Argosy All-Story Weekly, October 7, 1922 — page 91: what you’re looking at

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

A NEW GIRL IN TOWN. “ The safest thing is never to expect too much,” he said with an air of disposing of the subject. “But who wants to be safe?” cried Diantha. “Turtles and crabs are safe enough, I suppose!”’ Not until they were approaching the Iberia did her real thoughts peep out. “What happened between you and—and that man?” she asked breathlessly. “He insulted you,” answered Sutliffe readily. ‘I struck him before I thought.” “Oh!” breathed Diantha, amazed. “¢ And did he take it so quietly?” “No,” said Sutliffe; “we are to meet later, and I’ll finish the job.” “Oh! You're not going to—” “Not with pistols or swords,” laughed Sutliffe. “My fists will be sufficient to teach him to respect you.” ‘“‘ Where?” she whispered. ‘“‘ Tn the park, as soon as it’s light. Across the bridge over the swan lake.” Diantha had no reason to disbelieve his version. Her own opinion of herself was in the dust, and it was sweet to her to think that little as she deserved it, there was still a man willing to fight in defense of her good name. As the cab stopped she put her hand on his, and softly pressed his fingers. 2 Fire coursed through the man’s veins. He tried to seize her, but the chauffeur was already opening the door. They had to get out. Diantha skipped up the steps and rang the bell. Sutliffe paid the chauffeur and joined her. She divined that he meant to follow her in. “No, no, no!” she said. “ Diantha! The colonel won’t be home until morning,” he urged a little thickly. She resolutely shook her head. She saw that he had no intention of obeying her, and when the servant opened the door she said loud enough for the man to hear: “‘ Good night! ing.” Sutliffe was obliged to fall back. The door was closed. He turned down the steps, cursing the cowardice of women. It was to that that he ascribed her refusal. As soon as Diantha found herself alone Call me up in the morn- 237 a swarm of ugly thoughts attacked her like devils. Scarcely knowing what she was do- ing she let her things lie where they fell. She flung herself on the bed, and jumped up again to walk unevenly. There was no escaping the torment. . “What could have got into me? It’s a sort of madness! It’s worse than drink- ing! Oh, and I thought I was decent! I thought I was strong. I was the same as that old woman with the shaking hands. I was the same as that wicked girl who was driving her boy husband mad— “ And to have him see me like that! That wicked-minded man! What a chance it gave him against me! Oh, if I could only sponge it out! If I only could— “* Now they’re going to fight. I did noth- ing to prevent it. I was glad. I encour- aged Sutliffe. Have I taken leave of all decency, all shame? How can I get through till morning, not knowing what is happen- ing? Sutliffe may kill him in his anger! ‘“‘Good Heavens! I must owe Sutliffe hundreds of dollars—hundreds of dollars! What a disgrace!” CHAPTER XIII. THE FOGGY DAWN. T six o’clock in the morning the chief croupier at the roulette table an- nounced to those sitting around it: “The bank is closed, gentlemen!” He yawned in almost human fashion, and commenced to draw the chips into a green baize bag. The half score players left at the table, all men, deprived of their sustain- ing excitement, seemed to telescope slightly inside their clothes. They looked around them, blinking like men awakening from sleep, unrefreshed. Some attempted to cover their horrible emptiness with a swag- ger, some turned to pass feeble amenities with their neighbors, some were surly The most ghastly thing about gambling is being obliged to stop some time. Randal Guyon got up, and going to one of the rear windows, peeped behind the cur- tains. Out of doors it was still as dark as midnight. He shivered. How to pass the remaining half hour or so without thinking! comicboooks C©