Argosy All-Story Weekly, July 1, 1922 — page 110: what you’re looking at

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

900 ‘Let’s shake hands on that.” | “T shall!” she said with unnecessary warmth. And she did. The nervous closing of her fingers was like the touch of a man’s hand. “T told Mrs. Littleton that I couldn’t come,” said Dickon, “ because Cynthia Rainey and I had planned to give an old- fashioned picnic and take’a party up the river next week-end.” “But Cynthia hasn’t told me a word about it!” | “ That’s it; Cynthia hasn’t heard a word about it as yet. I’m depending on you to tell her.” ° Mrs. Rainey blinked, bewildered. He explained: “I didn’t say a single word directly to your daughter last night, Mrs. Rainey; there wasn’t a chance for us to talk about picnics or anything else. But since we’ve shaken hands I think you'll let me say that I’m extremely interested in her career.” “Yes?” said Mrs. Rainey. She was letting nothing escape her. Her bright, small eyes flicked here and there across his face, missing not a single detail of his expression. It was the difficult part of Dickon’s speech, but he determined to go bravely ahead with it. He must have a definite un- derstanding with Mrs. Rainey; he must really strike what-could be vulgarly termed a bargain. He had an idea that Mrs. Rainey would not be above it. ‘We both know,” he went on, “ that when one comes to New York it isn’t always easy to become friendly with just the sort of people one prefers to know.” Mrs. Rainey sighed as one who throws a great burden from her shoulders. ‘Listen to me, Dickon Greene,” she said. “1 think we do understand each other. Let’s stop beating about the bush and talk straight. Cynthia is trying to break in and you're trying to help her; you tried last night!” ‘I’m glad we don’t have to dodge cor- ners in our talk,”’ said Dickon. “Nary a one, Dickon Greene. [ll hit from the shoulder and you do the same.” ‘Well, then, to go back. I told Mrs. Littleton that I couldn’t go on her house ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. party and I told her also that the reason was a previous engagement to go picnicking with Cynthia Rainey up the river. Suppose Mrs. Littleton should check up on me. You could fix it so that Miss Rainey will un- derstand?” “ That’s easy. Go on!” She leaned forward in her chair dwelling hungrily on his words. ‘‘T named some other folks whom we in- tended to invite. I jotted those names down as soon as I left Mrs. Littleton—for fear I should forget them or get them twisted. Here are the names on this slip of paper.” “Tl have Cynthia get them by heart. You want us to ask these people on a picnic next week-end, then? It shall be done!”’ “No, no, no!” cried Dickon. “I don’t want one of them invited.” “I don’t follow your drift. But go on.” It was pleasant to Dickon to have her throw away reserve and use her natural vocabulary with him; it proved the distance he had. gone with her as nothing else could have proved it. ‘This is the idea. The names I men- tioned to Mrs. Littleton were all people I was sure she knew intimately. And when T finished with them it naturally occurred to her to make a compromise and ask some of us to her house party.” Mrs. William Rainey rose slowly from her chair and stood with one hand clasping the back of it. *“* Dickon Greene!” “To be so intimately received in Mrs. Littleton’s house,” said Dickon, “‘ is equiva- lent to having the door of New York opened to one, don’t you think? I don’t speak of myself. It means very little to a man— we're asked about everywhere to fill in gaps —anything in a dress suit would do just as well, usually. With a girl it’s different.” ‘’ Don’t I know it? Haven’t I seen them look at Cynthia as if she were a, spider? But does Mrs. Littleton—” “ T think she’ll include some of the names on that list. But there’s only one name I’m sure of.” “ ‘Which is?” “‘ Cynthia Rainey.” Mrs. Rainey, pale with emotion, could only stare at him. comicloool C©