Argosy All-Story Weekly, January 21, 1922 — page 107: what you’re looking at

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

DOUBLES AND QUITS. ably owe her charwoman a pound, but that — was no reason for hysterics. “Th-that hat!” shrieked Old Sponger, exploding raucously. “ You bet me a pound to ’arf a crown you’d never wear it again because Miss Allison had been and had it copied. And I said—” “ How could I forget!”? Amy exclaimed, dimpling in spite of her nervous anxiety. Instinct told her what Loraine Drew would do in this matter. She dived down into Loraine’s bag and brought forth a pound note. “Here you are, Sponger,”’ Amy said. There ensued a slight argument, but in the end Mrs. Sponch allowed the debt of honor to be paid. “‘T don’t know when I’ve felt so heart- ened about you,” the woman said, as she speeded Amy off. ‘‘ There’ll be something extra on the tray to-night, and if you eat it I'll burn a candle at St. Mary’s to our Blessed Lady in thanks. God knows, deary, I’ve been that worried about you lately, I’ve taken the liberty of praying over it.” “ Have you?” Amy asked. Her thoughts flew to the other girl, What had been in that missing chapter? Something vital, un- doubtedly. “ Youre not angry, miss?” Mrs. Sponch asked anxiously over the banister rail. “No, old thing. Pehaps your prayers will be answered. One could only be grate- ful for them.” Old Sponger went back into the studio and picked up the breakfast tray with a meditative air. ‘“ Changed—what you’d call a miracle. I always knew she’d be all right if that black-hearted devil with his cocain kept away from her long enough. If only she could get somewhere that he couldn’t find her. I’ll swear he hasn’t been here these last three days. Perhaps the police have got him. I hope so.” If Amy only knew, Old Sponger could have supplied the contents of that missing chapter. It may be imagined, however, that Amy’s mind was very much taken up with herself at this moment. Tremendous difficulties faced her, On her way to the rehearsal at 97 the Augustin Theater she concentrated upon gathering every ounce of courage at her command. CHAPTER XIX. TREMLETT CALLS, HERE was an expression of cruel tri- umph in the eyes of Peter Tremlett as he got out of a taxicab at Mrs. Kidder’s that morning. He had been in no hurry at all, for he did not know he was expected. First he had gone to a hotel, where he refreshed himself, breakfasted hugely, and left his bag. He hugged to himself the pleasant assurance that Amy could not escape him. . Poor Elspeth had allowed herself to be completely beguiled by Mrs. Dundas, and shown her Amy’s last letter, which had been rather doleful. The child was discouraged, and had found no work. And then Aunt Anna, instead of doing what she had prom- ised and sending Amy money, together with an invitation to return to the home of her childhood, had betrayed her to Peter Trem- lett. It may be that Mrs. Dundas conceived this plan to be for Amy’s ultimate good. It may be that at heart she hated the girl of whom her dead husband had been so fond, and who was really no blood kin of her own. Of that, more later. Old E)- speth’s part in this tale is by no means played out, and it was through Elspeth that Amy was one day to discover a dark secret Aunt Anna had borne the burden of for years. But this is anticipating, and has nothing directly to do with Peter Tremlett and his passion for the girl whose life he had laid waste. It was about ten o’clock when he rang the bell at Mrs, Kidder’s, and Rose, the maid of all work, opened the door to him. In answer to his question she said yes, Mrs. Marshall was living here, but was not yet up. ‘““As a rule,” volunteered Rose, “ she’s out of the house by this time, but I couldn’t hardly make her hear when I knocked an hour ago, and the tea-tray and hot water’s still waiting at her door.” comicloool C©