Argosy All-Story Weekly, February 4, 1922 — page 153: what you’re looking at

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

BY WAY OF “Great to have some one feel that way about one. I suppose Mr. Livingston has been waiting to hear from you?”’ “Why, yes.” Then for fear some more embarrassing questions might be asked, Jacqueline began talking rapidly. For twenty minutes she rambled on about any subject that came into her head. Then she began, ‘‘ I wonder—”’ and. hesitated. “Yes?” encouragingly. ‘“‘ Just how are you and Mr. Livingston to become acquainted?’’ “There is the chance of your introduc- ing us.” “The only obstacle to that,” Jacqueline frowned, “ is — that —I don’t know your name.” ‘TI wish all obstacles were as easily re- moved,” he said; ‘I’m Rodney Lanier.”’ “Oh,” gasped Jacqueline, “ how can you be Rodney Lanier?” “My mother ard father decided on it before I had time to protest.” “You are Constance’s brother! You knew when I gave you Constance’s card—”’ “Here you are,” a deep voice boomed out behind them making Jacqueline jump to her feet. “ Robert!” she exclaimed. “My darling wife—” began Robert. “‘ T)-d-don’t, please,” begged Jacqueline. “ Dearest,” began Robert again, “ you are all unstrung.”’ “ Hello, Rob!” Rodney rose with a broad grin on his face. “ How in time?” stamme¢red Robert. “It’s all an awful mess, and I suppose it’s my fault,” groaned Jacqueline. “In the mean time Jet me introduce to you my friend Edward Herne. As a high- up detective he will enjoy the unraveling of © the mystery.” With a rush all Jacqueline’s past trou- bles came back to her. She held out a trembling hand. U Uw “ CHESSMEN A CHAPERON. 463 After Herne had shaken it heartily he turned to Robert, slapping him vigorously on the back. “Too bad you lost out, old man.” “Tt was a mean trick getting me down here under false pretenses,”’ grinned Robert sheepishly. Then they all looked inquiringly at Jac- queline. ‘““T can’t tell you.” She cast a frightened glance at Detective Herne. “Don’t you be afraid.” Rodney caught hold of her hand reassuringly. ‘“ Ill take care of you.” “I ran away,” Jacqueline plunged in heedlessly. ‘‘ My family thought I could spend a year finishing off after I’d spent four endless years being finished by the Misses Luggs. That was where I met Con- stance. ‘‘ After meeting you,” with a nod toward Rodney, ‘‘ at the restaurant, and again in the train, I decided you must be a detective sent after me hot foot by my devoted fam- ily. As I had one of Constance’s cards in my pocket, it seemed easy to pretend I was Mrs. Robert Livingston. Rodney chuckled. ‘““T suppose it’s your own affair that you happen to be Constance’s brother.” Then glancing defiantly at Herne, she asked— ‘* Now what are you going to do about it?” “Constance is Robert’s wife. It’s up to him,” he replied with a smile. ‘“ After being thrown down so promptly I leave. it to Rodney,” grinned Robert. ‘“‘ Please, please, don’t send me home,” Jacqueline gripped the hand that still held hers. “T think to-morrow I’ll—go back with you,” replied Rodney slowly. “By way of a _ chaperon?” Jacqueline. “By way of a_ husband,” Rodney. U U OF MARS ” groaned grinned is the title of the great new serial by the universal favorite EDGAR RICE BURROUGHS that will begin in this magazine within the next two weeks COmiClbooks.Gonn