Argosy All-Story Weekly, November 12, 1927 — page 110: what you’re looking at

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

584 ‘““T haven’t anything to do with it.” “Everybody thinks you have. Every other thing he says is ‘ I’ll have to consult Mr. Galloway.’ At first, he wasn’t going to say a peep to that gang until he had you with him. They finally wore him down. I think he’ll do whatever you tell him to. He’s sold solid on the idea that you’re safe- guarding his interests. You ought to play it for all it’s worth, boss.” A firm rapping came on the door. The reporter opened it. George Washington, in riding clothes, strode in. His face was flushed. His eyes were sapphire-blue. He was not smiling. He bowed gravely to the man in pink pyjamas and said: “ Good afternoon, Mr. Galloway. I trust you are refreshed.” CHAPTER XXVI. THE INTERESTS OF MR. WASHINGTON. ARRY removed the breakfast tray from his knees to the foot of the bed, pushed newspapers out of his way and stood. He was rosy with embarrassment. Colonel Washington, occupying a chair, said heartily: “I hope I did not disturb you. It was important for me to have a talk with you, Mr. Galloway.” Larry made confused murmurs. “You must have been exhausted,” the poised young man in riding clothes said kindly. ‘I have been talking to men from newspapers—reporters, they call themselves —since breakfast time. I am beginning to understand a great many things. May I ask—is our conversation being listened to by millions?” Larry assured him that it was not. Washington went on gravely: “ Miss Morgan and I had a splendid ride. Of all the novelties I have -been introduced to, I am sure that the young lady of to-day will puzzle me the longest. Miss Morgan’s aunt is amazing—and delightful, too.” One of his rare smiles illuminated Wash- ington’s firm, long mouth. “ T wonder if I may sample these curious white tubes that you call cigarettes? Everybody seems to smoke them. I have declined them all day long. I have been ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. curious to try one, but I wanted to make the experiment in private.” Larry unsealed and gave him a fresh package of Golden Glows. Washington’s expression became clouded. “I am constantly disconcerted by these reporters. They are like a pack of eager hounds. They bark questions faster than I-can answer them. When I manifest sur- prise at something new, they laugh. I saw one of them make fire for a pipe with small splinters which he struck against a black substance on the box. They laughed when I attempted to make fire with the splinters by striking them elsewhere than on the side of the box. ““T wish now that I had refused to talk to them until you had wakened. Their ques- tions puzzled me. Their persistence in re- ferring to the prohibition question irritated me. They drew certain statements from me concerning the French that, I realize now, were in poor taste.” Washington had removed a cigarette from the package and placed it gingerly be- tween his lips. He watched the spitting blaze of a safety match, fascinated. He tasted the smoke, exhaled and puffed again. “The flavor,” he pronounced “is not that of tobacco, but I rather like it. I under- stand that Americans smoke cigarettes at the rate of billions a year. It seems incred- ible. Mrs. Islington smoked several after breakfast. She drew the smoke into her lungs and exhaled it through her nostrils. It was amazing. She insisted that I try one, but I declined.” Washington continued to puff at the cigarette. Once he coughed and tears came into his eyes; but Larry did not smile. “JT am anxious to see America, as you say, ‘from coast to coast.’ But I hate to leave here for the excitement that that will probably mean. And so many strangers! It is hard for me to believe that the only people I know in the world are the ones I have met since last night. Every one has been very kind. Mr. Muller gave me a long talk this noon at luncheon on modern inventions. I wonder, when I leave to see America, if some of these good people can-_ not accompany me.” CORNICE OO KS (E@)