Argosy All-Story Weekly — page 36: what you’re looking at

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a 670 Broadway nights and permanent waves and contraband liquids. If she could save him from these temptations— “But you could pay ten,” she reminded him brightly. < Oh, yes.” “Then suppose I let you have it for that—”’ ‘But it’s a ridiculous price for this room,” he protested indignantly and beamed upon her suddenly, ‘“‘ I might take it, though on one condition—that you'll let me help you in any way I can. You see, my taking this room at that price and being here to advise you would result in your doing better on your other rooms. If I could feel that I was being some help te you—- some protection—” ‘“And you would—of course.” “Voila!” He sighed his relief, took her hand and shook it gently. ‘‘ I must say it has bothered me—ever since you first began to talk—the thought of your being here alone, exposed to all sorts of unpleasant- nesses. Of course, it is criminal to let this room go at that price.” “Qh, no.” “Tt is!” He was severe. ‘“‘ But I shall move in at once and we must make the others cough up. By the way,” he frowned thoughtfully, “‘is there any one else in the house?” “Only one other, a—” ‘There is then!”? She could see that he was none too pleased. ‘‘ What sort of chap is he?” “Very nice, indeed,” she assured him. “ He’s quite a studious young man. Philip Swift, his name is.” “Hum! Swift—don’t know the name. Well,” he shrugged his resignation, “ I'll make it my business to have a chat with him later. I suppose he had references?” rT Oh, yes.” “ Can’t be too careful,” he said. ‘‘ You’d better let me size up the next one. We must make the house a paying proposition. Oh, by Jove!” He delved into his pocket. “ I'll leave this with you—unfortunately I haven’t the whole amount with me but you’d better keep this as a deposit—it’s good business and I can see you need a little jacking up on that score.” ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. He took the edge off the accusation by smiling benignly down upon her and went off leaving a neat little five dollar bill in her hand. An hour later he was ‘back in a taxi, with a steamer trunk beside the driver and any number of shining leather bags sprawled across with his full name—Carl Howe. And now, indeed, Amalie felt the un- equivocal mistress of a houseful. True, financially, she had not launched her career with any too much brilliance, but she had laid the foundation for a household of ex- ceptional merit. It was on the evening of her second lodger’s arrival that Philip Swift knocked timidly at her sitting room door. “May I come in a moment?” “Do! I have something to tell you.” He refused the chair she indicated. “Tm on my way to a lecture,” he said, “on ‘ Realism versus Romance.’ I wanted to thank you for the bulb.” 5 ‘“ But, of course, you must have a good light.” He shifted his brief case in grateful con- fusion, ‘“‘ {—I certainly appreciate it. are things going?” “That was what I wanted to tell you about—my new lodger.” ‘Then you have rented another room!” “ He came in to-day—a perfectly charm- ing young man. I’m sure he will fit per- fectly into our scheme.” ‘* But—but are you sure he is all right?” The eyes behind the horn-rimmed glasses were anxious. “ He may be charming and all that—” ‘Oh, but he’s quite a gentleman. Ex- ceptional.” ‘“ Nevertheless, I wish you had consulted me. You can’t tell—” ‘““ Not generally,” she admitted; ‘‘ but in Mr. Howe’s case! I’m sure you will like him. I do so want you to be good friends.” She was in quite a little rapture at the pros- pect. “ He’s not so—so earnest-minded as you, perhaps. But he is charming—very.” Her eulogy did not dissipate his doubt. ‘““T suppose he had proper references?” ‘Oh, excellent! He holds quite a re- sponsible position—secretary to se himself!” And how O 5} CODMicooolkSse@