Argosy All-Story Weekly — page 32: what you’re looking at

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

666 .““ Uh-huh,” he said. ‘Are you all alone in New York?” ‘“Er—what? Oh, yes.” “I thought so!” She was triumphant. ‘Came here to study art and become fam- ous, I suppose?” ‘‘I’d have to throw most of this stuff out,” he observed thoughtfully. ‘“ All those little doo-dads and watchacallems.” “You mean the what-not!” “Uh-huh,” he was still considering the possibilities of the room. ‘“ How could I - get an easel in here with all that stuff cluttering up the place? And those curtains would have to come down. Keep out the light. Too frilly anyhow.” He turned to her and spoke briskly for the first time. “Ts there a bath on this floor? I’ve got to have a bath near for my girls.” Amalie stepped back against the wall, her hands fluttering to her cheeks. “‘ A—a bath for your—” ‘ They’ve got to have some place to dress and undress.” ‘““ Un—undress!”’ ‘J do negligees and underwear, too,” he explained and patted back a yawn. “‘ Loose- knit underwear, you know it—‘ will not irritate the most sensitive skin, warm as toast and soft as talcum.’ Maybe you’ve seen my stuff or maybe you know Loose- knit.” He stared at her refiectively. Her face was crimson. She was trembling with in- dignation which she knew to be quite un- justified since his gaze was as impersonal as the one he presently fastened on his cigar- ette. She fought down her own outraged scruples. Here was an opportunity for some missionary work. “And you—you have to have models?” He nodded. “ Pretty ones—nice figures,” he laughed shortly and took her into his confidence. ‘“The poor boobs who see the ads get the idea that all they need is Looseknit in order to look as beautiful as the picture. Now if there’s a bath on this floor—” ‘‘ There is,” she said, “ but—but do you kave to do that sort of thing? I mean, couldn’t you illustrate tooth paste or—or things like that? Models!” She almost choked over the word, caught his expression ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY, of amazement and hurried on. “I’ve seen the pictures—pretty teeth and something about savages having perfect teeth because they used somebody’s tooth paste. I can’t help thinking, you see—you’re so young— and gifted, too, I’m certain—and these models— I’ve read about such things. And I can’t help taking an interest in the young men who come into my house. I’d love to have you come, but those girls you speak of —those—models—” She let it stand there a shivering outrage of a word, for him to inspect in all its wanton nakedness. But he was looking at her dazedly, seeing her, perhaps, for the first time, with her wide, horrified eyes and her pretty mouth pursed in disapproval. “JT really couldn’t,” she said firmly, “have them coming here—to my house— desecrating it! I want to do all.I can— for New York. But that—no, I really couldn’t.” And now he spoke, awesomely. “Good Lord!” he breathed. cats!” Then he turned and made swiftly for the stairs. She hurried after him, erences him in the hall. “You're not offended that I eae SO frankly, are you? You see, I only want to help. I’ve heard about it—about young artists having to prostitute their art—for money. it’s very sad. But perhaps if I made the rent less than ten dollars, you could concentrate on—on higher things.” She smiled .at him, but she was very firm. “I really couldn’t have that sort of thing going on here—models dressing and un— well, dressing in my bathrooms. But I might make the room eight dollars—or even seven. Mrs. Proctor said I should get fifteen.” The amazement on his gaunt face had given place to alarm. He was twirling his hat nervously. At mention of the price, he shook his head. “Oh, no—thanks, room, I mean.” “ But the saving—” ““ No—no,” he was almost frantic as he edged gradually toward the door, “‘ but it’s very nice of you to suggest it—very nice.” He had his hand on the knob. “ But I Comicoooks “ Holy it wouldn’t do—the (©)