Argosy All-Story Weekly, February 23, 1924 — page 111: what you’re looking at

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

NOT SUFFICIENT FUNDS. bought this little place in the country. It was a rather unprofitable refuge for the de- clining years of the old contractor and his wife. Florence was accustomed to help her parents, occasionally, out of her salary. And now—to have this terrible jolt in her own domestic finances! The cross-examination when she got Frank alone. It appeared that he had borrowed a hun- dred and fifty dollars at the bank. How had he borrowed it? Why, on his note, of course. Any security? No. Any indorse- was resumed ment? Well, he had—he had—. Out it came, finally. He had signed her name to the note! As Florence gazed at him with horror- stricken and incredulous eyes he elucidated further. The cashier of course knew that she was working at the big store, knew that she was getting a good salary, knew that she was liked by her employers, and so had asked him to get his wife’s indorsement. And—well, he had gone out and gotten it— that was all! As the boy began to realize the enormity of his act, he became contrite, almost ab- ject. “Oh, now, Flo—I can make it up. I sure will make it up. I’ll work like a nailer. Oh, Flo, don’t tell your folks! Flo, I just thought I’d make a little killing and plump two or three hundred into your lap. You work so hard, Flo! Of course, it ain’t fair, and it makes me feel rotten. I did it for you, Flo! Honest, I did.” ‘“ W-well, it’s a f-fine stunt to do for me, I must say! Forge my name and then g-gamble the money away!”’ She flung herself face down on the bed and wept bitterly, pounding the pillows with her fists. “Please, please, Flo! Oh, Flo, dear, you're so good, and I’m such a beast. [’ll quit it for good, Flo. Honest! Honest, I will.” “Oh, Frank, Frank! lieve you.” Financially, however, the situation was really not desperate. Florence had some money, about two hundred dollars, in a lit- tle savings account of her own, which Frank knew nothing about. He never should If I could only be- 269 know anything about it, she determined, until he had proved himself. There must be some anchor to windward, if his gaming passion were not to drive them against the rocks. And it was his job, as a husband, to pay for the furniture, too. The desperate thing was the depth to which his weakness had led him. She shud- dered in the dark. Florence slept badly, waking frequently from the same dream: Frank, his hand- some, boyish face aghast with terror, falling over a cliff while she reached in vain to save him. Once she must have screamed. aloud, for she felt his hand patting her shoulder gently. Her father called, from another part of the house, “Hello! Any- thing wrong?” “No, dad,” responded Frank, cheerfully. “ We're all right.” In the morning Florence was pale and tired, but very calm. “I’m going to town on the nine o’clock train,” she announced quietly. ‘“‘ No, you stay here, I'rank. You can’t help me. I’ve just thought of something I want to do, and I won’t have time Monday after the store opens.” . The girl who could keep the finances of a large mercantile establishment correct to a cent, but who had been able to do nothing at all with her husband’s monetary affairs, was thinking very hard during the hour’s ride back by train. Arriving at the city she went straight to the Streeter Hotel and asked for Mr. Covert. The clerk was not surprised to find a handsome young woman inquiring for that gentleman, though the hour was a little un- usual. : “T don’t think he’s come down yet, miss,”’ he said, looking in box 618 to see if the key was there. ‘I'll call his room.” Mr. Covert was evidently still asleep, for there seemed to be some delay in getting an answer. “Lady inquiring for you, Mr. Covert.” There was some response which made the clerk laugh. He looked at Florence. ‘““She certainly is,” he replied through the telephone. ‘I'll tell the world!” He addressed her: ‘‘ What’s your name, please, miss?” COMIC OOO KS (E@)