Argosy All-Story Weekly, November 12, 1927 — page 152: what you’re looking at

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

626 Carter than for most of the others, because of his violent temper—a temper that flared up into an angry flame on astonishingly slight provocation. And this morning, Thomas J. Bitt had been more ornery than ever. He had greet- ed Billy with: ‘Why haven’t those in- voices gone to Maracaibo?” “T’ve been waiting for the prices?” “‘T gave you the prices long ago.” Billy felt the blood start for his temples, but he hung on and replied: ‘“ You told me to hold up the invoices until Searle gave me the figures.” “Oh, I did? Well, why didn’t you get them from Searle?” “He was supposed to give them to me. You didn’t tell me to go to him for them.” “ Oh—that’s the way it goes! He was supposed — you were supposed — what in hell have you got a head for? You’re all alike—the whole bunch of you! Passing the buck! Well, suppose you stir up those scrambled brains of yours, if any, and—” Out of the devastating wave of rage that swept him off his feet, Billy roared: “ Sup- pose you go to hell! You miserable idiot! If I didn’t have more brains than you I’d go shoot them out! I—” At that point Thomas J. Bitt recovered sufficiently to bellow: “‘ You’re fired! Get your pay and get out! Quick!” “Vou beat me to it, you damned old skunk!” Billy shouted. ‘I wouldn’t be caught breathing the same air as you!” He whirled on his heel and slammed out. For a few moments, after he reached the street, Billy stood idly on the edge of the curb, still too excited to think clearly. But gradually his brain cleared, and he began to take mental stock of matters as they stood, In his pocket were sixty-one dollars, in- cluding what he had drawn that morning. In the bank was the pitiful sum of twelve dollars and forty cents; he and Una had checked it over the night before. Fortunately, the monthly rent of sixty- five dollars had been paid two days earlier; their floating bills amounted to very little. But there would be a twenty-five dollar in- stallment due on the furniture next week. Not a brave showing, but Billy reck- ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. oned he could land something with a rival concern without much trouble. The first step was to go home and tell Una about the fireworks. I. Durinc the journey uptown in the sub- way, Billy discovered that the irritation caused by his interview with Thomas J. Bitt still lingered. As he emerged at the Grand Central to transfer to the Broad- way line, an over eager stout gentleman plumped straight into him, and Billy snapped: “ Can’t you look where you’re going, you damned walrus?” The puffing party of the second part turned and growled an insult over his shoulder which caused Billy to rush at him like a rattled pugilist. But the door closed on his annoyer, and that was that. Billy calmed down on the train—in a measure. The business of breaking the news to Una was a bit sobering. Nevertheless, he found himself bawling out the elevator man for carrying on a pro- longed conversation with a delivery boy and keeping the lift waiting. Yes, indeed, by the time Billy let himself into the apart- ment the world had resolved itself into a most horrible mess! Una took the tidings bravely, although there was trouble in her eyes when Billy told her of how he had flared up. In fact, she was so sweet and uncomplaining that a wave of contrition swept over her young husband. This was coupled with a fierce secret determination to land a new job im- mediately, to show Una that he could make up for his failings by digging up a better place than the one he had lost! He said: “Oh, I’ll come out all right, Una.” She said: “I know you will, dear. course you will!” But he could see that while she refrained from saying so, she did wish that he could control that tempestuous streak in his make-up a little better. Well—he meant to. The thought of Una suffering through his faults brought a lump into his throat. He took her in his arms and murmured: ““T guess I was a fool, all right.” Of CEOPMICLOOOKS (E@)