Argosy All-Story Weekly, April 19, 1924 — page 61: what you’re looking at

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

A CROWN had spoken over the telephone in the morn- ing. Whatever was taking him away must have happened later. Probably he had rung me up in Curzon Street and found both Bunch and myself out. Unless, of course, he was only telling this to Betty Fane be- cause he had had enough of his meetings with her. But that was not so. ““Pve been called suddenly home,” he went on. “TI live in Florania. Deo you know where that is?” “On the map,” I answered. “I am sorry you have to go.” 3 ‘““T say, Betty, what a poor httle word! My heart is broken at leaving you.” “You ought not to say that,” I said re- proachfully. “Why not? It’s true.” I looked up at him. I had taken a sud- den resolve. ‘“‘I know that you are the King of Flor- ania,” I said. “ Who told you?” “Mrs. Groote, the proprietress of the club.” “Tt was very wrong of her,” he frowned. ‘“T will tell you why she told me. It seems some gentleman of the great world noticed my dancing. He’s the brother of of a lady, the Princess de Chanterelle—l think is the name.” “ That ass, Maurice Angell,” Peter mut- tered savagely. ‘‘ Well, what’s that got to do with it?” ‘‘Mrs. Groote said, this lady is giving a Charity Féte next Thursday and she wants to engage me to go and give exhibi- tion dances with Jaime de Vosca.” Peter clutched my hand. “Vou won’t do anything of the kind, Betty. Promise me you won't. It’s a hate- ful idea, you and that confounded South American! I won’t have you make an ex- hibition of yourself! I wish I could force you not to dance with any other man but me all the days of your life.” My eyes filled with happy tears. But did he mean it? To how many women had he said that? Oh, that everlasting torturing question! “No, I don’t want to do it,” I admitted. “T told Mrs. Groote I should be too nervous FOR SALE, | 531 in front of all those great ladies and gentle- men.” ‘‘T should hate you to do it, Betty. And I shan’t be there.” “Mrs. Groote wants me to, of course, because it would be such an advertisement.” “Damn her and her advertisements! Promise me you won't.” “No, I don’t think I will. But I can’¢ exactly promise. I’ve my living to earn.” ‘Oh, Betty, it’s such a shame!” he said m a het, pained way. And I can do noth- ing for you.” ‘“ Why should you do anything for me?” I asked, rather bitterly, I’m afraid. “Well, aren’t we friends, Betty?” Oh, how his voice hurt me! “You are going to marry a very rich lady, aren’t you?” JI asked. I supposed that was how Betty Fane would express herself. “Yes,” he said curtly. “So you’ve heard that, too. But, Betty, that has nothing to do with you and me. Kings must marry.” ‘Is she—very pretty?” I whispered. “Oh, I don’t know. She is considered so, I believe. Betty, you musn’t ask me these questions. You don’t understand.” ‘* Aren’t you in love with her—then?” Suddenly his voice grew fierce. “How can I be when I’m in love with you?” I gave a little cry. We had reached the Marble Arch. “You mustn’t come any farther,” I said. ‘“T’ll take a bus.” “No, Betty, let me come as far as Hyde Park corner. It’s the last time. I’m going away to-morrow night. And all to-morrow I shall have to be doing things, so there’ll be no dancing for me. ‘This is our good-by.” I couldn’t resist. We walked very, very slowly, like ordinary workaday lovers, arm in arm. We hardly spoke. Before we crossed the wide space by Hyde Park cor- ner, Peter drew me under some trees. He bent his head and kissed me, and I kissed him back. He let me go at once. It was as if we had said everything in that kiss. He spoke very low, holding both my hands. There was pent-up passion in his voice that thrilled me with a divine happi- ness that was half grief. oO CORNICE OOO KS 5(EC)