Argosy All-Story Weekly, July 1, 1922 — page 121: what you’re looking at

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

HIS THIRD stone, and now he saw a subtle change in her attitude, a loosening and flowing of lines. Did she think that he was going to propose to her on the spot? He wished, fiercely, that he could wring the neck of Mrs. Rainey. “Yes,” said the girl again. “ Will you tell me exactly what she told your” Her lips moved, but no sound came. ‘“‘T’ll make it easier for you, even if it’s a bit hard on me. I'll tell you what she said.” He paused, weighed the chances, looked clear into what he should say, and then plunged ahead. “Tn the first place I want you to under- stand that I’m not a sentimental sort of chap,” said Dickon. “ You'll keep that in mind, won’t you?” ‘“‘' Ves,” whispered the girl. Those two deadly monosyllables kept hammering at him, crushing him. Every time he heard one of them he almost forgot what he should say next. But he took a deep breath and went ahead: ‘“Tt’s important to keep that in mind so that you can understand. In a word, I’ve gone through a hard path in my life and I determined on a change. And that’s why I made up my mind firmly to do what your mother told you I intend to do ’—he paused and then brought out the words harshly— “marry money!” She did not answer, but her hands slipped together and were clasped tightly. She was bracing herself for the shock. “That’s sufficiently ~ frank — brutally frank, in fact. She told you that and she told you the truth. “But let’s go back a ways. I made up my mind with perfect definiteness that I should get a fortune in that way, and my mind is still fixed—as adamant.” He heard her breath taken sharply. “T fixed on a definite fortune—it was yours.” He had brought out the three blows one after the other. This last one only made her quiver; her head raised and then dropped again. ‘There had to be something given in re- turn, and I found what could be given and MASTER. 911 gave it. I think it’s clear that I lived up to my half of the bargain.” He saw that he had gone as far as was possible. In another moment she would be either hysterical or else up on her feet de- fying him. So he changed swiftly. “IT kept that firmly in mind; I’ve gone steadily ahead on that track; this house party is a goal that I’ve worked for with patience. And so it came to to-night and I saw you across the table from me; I was thinking of the thirty-million-dollar William Rainey estate—not of you!” She had turned her head in a sudden hope; but Dickon was prepared for that, and looking steadily at the ground he went on, lowering his voice to a monotone: “I was thinking of the money and then some- thing happened—I don’t know what—I think it was when you raised your wine glass, and it was like a great ruby against your throat.” He paused skillfully. There must be time for that picture to sink into her mind. ‘“* And you laughed,”’ mused Dickon. “ It was a lovely picture!” He turned suddenly upon her, but she did not shrink. It brought their heads closer and her eyes were great and bright and looked at him without wincing. ““T saw then,” he said quietly, “ that I couldn’t go ahead with the plan. I looked up and down the table and I saw a dozen fine fellows, clean faces, clean hearts under them, and every man of them worshiping you with his eyes; and all at once it made me sick to think that you were to pass from hand to hand like a bill of exchange, all because your mother has social ambitions. It made me sick, and I’m still sick with the thought of it. When I passed you in the hall you were laughing and when you saw me your laughter went out like a snuffed candle.” He made another of those significant pauses and in it he heard the swift, soft taking of her breath. ‘“‘ That’s why I had to ask you to come out here with me, because I had to tell you that the thing’s done—ended. You under- stand? God knows I’m hard, but this is the hardest thing I’ve ever done—telling you the truth about myself. I'll tell you why comicloool C©