Argosy All-Story Weekly, May 5, 1928 — page 78: what you’re looking at

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

644 “But you knew [ was coming to- night.”’ “That’s a safe bet almost any night,” she retorted as she made for the street door. “[ brought you some candy,” he protested, displaying the box. “ That was sweet of you. upstairs 1f you like.” “Then you are When?” “T don’t know. Wait! You know Miss Hilda Brinker, don’t you?” “We have a speaking acquaintance.” “Good. You'll be our escort.” Impressed by her manner and the name of Brinker, he hailed a passing Yellow cab, wondering as he helped her in, how Nora happened to be go- ing somewhere with Hilda Brinker, whom he was aware she had not known a few days before. “Tell him to go first to Miss Brin- ker’s home,” the girl instructed, and Ranny repeated the order before he demanded an explanation. ‘What is it all about, please, Nora?”’ he inquired. “Oh,” ejaculated Nora, and threw him a dubious look. Having but one thing on her mind and having com- mandeered the young man because an escort might be useful, she had for- gotten that upon the one occasion that Mr. Milligan had encountered Mr. Lucus they had behaved like a couple of Thomas cats. Furthermore Ranny despised Lester because of his occupa- tion and would probably resent being forced to head an expedition in search of him. “ How do you happen to be friends with Miss Brinker? I didn’t know you knew her,” he continued. “T haven’t known her long,’ she ‘Take it back ? coming evaded. ‘A mutual friend of ours 1s in some difficulty. I'll let her tell you, T think.” Nora rightly surmised that Ranny might be tongue-tied in the presence of his employer’s daughter, and certainly would not presume to in- terrogate her. ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. She had considerable trouble keep- ing him in the dark during the long ride, but she managed it, aided some- what by the fact that Mr. Milligan was rather pleased at the opportunity of meeting Hilda Brinker in another ca- pacity than office jackal, and _ cofi- sidered that it would do him no harm in a business way to be of some serv- ice to her. Ranny was rather a good-looking young man of high moral principle and serious purpose, but the purpose was to do his best for Randolph Milligan. By strict attention to duty, by saving his money and keeping his eyes open, he hoped to lift himself in the world. In sane, sensible moments he was aware that his infatuation for Nora Meagher, who was lovely but penniless, was not very wise in view of his am- bition, but he assured himself that she would make a nice inexpensive wife— as though there were any inexpensive wives. He had never dreamed of friend- ship with his employer’s daughters, who lived on a plane far above his, but now—who knows? So he was disloyal to Nora in his thoughts, despite her propinquity in the cab and the subtle scent of Nuit de Noel which she gave forth. Nora used very expensive perfume, but very little of it, and that trifle, blending with her own natural fragrance, was intoxicat- ing. Nora was lovely, he thought, but Hilda Brinker was exquisite and would be worth millions when her father died. A young man could make his own way in the world by diligence, but he would go up much quicker if he married a wealthy girl. After all, he had not been accepted by Nora. He had proposed, but she had kept him dangling; if she lost him it was her own fault, and he was not to blame for bettering himself. Rather a mean young man, you may be thinking. Perhaps. It is such men as these who rise in the world and COPMNICLOOOKS (C@)