Argosy All-Story Weekly, November 12, 1927 — page 66: what you’re looking at

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

540 “ Have one?” Carola said carelessly. ** No, thanks,” said he. ‘“‘I just wanted to tell you that Mr. Minturn called up three times when you were out. He asked me to call him as soon as you got back.” “ Oh, bother!” said Carola, “I thought I was through. with him.” McQuissick said nothing. Much against her will, Carola was forced to ask for advice. ‘“ What must I do about Mr. Minturn?” “Well, miss, since you ask me,” said McQuissick cautiously, “I should say keep him by you. He’s had a jolt, Mitchell Min- turn has; he’s feeling real humble-minded now. If you can keep him in his place, he’d be a valuable man to have around you.” I must not do anything without con- sulting Mr. Breedon, thought Carola. “‘ Well, tell him I’m too tired to talk busi- ness to-night, but I’ll see him in the morn- ing,” said Carola. | McQuissick nodded. “ Here’s a list of your social engagements that Mrs. Van Arsdale left for you,” he said, and went away to telephone. Carola studied the list with strong dis- taste. Dinner at General Rampayne’s; dance of the Knickerbocker Association at the Madagascar; Mr. Percival Papp’s mu- sical morning; lunch at Mrs. Frelinghuy- sen’s; tea at Mrs. Bramsby Lincoln’s, and so on. How well Carola knew the round. As soon as you completed it, you started over. She tossed the list on a table. McQuissick returned to say that Mr. Minturn would call upon her at eleven next day. ‘‘ He wanted to come at nine,” said the detective with a twinkle; “but I took the liberty of putting him off.” “Quite right,” said Carola. “ You're such a help to me, Mr. McQuissick.” She picked up the list. “Now I wish you’d telephone to all these people and tell them I can’t come to their stupid parties.” “ But what ll I say?” objected McQuis- sick, a little aghast. “ Say anything you like. What is it they always say? Say I’m indisposed. That’s perfectly true.” “But how would they know who I was?” ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. “Write to them, then,” said Carola impatiently. “Write a note to each one, and I'll sign it.” McQuissick ran a hand through his hair. “TI can’t,” he said helplessly. ‘“You can’t write?” ‘* Sure I can write, but I don’t know how to put it to fashionable folks.” Bother the man, thought Carola. How different he was from Mr. Breedon, who made everything so easy for her. ‘“ Put it any way you like,” she said, “ as long as you make it clear that I’m not coming.” McQuissick went out with a hand in his hair. Presently the new butler came to the door of Carola’s boudoir. She never did learn this man’s name; he only stayed one day. He had come to announce that Mrs. Frelinghuysen was calling. Carola’s heart sunk. “What did you tell her?” she asked sharply. ‘* Said I’d see if you was in, miss.” “Then she’ll know I’m in.” “Sorry, miss, but I had no orders.” “Tell her I’m sick, and beg to be ex- cused.” “Yes, miss.” He went away. In three minutes he came padding softly along the corridor again. ‘“ She says she'll come right up, miss, if she may.” Carola jumped up. “Damn the wom- an!” she said. It was the first time she had ever sworn out loud. The sound of it gave her courage. “Ill go down to her,” she said, with the light of battle in her eyes. Carola put her cigarette away. On sec- ond thoughts, she lighted a fresh one, and went downstairs puffing. Mrs. Freling- huysen, withered and elegant, was sitting in the blue drawing-room with a conscious- ly sweet expression. Her face changed in the most comical manner when she saw the cigarette. She swallowed hard, but said nothing about it. “My dear, when I read that terrible story in the newspaper I came to you at once.” ‘Qh, do you read that paper?” asked Carola sweetly. “Not as a rule,” said Mrs. Frelinghuy- Gomicbooks (E)