Argosy All-Story Weekly, October 7, 1922 — page 96: what you’re looking at

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

242 be easy on Guyon, either. ‘ Oh, no doubt he meant well,” she said coldly. ‘“ But I hate a self-righteous young man. He goes there to gamble himself. What right had he to blame me for it!” The colonel remained discreetly silent. Meanwhile the story was becoming more and more dramatic. At last he cried out: “ Sutliffe knocked him out! Gad! You’re sure Guyon wasn’t injured?” “I made Sutliffe stay with him until he came to his senses.”’ The colonel thought things over for a few moments. “Oh, well, I suppose a licking won’t do him any real harm,” he said. “ He’s young —and it will force him to keep out of this affair hereafter. That’s a gain.” “T shall never see him again!” said Diantha energetically. “What became of Sutliffe after?” asked the colonel. ‘“‘ He had to go home to dress. I suppose he’ll be back directly. But I shan’t see him. He would be too difficult to handle after so exciting a scene. He’s crazy about me in his way. But it doesn’t go very deep yet. He’s got to suffer a bit in order to become more tractable.” The colonel stared a little. You're learning fast!” he said. “Oh, those are things no woman has to be taught!’’ said Diantha. “My God! Meanwhile young Randal Guyon, sitting on the park bench, faced despair. He pic- tured Diantha and Sutliffe driving away to- gether. In the ears of his mind he heard their laughter. But he faced it. And if a man will face despair it may be faced out. A sort of dialogue went on inside him. “ You’re licked! You're licked! You’re licked! Get that into your consciousness! Wouldn’t it be better to go back and throw myself into the lake down there? But you stood up to him. Are you going to quit now? I can’t live with this feeling of shame, this hopelessness! Then wipe it out! How can I? I did my best. He’s stronger than I. You could do it if you had the will to do it. ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. “By God! I will do it! I was a fool from the beginning to think I could talk to Sutliffe. The only thing that would impress him is a licking. And, so help me God, I’m going to give it to him! Every bit of nerve, of strength, of will power that I have shall go to it. Ill think of noth- ing else until it’s done. I’ll wipe out this feeling of shame—and in her presence! I swear it!” He buttoned his overcoat up to his chin, and pulled his hat down over his eyes. He walked to the park entrance and hailed a taxi. It wasn’t the chauffeur’s business to question such an apparition. ~Guyon had himself taken to Oddie’s place, thanking God that he possessed such a place of refuge. At sight of his friend’s bruised and bloody countenance, Oddie blinked behind his glasses and comically pursed up his lips. ‘““ For God’s sake don’t ask me any ques- tions!” implored Guyon. Oddie laid a hand on his shoulder. ‘“ Son, do I ever ask questions?” “No,” replied Guyon, and then, incon- sistently, he added, “I'll tell you all about ut.” “Don’t want to hear it,” said Oddie. “Come in and take a bath. I'll order in a bang-up breakfast—or supper, or whatever it may be for you. Then bed for yours. You'll have to lie low for a few days. Do you good. Maybe I can find one of those fellows who paint out shiners. Never need- ed one myself. I'll leave you out plenty novels to read.” ‘“‘ Never mind the novels,” said Guyon. ‘‘ Make it something stiffer.” ‘“‘ Good man!” said Oddie. about breakfast.” | Guyon sat in Oddie’s wing chair thinking, thinking. “It’s not only Sutliffe I have to handle, but Colonel Flowerday, too. He’s more dangerous than the other. Has her at a terrible disadvantage there in his house. Pulling the loving father business. Well, Ill show him up. She can’t hate and de- spise me any more than she does already. By God! TI’ll spoil the colonel’s game, whatever it costs me!” “Tl go see TO BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK. DOOK C©