Argosy All-Story Weekly, Vol. 123, No. 4 — page 176: what you’re looking at

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

682 as she watched me read promised badly for this. I glanced down at the ring which had tumbled out of the envelope and lay sparkling on the rock. As if she read my thoughts, Shirley picked it up. ‘“‘ He thinks that he can make me forget . by a cheap display of sentimentality,” she said with set face. ‘‘ Carlos, that man.-is a devil of cunning, but without the courage for big crimes. He would not kill, but he didn’t mind crushing my mother’s life out of her by inche& Well, he will not do that to me. I want no more of him or his.” With a sudden motion she flung the ring over the edge of the rock. Together in silence we watched it sparkle for an instant, then slip into a creaming wave and vanish. “You are right,” I said. “ He was a clever man; we are well rid of him.” In- _ voluntarily, I turned ever the sheet and saw a few lines on the back: P. S.—You will remember that I gave you the decided impression that Carlos was mak- ing love to you in order to be sure of getting the money both ways. I’ve wronged him, perhaps, and you will do well to accept him. He is not very clever, but will make a better husband for alt that. The anger I might have felt at this slur on my intelligence was swallowed up in a sudden rush of light. So this was why Shirley had been angry at me, the thing that she had refused to tel! me because it might only complicate matters. I saw it all clearly now, and just what I was to do. “ Shirley,” I demanded, “ did you really believe I wanted to marry you m order to get the money?” She had been moodily watching the spot where the ring had fallen, now she whirled around and the swift color beseiged her face. “Why, what—” she stammered, then her eyes fell on the letter in my hand. “ Oh, I forgot; I didn’t intend you to read that. It’s—it’s too absurd.” She reached for the letter, but I held it back. “It is,” I agreed. like the ring.” I tore it across, and flung the pieces away. ‘“‘ Now, what I want to know is, did you believe this lie?” ; So we'll destroy it— itized by CO ogle - ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. She tried to evade me, but I held her eyes firmly. “Yes, I did—at first,” she answered in “a small, subdued voice. ‘And you don’t—now?” “ How absurd you are—of course not.” ‘‘Then we are square for my {foolish ideas about you at first. Shirley, there’s something I must tell you now: you are the straightest little pal that ever a man could have, and I’ve loved you ever since we met on the boat. Your father is right; I am stupid, but I could make you a-good husband. Won’t you have me, dear?” Shirley put both her hands in mine. ‘My father only said that in the hope of keeping us apart. But I’ve loved you, too, Carlos, all the time—and I'll risk it!” I took her in my arms, and for some blissful moments we forgot uncles, money, and past truubles. ‘““ But, Carlos,” said Shirley, when we came down from our lover’s flight, “ even though it has all turned out so well, and Uncle Gregory—who is a dear—will heave us both his money, I don’t feel like living . on him until then, do you?” “No! I shatl ask him to advance me something to help out Edith and her boy, and I know he’s a good sort enough to do it, but I mean to get back my job on the Planet, and you, young woman, will have to live on what I provi “Ym not afraid,” she returned saucily. ‘You're a good, cook, anyway, as I’ve learned by experience.” “And I always keep my word, as you’ve learned also. Didn’t I say I'd win you, too? And JI have!” I saw her chin stiffen, and the rebellious light I so loved flash mto her eyes. “You are horrid, too, and you'll never outgrow that.” “You don’t want me to,” I teased. “ Be- sides, you look so adorable when you are angry, you little spit kitten.” “ Kittens have claws and know how to use them,” she answered calmly. “I can keep my word, too. When you made that nasty boasting speech on the rocks, I re- solved to get even. How,‘do you think?” ‘‘ By marrying,me?”’ I asked meanly. ‘By giving your hair one more pull.” GOnMeDooks. €O