Argosy All-Story Weekly, May 3, 1924 — page 83: what you’re looking at

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

THE bling of the insurance already held on the Valkyrie. Having settled everything regarding the underwriters, he returned to his office, and wrote a reply to the request for a charter, as follows: To THE ANTIPODEAN MINING CoMPANy, London: Dear Sirs—N. L. and G. Gertridge accept your offer for a charter to carry mining ma- chinery to Australia, the run to be made in the swiftest possible time, in order to rush through your cargo for mining purposes. In case of a record run from Liverpool to Melbourne your company agree to pay a bonus of a hundred guineas for every day under seventy days occupied in the voyage. We will instruct our agents at Liverpool to put the Valkyrie, the flagship of our fleet, and the fastest ship in the world, at your disposal for this charter forthwith. (Signed) NATHANAEL GERTRIDGE, JR., Managing Director N. L. and G. Gertridge. Having despatched this communication, Nat closed his desk and went out with the air of a man who had done a fine stroke of business. CHAPTER XXIII. ‘““ HE’S COMING BACK TO ME.” HAT night Nat Gertridge came to the Williston home with a light heart. The Valkyrie, the disturber of peace, had been settled for. “ Thank God I can pay for my whims,” he exclaimed. ‘‘ Now she can talk about that accursed clipper to her heart's content. It'll worry me no longer.” To his surprise, Nat encountered Mary romping about the parlor, beside herself with joy. There was obviously some new and strange occurrence that had rendered her like a tom-boy just released from school. Her eyes were dancing, her cheeks flushed, and her spirits bubbling over. Nat regarded her with mingled admiration and wonder. “ What’s up?” Mary’s answer was to grasp the dignified young man about the waist, and whirl him around the room in a violent reel. ‘‘ This is simply terrible treatment for the ROARING FORTIES. 875 managing director of N. L. & G. Gertridge,” laughed Mary. “Swing me around again,” panted Nat, with delight. ‘ You can always do exactly what you want with me, Mary.” ‘“Oh, but wouldn’t you be a nice little doggie,” and away she burst again into another whirlwind reel. For a half hour Nat allowed her to gam- bol, and dance exultantly about the room in one continual and hilarious outburst. The stolid visitor entered into the pranks as fully as his important nature would allow. When at last Mary sank down panting, and exhausted, on a sofa, he inquired. ‘“* Pray what’s it all about?” ‘What do vou think!” “Don’t ask me.” “Well, can't you guess?” “You're so glad to see me.” ‘“‘ Of course not, you silly ass.”’ ‘“‘ All right then, what’s all the fireworks for?” ‘“‘T have a letter here,” said Mary glee- fully, holding it up in tantalizing manner. Nat reached for the letter, and it was snatched away again, and concealed in Mary’s waist. “You don’t know from whom it is?” “‘ Of course not. How on earth could I?” “Well, what do you think—Richard Dunbar is coming back!” “Coming back! That can't be. He’s due to sail for Melbourne on the Valkyrie.” ‘Oh, no, that’s where you’re much mis- taken.” ‘What makes you say so?” “ Because this message is from him.” Mary held up the letter with a flourish. “ That’s it, just arrived to-night. He savs he’s sailing on the next voyage of the Dreadnaught, and won’t we be proud to see him, though, after his wonderful vovage aboard the Valkyrie.” Mary paused. For once the Gertridge reserve had been broken down. Nat looked the picture of unutterable chagrin. “For gracious’ sake, whatever is the matter?” With a mighty effort Nat conquered his feelings, and replied. ‘“T suppose I’m to blame, Mary, but I must say I never could work up much en- 9 COMIC OO! (©