Argosy and Railroad Man's Magazine, Vol. 107 No. 3 — page 42: what you’re looking at

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

384 - ARGOSY AND RAILROAD MAN’S MAGAZINE. said, but ”—she skrugged—“ a girl with no money and trying to live on the extra work they hand out is—it isn’t just safe and pleasant. I ran away from home in Michi- gan to try it two years ago; and finally I ran away to get back. I just didn’t want to wait, or pay the price. And I got to Chicago to-night—and lost my hand-bag— tickets and change at the station. I could have wired mother, but I—couldn’t. I wanted to put my arms around her first and cry. Mothers understand, you know.” Hildreth had listened quietly. “But this:money, Miss Travers! You just said it was your money!”’ “IT know,” she smiled. ‘A_ horrible temptation—but I couldn’t—after you— menue you, and you believing I couldn’t.”’ while he was staring at the black wallet, thinking of the other girl who had watched him take it, Miss Mystery sud- _denly laughed with wonderful music. “Oh, you—such a boy! I never saw a thousand dollars in my life!” And because he was so silent she went on: ‘Why, then, we’re both broke again, aren’t we? Oh, the supper-checks! Look at that thousand dollars!” And she clapped her little hands while Hildreth began to count the money. “There are twenty notes fdr one thou- sand. each—ten of five ‘hundred. Thirty thousand dollars in new bills, Miss— Travers. Movie stuff—only it isn’t!” © “You have no money?” she said. “ Not a red!” “We can’t go offer to pay two- ihirty- five-cent checks with a five-hundred-dollar bill! They'd call the police! That cashier ig watching us all the time as it is.”’ “I know,” he retorted soberly. ‘‘ That’s just it! Oh, money!—it would get me out of a frightful scrape—back East! And ”— he stopped suddenly—“ how’ll we ever— find the owner? Do you remember a rat- _eyed man who sat by you in the car?” _ “ Yes—he kept watching me, and watch- ing behind, too—all the time. I was too dull and despondent to notice much. Yes, a rat-eyed man. And the packet couldn’t have been there before he sat down—I re-- member dropping my veil and having to find it under the seat.” Hildreth was still before her excitement. “Look here —little lady. We could keep this, couldn’t we? Fifteen thousand apiece—” “Not,” she whispered slowly, “ after what you did—bringing it to me.” “Not,” Hildreth pursued, “ after what you did—refusing it! Oh, I hope we can’t find the rat-eyed man—or any one! Per- haps we can’t! Perhaps there’s no clue; we'll have to advertise, but—” ‘Qh, it’s too much to let go. The chap who lost it will be at the police with his yarn, and the newspapers ’ll publish it to- morrow!” ‘“T know,’ muttered Hildreth. “I hope it’s some. dashed profiteer with his millions who'll give us a thousand—just for your sake—a plucky girl like you, Miss—Miss— I just can’t recall your name.”’ “My studio name? Miss | Aileen Travers.” “Miss Mystery,” he murmured, “ will do. I wish we were comfortable common crooks. And it’s lucky for the chap whe owns this that I saw your eyes—so troubled and raised to the storm! And even yet I have a grand idea that we’ll never find him. The wallet’s empty save for the money— no papers, no clue. : Fate is with us, Miss — —Mystery!”’ Hildreth suddenly shook the pack of bank-notes resolutely. And from them fell —a white card. He heard the girl gasp sharply. Was she hoping, after all, that the owner of the black wallet would never be revealed? He saw her pale face bent over the card. Silently she tossed it to him. Upon it, in fine, hurried script, was penciled: MILLY—316. Hildreth turned the card. It was a florist’s with a stand in the lobby of the Hotel Plantagenet. The young man looked at the girl with rather a lugubrious sigh. __ “Funny, isn’t it? I was just drawing DOOKS > (C(O) (C(O) mM