Argosy All-Story Weekly, November 12, 1927 — page 76: what you’re looking at

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

500 hundred and iorty thousand dollars in the bank. All she had to do was to sign two little cards to be sent down to the bank, and thereafter she was free to sign checks for whatever sums she chose. What fun it was! She had never handled any money in her life before. Mr. Minturn recommended that part of the money be invested, since on December first there would be as much or more com- ing in from interest and dividends, but Carola had a different idea. “It is every- body’s duty to spend their income,” she said. “It keeps the money in circulation and helps make good times.” She had picked this up from Mr. Breedon. “You can’t spend your whole income!” said Mr. Minturn aghast. ‘It is more than a million a year!” “T can but try,” said Carola. And in fact she scattered checks like fall- ing petals in an orchard. That very same morning she sallied forth to buy an auto- mobile that she could drive herself. She bought a huge Brewster green roadster that made her look like a pygmy at the wheel, and later she saw one of a different make in Copenhagen blue that she thought suited her coloring better, so she bought that also. The young salesmen were perfectly lovely to her. She gathered a whole bunch of them together and took them to lunch at the Madagascar. What fun they had! In the afternoon she went to Mandel’s to order evening dresses that would be suit- able to appear in at Elysia; she rioted among splendid effects and showy colors; a sown of gold cloth and turquoise velvet; another of silver cloth misted with black net like the night sky; a scarlet dress such as she had longed for all her life. This was to be made perfectly plain, to hang from her shoulders by two points. There was also a dress in paddy green; a sheath gown rade of some weird iridescent Oriental stuff; and a taffeta dress with bouffant skirt in the brightest shade of blue. This was Carola’s favorite color. By this time she was tired of choosing. ‘ P]] order some more next week,” she said, and carried Miss Julia the mannikin off to have tea with her. Free at last of super- vision and chaperonage the two girls had a ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY, lovely time together talking about young men. Carola learned something from Julia. vited Julia to come live with her so they could always be together, but the offer was declined. Julia was wistful, but firm. “My boy friend wouldn’t like it,” she said. ‘ But he can come to see you whenever he wants,” said Carola. ‘He wouldn’t come. He’d just get sore. No,” added the wise young head, “‘I had best stick to my job. It will give me a big pull at Mandel’s when they see that you are my friend. And it will be just lovely if we can be together sometimes.” Carola privately resolved to send Julia all her girly-girly dresses that she was sick of, but which Julia seemed to like. After tea she went to Mount’s and ordered a diamond crescent that she in- tended to wear in her hair when she put on the black and silver dress. This made a really noticeable hole in her bank balance. I'll be able to spend it all before the first of December, she thought with satisfaction. During those first days Carola had several interviews with Mr. Minturn. He had rather a deflated aspect when he came into her presence now. The gray curls hung limply down around the bald spot. He gave Carola to understand that his legal business had suffered irreparable damage owing to the announcement in the press that he was no longer her attorney; so Carola caused another notice to be put in the papers stat- ing that Mr. Mitchell Minturn was still at- torney and adviser to her and the Goadby estate. So much for the public, but the erstwhile trustee soon found that his job was a sine- cure now. Carola went on paying him a handsome stipend, but he had nothing to do except to offer advice, which, it is to be feared, was generally not taken. Carola, with all the attention, encouragement and adulation that was lavished upon her, matured almost overnight. The _ brilliant assured young creature, who ran her own show, had little left in common with the In a burst of impulsiveness she in-- subdued child of yesterday, product of a . long line of nurses, chaperones. governesses, and Mr. Minturn was forced to Gomichbooks (E@)