Argosy All-Story Weekly, January 21, 1922 — page 134: what you’re looking at

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

124 anxious and worried about her. But, truly, I believe we'll find her yet. Everything points to the theory that she is alive.” “‘Qh, theories don’t help any.” ‘Oh, yes, they do, dear. Now, try to get up a little more hope. Take it from me, you'll see Betty again! She7l come dancing in, just as she used to do. Say, Mrs. Varian, why did she and her father squabble so?”’ “T can’t explain it. I’ve thought over it often, but it seems to me there was no reason for it. He admired Betty, he was proud of her beauty and grace and accom- plishments, but there was something in the child that he didn’t like. I hate to say this, but he seemed to have a natural dislike toward her that he honestly tried to over- come, but he utterly failed in the attempt.” ‘“‘ How very strange!” “It surely is. I’ve never mentioned it to any one before, but you are so sympa- thetic I want to ask you what you think could have been the reason for anything like that?” “ Did Betty feel that way toward him?” “Oh, no! I mean, not naturally so, But when he would fly at her and scold her for some little, simple thing, of course she flared up and talked back at him. It was only petty bickering, but it was so frequent.” “'Wasn’t Mr. Varian pleased when he learned that you expected another child?” “Yes, he was delighted. He feared it might not live, as the others hadn’t, but he was pleased beyond words at the pros- pect, and we both hoped for a healthy baby. He was so careful of me, so devoted and loving, and so joyful in the anticipation of the new baby.” ‘“‘ He was with you in Vermont?” “Oh, yes; we had a cottage, and he stayed there while I was in the hospttal during my confinement. The house was near by, and he could come to see me at any time.” “Well, I can’t understand his turning against her later. Do they look alike?” ‘“ No—that is, they have similar coloring, but no real resemblance.”’ - “ Betty doesn’t look like you, either?” ‘‘ Not specially. Though I can’t see re- semblances as some people do. She was—” ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. “Is, Mrs. Varian!” “Well, then, Betty is a dear, pretty, sweet-faced girl, healthy and happy, but not remarkable in any way.” “Did she inherit your disposition or her father’s?” “ Neither particularly. But I don’t think a young girl often shows definite or strong traits of character.” “Some do,” Zizi said thoughtfully. ‘How about talents? I want to find out, you see, more of what Betty is like.” ‘She has a little musical talent, a taste for drawing, and a fondness for outdoor sports, but none of these is marked. I can’t describe the child otherwise than as a natu- ral, normal, every-day girl. I adore her, of course, but I am not blind to the fact that she is not a genius in any way.” “‘ Nor do you want her to be! As you’ve told me of her, she seems to me a darling, and I mean to find her for you, and for Mr. Granniss.” “Yes, Rodney loves her, and he is as desolate as I am at her Ioss. Oh, Zizi, have you really any hope, or are you just saying this to comfort me?” | “T really have hope, and more; I have conviction that we will yet have Betty back here. But it is not yet a certainty, and I only can offer you my own opinions. Still, dear, it’s better to hope than to de- spair, and any day may bring us good news.” Zizi recounted this whole conversation to Pennington Wise, not so much because she deemed it important, but because he wanted every word she could get reported to him. The man was frankly bewildered. “It’s too ridiculous,” he exclaimed to Zizi, “ that I, Pennington Wise, should have a great, a unique mystery, as this one is— and not be able to make one step of progress toward its solution!” “*¢ Step,’ ”’ Zizi said, “‘ makes me think of that blackmailing person, Stephen, or what- ever his name is. Let’s work from that end.” . “T’ve tried and there’s no place to start from. You see, the letters signed ‘Step’ are as untraceable as the kidnapers’ letters. They’re typed, not on the same machine, but on same equally obscure and unavail- comiclboooks C©