Argosy All-Story Weekly, July 7, 1928 — page 125: what you’re looking at

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

HEARTBREAK TRAIL, “Really, you punish me severely for my tactless blundering,”’ laughed the doctor. “TIl do my best to arrange everything with the nicest discretion.” To Reuel’s satisfaction and relief, Hetty was established under Mrs. Rob- erts’s care that night, and made com- fortable according to the physician’s di- rections. As a matter of courtesy the young man allowed himself to be taken to the Roberts apartment and presented to the lady, that he might thank her for her kindness. “It’s a pleasure to be of some serv- ice, I assure you, Mr. Tristram,” she said. “ The little girl is fortunate to have a true friend like you. And real- ly, she’s a dear, sweet little thing. I’m sure I don’t blame you a bit for—” “My dear Mrs. Roberts,’ Reuel in- terrupted with polite severity, “ will you permit me to tell you that, though young, I have never been romantic in the general sense? [ am naturally prac- tical and rather prosaically inclined, and it pleases me to devote a modest por- tion of my income to certain small phil- anthropies. “ You'll therefore understand, [I’m sure, that I have no sentimental inter- est whatever in Miss Leeds. I’m en- gaged to a lady in Washington and, at home or abroad, I am_ habitually scrupulous in matters of conduct and deportment.”’ He went to his room in a fine rage, and remembered for the first time that he had been chilled and almost ill on arrival at the hotel. The hotel was comfortably appointed, and there was a stove in his room, so he began to feel more contented and at ease as he re- laxed and divested himself of the heavy, damp clothing. It pleased him presently, in spite of the lateness of the hour, to devote some minutes to the one with the greatest claim upon his attention. He wrote to Miranda a brief summary of the recent hours of excitement, disorder, and trag- edy. 265 Momentous public events were dis- posed of in a few scratches of the pen, but he took conscientious pains to re- late the story of Hetty Leeds in detail, though he avoided any suggestion of pride in his own part in the melancholy drama. . The reply which came to him in due time amply justified the confidence that he reposed in Miranda’s invariable good sense and perfect understanding. She wrote: Do you not fear, dear Reuel, that your Miranda may be the very least bit jealous of the poor little bird of passage who has so engaged your at- tention and compassion? But no, dearest boy, you would nev- er give a thought to such folly. Our love and our understanding of each other are too perfect, too complete, for that. Be assured that I am very proud of my Tristram, my perfect gentle knight —very proud indeed that my true love is of a different mold, a different clay, from the frivolous dandies of our so- cial circle who wear their hearts on their sleeves and find new infatuations in every cup of China tea and every figure of the dance. Hubert Dawson, hobbling about the hotel on his crutches, was fast recover- ing the use of his leg. He applauded Reuel’s rescue of Hetty from the Leeds home and made no reference to motives or consequences; therefore Reuel val- ued him even more highly than before for his good taste and wisdom. “Tf that Eustace comes snooping and whining around here after that little girl, don’t you be bothered with him, Reuel,” said Hubert. “ Tell him you're busy and refer him to me. “T might give that poor, unappreci- ated feller a new start in life—a regu- lar runnin’ start. I’d hate to run so far myself, but I’d take pleasure in keeping that varmint on the jump all the way to Oregon.” After the blizzard the town got back to normal conditions. The army of defense was disbanded and there was a general resumption of business. The Go NOOLKS ANIC (E@