of the uniform,” he said wryly. ‘‘I had hoped—oh, yes—I had hoped and prayed, Ruth, that it might be me you liked—not this fool truck,” and he looked bitterly off into the distance. Then Ruth asked soberly: ‘‘ What are you going to do, Fred?” “I’m leaving here next week,” he an- nounced. “ Good Heavens!” she ejaculated weak- ly. “ For where?” “The Philippines,” he answered, watch- ing her face. Then he reached over and took her hand while the horses walked slowly on down the lane. “You see, Ruth, I gave up a Gapiainey in the army after I came back from France, and until I knew what I really wanted to do I took this job. It was only a make- shift—I got it through a pull—and I would have got off long before if you hadn’t come on the scene. Thank God you did!” he breathed fervently, crushing her fingers tight in his. v v ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY, Ruth looked straight ahead, while Law- ton, with his eyes fixed on each seductive curve of her cheek, continued his plea in a soft whisper. “Now I’ve just had it offered to me again—this captain’s commission in the army—and I’ve accepted. I hate to go out alone—all the way to the Philippines. Won’t you be game and go as my running mate?” | He slid his left arm around her shoul- ders and turned her head back against his chest while he looked with pleading, beg- ging eyes into hers. “Do you look as handsome in khaki as you do in blue? ‘That’s what I want to know,” she asked, provokingly alluring. “Oh, you teasing baby!” the cried in de- lirious joy. “ Far more so!”’ He lifted her from her saddle and seated her before him, while the horses, unnoticed, continued their grazing by the side of the grassy road. Utterly oblivious of passing time, to- gether they planned and built for the fu- ture. the same rosy dreams and schemes of the ages. Suddenly Ruth laughed. “‘ Either way I get a uniform.” Lawton smiled down into the face so close to his. “T really believe you’re so daffy over that outfit you’d marry a bell-boy!”’ “I surely would if you had- on his but- tons!” she admitted, rubbing her cheek softly on the blue encircling arm. v Ls HEARTSEASE CHANCED a little maid to meet (How like a lissom flower was she!) Who, with a modest mien and sweet, A bunch of heartsease gave to me.. Since looking in her pansy eyes, So witching was their subtle thrall, Like one who walks in grievous wise, No heart’s ease have I had at all! Sennett Stephens, cComiclool C@