Argosy All-Story Weekly, April 18, 1925 — page 16: what you’re looking at

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

166 beside her, and Cornelia, wild-eyed, faced her mother. “T—I can’t bear it—not the actual thing in—in words!” she choked. “ I can’t listen to it! I—1I’m not strong enough to —to bear it! Mother, you—let him tell you!” She extended the instrument. — ‘““ Urrrr!”? commented Mrs. Stone, in sub- stance, as she snatched it. ‘“ Hello!” CHAPTER II. SINISTER FACTS. just one moment, “ ‘There ES, madam; please,” said ‘Towner. you are!” “Mrs. Ronalds?” queried the light, pleas- ing voice of a young man. “Mrs. Stone!” that lady corrected. *Who’s this?” “Oh, hello, Mrs. Stone!” the voice said cheerily. ‘‘ This is Harry Star.” * Oh?” said Cornelia’s mother, and for a moment she really smiled. ‘“‘ How are you, Harry?” “ Fine, thanks. Neville asked me to call you up late to-day.” “Aha?” said Mrs. Stone, and ceased smiling suddenly. ‘ Just where is Neville now?” “Why, he’s gone duck shooting, some- where down on Long Island. You see, he left in a terrible rush yesterday afternoon; I think he was going otit to Pete Weems’s place for the night, but he met Mort Lester and that crowd and changed his plans on the spot. And—oh, he asked me not to call up and tell you till about five o’clock to-day, because his mother worries so when he’s anywhere near a gun.” “Aha?” said Mrs. Stone once more. “Say, are you sure he’s duck shooting?” * Young Mr. Star laughed outright. “Gosh, no!” he cried in his hearty way. “ Nev changes his mind so often that he may be up in an airship or down a coal mine by this time. But he borrowed my boots and coat and both my shotguns, so in all probability you’ll be having wild duck for dinner pretty soon.” “Very likely—very likely,’ Neville’s ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. grandmother mused, and sighed relievedly. “You don’t happen to know when our little wanderer contemplates returning to New York?” : “No, I don’t, Mrs. Stone. To-morrow or the day after, I believe. They have to motor out to the Hamptons when they’ve finished shooting and hook over the new house Mort’s father’s building: Oh, he'll be home to-morrow, I imagine. Youw’re not worried about him?” ‘Not now,” said Mrs. Stone. you for calling, Harry.” And then she turned and, hands on her knees, considered her aspen daughter with a scowl. “You see!” she snorted. ‘‘ You’ve done it again—worked up a scare out of abso- lutely nothing—and that time, by crickey! you had me as near the raving stage as you were yourself! He isn’t married, Cornelia; he’s shooting ducks!” “Are we—sure of that?” “We are, unless Harry’s turned into a liar, and he hasn’t. He’s the cleanest boy I ever knew!” * Except Neville, of course!” breathed Neville’s mother. “Oh, I Anew my little boy wouldn’t lie!” One great, trembling sigh of terrific re- lief escaped her. Mrs. Stone grunted wearily. : “Well, Tl say one thing for you, Cor- nelia,” she admitted. ‘‘ You made a thun- “Thank dering mistake in not bringing two girls, instead of a girl and a boy. . You never kicked up any of these disturbances over Dora.” “Oh, but Dora was always so different, mother,” Mrs. Ronalds replied impatiently. “She was so sober and steady, even as a little child. Now she’s married to Tom, and all settled down and—butt Neville’s al- ways been so temperamental.” Mrs. Stone nodded grimly. “Tl say he has! Cornelia, listen to me. That kid’s coming home to-morrow or day after, and when he gets here I’m going to have a private chat with him!”’ “No!” her daughter said quickly. “You'll be rough with him.” ““T shan’t be any rougher than the occa- sion demands, but we’ll have an end of this NOOLKS CEOLMMUC (CE)