Argosy All-Story Weekly, January 13, 1923 — page 110: what you’re looking at

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

—— = a Oe aed ee ee, ee ane | et ee ee ee ee ee eT a=, ior * 2 Re pe Se i Se a som) Sy as SS ee oS - = af a: = Face se es Tee r= : So x. : 2 — “ 4 8 es = _— . tank - ‘notwithstanding, to go to Aunt Faith with the whole story! “ Surgeon’s kindness ”’— that was a favorite expression of Mrv Pot- ter’s and a favorite principle as well. And, assuming that he could be steered away from unfortunate Aunt Faith, there were many other people to whom he was certain to relate the whole thing. Unquestionably it would take a very little time in reaching the ears of Thurlow Wicks. “Er—ah—+yes, thanks!” puffed Mr. Har- ley, who had no wish at all to add to his troubles by a trip to the mouth of Hades. “ Cigar?” said Mr. Potter. ARGOSY-ALLSTORY. WEEKLY. . Mr. Potter leaned still farther back and stared at the ceiling. ‘ 'You’re in a rut,” said he. “If you had no job, you’d do all these things, my boy.” ‘“‘'Yes—probably,” John conceded un- guardedly. “Certainly!” said the head of the firm, and brought his chair down with a bang, “* Well, that’s easily settled. You have no job! You're fired!” Following this he threw back his head and laughed unroariously, much as if having no job was the very funniest condition pos- sible. Se tae + aes Pe ee Oe eS ee e. OO, ne ee ag Re tS ——— rs Sy - = ae es <a 2S ae — ou —, = = : ~* - 4 =~ * “No, thanks,” said Mr. Harley. The head of the firm tilted farther back and regarded his young friend with the same Pe: “ Made a lot of plans, Jack?” “Not one!” SURGEON’S KINDNESS, HESE last few minutes had been rather et A _ “ Really?” mused Mr. Potter. ‘ About time to begin, isn’t it? Most young fellows would have had the next fifty years’ amuse- ment plotted out by this time. You—er— don’t mean to keep on working here?”’ “Why, of course!” said the somewhat startled John. “ How long?” “ For—for years, I hope.” “ Well—that’s curious!” Mr. Potter said teflectively. “ Would it not be better per- haps to get out and look over the rest of the world for a while?” “T detest travel!” Mr. Harley explained quite glibly. ; ““ That’s because you’ve never done much of it, Jack. You and Millie Ames have hit it off, I understand.” “ U-m— —yes! ” “ Jack,” said Mr. Potter, and laid the kindliest hand upon his knee, “ listen to the advice of a wise old man—and then take it. “You marry that pretty little kid just as soon as the law ‘ll allow and clear out for a long vacation. See America first. Then take a steamer on the Pacific Coast and in- spect the Orient. After that, work around to Europe and see whether you find it satis- ? ““Well—iater on, in the course of a year ‘or two—yes, possibly. But just now—” “Tt doesn’t appeal ?”’ “No, sir!” peaceful for John Harley. That is to say, the impression of sanctuary in this calm inner office had been growing and his nervous tension had relaxed consider- ably. Here, it had seemed to John, noth- ing of a racking nature could well happen— and in spite of all that something very definite and very disturbing had contrived to happen within five minutes! Mr. Potter’s mirth continued the while John stared at him and was aware of the same old familiar chilly thrill he had ac- quired day before yesterday. “TI guess that settles it!”’ announced Mr, Potter in a final burst of gayety, ‘““J—I don’t want—” “Of course you don’t. You’re in a rut, Jack; you never would want to quit of your own accord. That’s why I’m giving you an honorable discharge.”’ “ But I don’t want a discharge!” Mr. Harley declared wildly. ‘‘I want to keep right on here. I—I’m satisfactory, am [ not?” ‘‘ Best man in the place, Jack. Too good for such a job; that’s why I’m hurling you out of it!” o4 But—’? Viewing his genuine perturbation, Potter ceased his laughing and became again the quiet friend. ‘“‘ Shock, I know,” said he. ‘ Surgeon’s kindness, my boy. You'll understand that