Argosy All-Story Weekly, Vol. 123, No. 3 — page 102: what you’re looking at

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

ee: re ie! 384 great fireplace at the end of the room was filled with burning logs. They made it too warm when one stood near, but they cast a pleasant light over the rest of the room, and, as Edward said, they made the place seem more hospitable. He always connect- ed open fires with comfort, which was a prejudice inherited from the bitter wintgs of his childhood. | Presently the door opened and a moso ammousced Miss Tyson. Garth made a con- vulsive movement to go, and then recol- lected himself and asked his mother to meet the girl. She saw that his face was set, and his hands nervous, and her own serrow gave place for an instant to pity for him and the same dull anger at the girl. She found Margaret Tyson in the hall in the act of taking off her linen duster. She could not see the girl distinctly at Grst; she rather saw her own false picture of Margaret, so she went forward with her - hand extended and with the crisp rusting of her bespangied dress comforting her ears. “ This is Miss Tyson, I believe?” She had read that, and the formality of it stayed with her; then the other turned quickly, and Mrs. Garth glimpsed a flash- ing smile, and very large, very dark eyes. Mrs. Garth felt that small, cold sense of pain which comes to most plain women and to all mothers of men when they see a very lovely young girl. Then the slender, gloved hand was in hers, and she was lis- tening rather to the musical voice than to the words themselves. The first thing she noted clearly was the simplicity of Margaret Tyson’s clothes. But of course those were her traveling- clothes, and one cannot. be. judged by what she wears on the sooty cross-continent trains. Next she noted that she was not be- ing examined in the cool, critical fashion for which she had prepared herself. The girl took everything for granted, apparently. Or was that her art? They went back into the living-room, while Margaret was taking off her gloves. Mrs. Garth dreaded seeing her son stand- ing- with his feet spread apart and his arm dangling awkwardly at his sidés awaiting Margaret; she was infinitely relieved when shé& found Edward in the act of pushing ‘saying. 'ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY..: up a big chair nearer the fire. He was quite natural and at ease as he greeted Mies Tyson. - They settled down, Margaret sat facing toward the fire, in the center, with Garth on her right Mrs. Garth to her left, and as the firelight played over the face of the girl. Mrs. Garth’s heart sank. It seemed as if a river of feminine might was sweeping down around her son; he coutd never struggle against it; he could fever look beneath that face. She, Mrs. Garth, would have to do his looking for him. “T’ve just come from Hal,” the girl was “ He's very thin—looks natner mi, too. ” Tiere was some degree of reproach m her voice. — *“ Yes,” nodded Garth. “ He insists on taking the hardest manual labor he can find at the dam. But don’t you think it's rather fine for him to adopt that attitude?” “I suppose you know why he’s ome it?” ‘ ‘* Perhaps 1 do, in part.” « “T can tell you.” , She turned directly upon Garth, and the elder woman caught her breath. day women never stared boldly on men. They observed the trousered sex with side glances, mostly. But Margaret Tyaon rested her elbow on the arm of the chair and dropped her chin upon the back of her ‘knuckles and looked at Edward with a steady smile. Mrs. Garth blinked. She felt as Hanni- bal might have felt had he watched the ar- tillery tactics of Napoleon at Austerfitz. These revolutionary tactics took her breath. “Tl tell you why,” ran on the charmmg voice. “It’s because Hal is carried away with admiration of you, Mr. Garth. He’s actually happy to share your work—even if he is doing no more than swing a pick— - or lift sacks of cement.” It warmed Mrs. Garth’s heart to hear that. This was the right spirit to have toward her son; if young Tyson was capa- ble of this, his sister might not be so bad after all. But: “I’m afraid I shaH have a hard time making him go back home with me,” In her said Margaret. “J wonder if he thinks 6A