Argosy All-Story Weekly, February 5, 1921 — page 120: what you’re looking at

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

406 nothing short of malicious. Wo to any movie masher who had met her then. Arrived at the noveltygcounter in the ereat store, Mary went through the cus- tomary formality of dusting things off. In the course of this operation she paused to hail the girl across the aisle. ‘Oh, Myrt! Say, girly, didja read Ann Bickers’s colyum this mornin’?” ‘“ Uh-huh, lotta bunk,” appraised Myrtle. “ That Bickers Jane must belong in a old ladies’ home. What she think a girl’s goin’ do after grinnin’ like a Chessie cat all day tryin’ to be pleasant to a wild, bargain- huntin’ bunch of hyenas?, Go to the libr’y or the Ev’ry Night Sewin’ Circle? If old lady Bickers had this job one day she’d be laid out the next in the l'uneral Church! Just because a fella wants to show a girl a cood time why—”' ‘* Tell it to Freddie, Myrt, next time he comes around. Y’know just as well as I do a girl’s gotta keep both eyes wide open!” “Uh-huh, but she don’t have to wear blinkers! I gave a good lookin’ Johnnie the once-over at the movies last night and, savy, Mary, y’ought to hear [reddie rave! But [I smoothed deary over, and to-night we're goin’ to Palisades Park. Wanta come along?" ‘Thanks, awfully, girly. Y’know I'd love to go over there with you and [reddie. But, honest injun, I gotta date.”’ The opening gong sounded somewhere in the depths of the great store. The doors swung open and a black stream poured in. There was a bargain sale on. Tor Mary it was one of those days which never seem to come to anend. She watched the swaying surge around Myrtle’s counter and as the hours crawled slowly by wished there had been a bargain offering in novel- ties as well as in hosiery. The general ten- dency of those who came to the novelty counter seemed to be: “I’m just looking, thank you!” The afternoon was a repetition of the morning with only an occasional sale to re- lieve the monotony. One of the attributes of a sale is that it completes a transaction. Something has been accomplished. Bargain day may be hard on the nerves, but at least it makes the hours fly. ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. It was nearly closing time when a middle- aged woman in a sober and rather old- fashioned tailored suit stepped up to the novelty counter. She timidiy picked up an eight-by-ten picture-frame and appeared to be measuring it with a photograph she held in her hand, glancing furtively about her as if in great fear of being discovered, when Mary leaned over the counter. ‘Was you wantin’ anything?”’ The little woman started back. “Why, I—I was just looking—that is— I—I was looking for a frame. I—1I want a frame.” ‘““ That one you got in your hand?” asked Mary coldly. “ Is that the kind you want?” The little woman looked down, seeming to have forgotten that she had it. The sight of the frame apparently restored her cour- age. | ‘To be sure,” she said. ‘‘ Now I havea picture here that seems to go well with this frame, but-—”’ She was hesitant still and as she stood irresolute she inadvertently placed the picture, face up, on the coun- ter. Marv saw it. “Worth Brent! <A real photograph! Say, ma’am, do you know Worth Brent?” Once again the little woman was startled, but this time Mary was quick to reassure her. ‘Say, ain’t that just swell? Y’know, ma'am, I got that same picture on my bureau. Only mine ain’t a real photograph... Gee, but Id like to have one like this! Do you know Director Brent?” The little woman did not and maybe it was foolish to have his photograph, but a friend who reviewed photoplays had given it to her and she did so admire his pictures and there wasn't any harm in wanting to have his photograph, was there? “Say, ma’am, I[’d go to bed without sup- per for a month to own that picture. Auto- graphed, too! Would y’mind if I took it Just a second?” The little woman would not mind. was still a little dazed. Mary slipped out at the end of the coun- ter and crossed over to where Myrtle was answering seven women at once. “Pst! Hey, Myrt! crheqrkisyerstics She CO