Argosy All-Story Weekly, March 15, 1924 — page 111: what you’re looking at

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

TA0 detail to her tried and true friend Madge, . who had the tables next to hers. The tenderest cuts went to Forsythe also, | for Max had dreams, too, and was hopeful | though scorned time after: time. Forsythe laughed at Maude’s question. “No, but I put over a good deal to-day, a big deal, ” he answered, and then bent over his meal. Knowing that he was employed in a broker’s office she naturally ‘associated the word “ deal ” with stocks rather than an ap- pointment with an old-man with a death’s head. She was elated correspondingly as she had read of the unbelievable sums as- sociated with “ deals in stocks.” If he only would ask her for a date! She had slapped men, even good tipping ones, for less than that, but John Forsythe was different. But John Forsythe didn’t. Instead in the excess of his happiness he gave her a dime, pressing it into her hand. Maude inter- preted this as an act of sentiment—when _she told Madge about it—but it was merely Forsythe’s precaution with money. A slat- tern sometimes assisted in clearing away the soiled china or stone or whatever the heavy table service was and he feared she might find and keep that which was rightfully Maude’s. At peace with himself, Forsythe strolled briskly across Lake Street and made his way to his room. Night had fallen and, as usual the stairway was dark, for the land- lady was economical. this as he had traveled that route so long he knew every inch of it. Feeling his way along the equally’ dark upper hall he un- locked the door of his room, his hand auto- matically going to the switch, and the in- candescent glowed. And there seated comfortably in his rock- ing chair clad in a light silk kimono was: Marie Riggers! “ HAfello, old-timer,” she greeted. easily. | “Got a kiss for your honey?” ~ Forsythe could not reply. Why was she there? throwing herself at him. A horrible sus- picion caused cold sweat to break. out on his body. ‘She who was capable of anything had it in her power to ruin him utterly. _used to know in Unionville, a traveling He ‘did not mind : What did she intend to do? Not. for a moment did he think that she was - ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. ‘Bad boy to come home to his little girl so late,” she purred, rising. If he hadn’t dodged quickly she would have thrown her arms about him. “What do you want?” Forsythe croaked. “What are you doing here in my room? How did you find me?”- The questions fairly tumbled from his lips. “The last one first,” she retorted, her‘ face flushed. “I: found you by a lucky accident. I had to get away from down town for a while and a friend of mine I o ‘man named, Frost, recommended this place. I saw you when you went out yester- .day morning and when you came back. I knew you would be here at the same time to-night hecause you keep regular hours. “The answer to the other two questions Is now ready. ‘It’s the same for both—I came here to. make trouble for you. I’ve got you right where I want you now. Sup- pose I am ‘found in here, what will it mean to your J know the firm you are with. ‘And that isn’t all. Suppose I make a disturbance and the landlady comes up? She runs @ respectable place and she’ll throw you out. There. would be loud talk—I would attend to that—and an officer might drop in and the newspapers would have a piece, ‘* That would be bad enough, but suppose my husband should be watching me and: . should follow me up here—we room right below you. There would be a scene and a little later a suit for alienation of affections with plenty of witnesses for him because he would start a fight and the other roomers would come flocking in here and find me.” Perspiration covered Forsythe’s body, though he was shivering with cold. His knees wanted to bend. The whole structure of years was in peril. And: to-morrow he had an appointment with Henry Faxon! “ How much do you want?” he rasped at last, a curious sensation of ice rubbed up and down his spine, overcoming him. “Ten thousand dollars.” “You're crazy!” She flung herself on him, her arms about his. neck, her lips firm: against his. The suddenness of. the onslaught took him so unawares it was impossible to escape. cCOmiclbooks COLN