Argosy All-Story Weekly, April 18, 1925 — page 69: what you’re looking at

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

THE DUKE OF DISDAIN, ‘Death-March of the Real Malefactors,’ if you get what I mean. With this short prelude, let us now eat, drink and be merry, after which we will discuss our impromptu honeymoon to—to Maine!” Dorothy Dale’s face was transfigured at mention of Hank’s home State. And in that super-gleam, as Hank divined, was something more profound than the mere justification of her fantastic hope and prophecy of the day before. Her impulsive hand-clasp across the table, and her warm fingers, latent with the miracle that was part of her birthright, clasped down on his own as she said: “Tf that’s so about Claude, let’s forget the rest of the horrid nightmare.” “With all my heart!” gulped Hank. “ Say, do you know, all this 7s a nightmare —these criminals, officials, and even my, headlines are all froth of unreality—for the real business of life is living. There’s a lot of things that I want to tell you—but they'll keep. Besides, I may want to tell some of them to men and never tell them to you. That topic, at present, is taboo! We're eloping. Not a bad idea, eh?” “T quite understand,” said she gently, and then, to the dismay of the man across from her, Miss Dale began to cry softly. “Oh, I must tell you,” she sobbed. “I really must. I knew that Claude couldn’t be guilty. I knew it, because—” ‘“Won’t it keep?” asked Hank somberly. “No-no! It won’t. I’ve been placed in such a false position—and so has he. Why, do you know, a whole year ago we motored with Mrs. Meredith up to a little town on the Maine coast—”’ Hank nodded. “ I knew it all the time,” said he, “‘ for that was where I first saw you and the same limousine I chased this morn- ing. There aren’t fifty cars of that make in this country.” She grew wide-eyed. “Oh! But you only know part of it— even Mrs. Meredith—” The waiter, by reéntering, saved Hank the rest of it for the time being. When that well-meaning old darky had again discreetly shuffled out of earshot, they ate and smiled and “ made believe.” At the meal’s end Hank remarked: 219 * Mr. Fitch was married up there, wasn’t he?” She leaned forward, an angelic smile over her lips. Her next words sent a. thrill through Hank Thomas like that the sob sisters had predicted for Claude Cutler Fitch, but he didn’t die for more than a minute. Then he resurrected, and aston- ished the old darky by declaring: ‘“Here’s five dollars, old timer. know.” ‘““Yassah, yassah! Thank you, kindly, gemmen and lady. May your married lives be long and happy, suh!” Hank groaned and got up. * Let’s go out to the train platform,” said he, ‘‘ but wait a minute!” He scurried for the proprietor. “You know how it is when folks elope, don’t you? Sometimes they have to get away in a hurry. Well, that was we and we're wingin’, yet. This was the fastest elopement you ever saw! And I just dis- covered that I’m shy on cash. Now, here’s my motorcycle.” He flashed his creden- tials. He showed the receipted bill for the repairs. “Kin you git along with fifty?” asked the hotel man. “Ample, old timer. I'll give you that fifty when we get back and soak up the usual forgiveness. Now, if any one asks about us, why, you saw us when the train for Downington pulled in. After that, you didn’t.” “My eyesight ain’t what it usta be,” drooled the old timer, “ but, boy, she’s a seraph from the sky!” “You oughta be arrested for libel,” glumly returned Hank. “ They lost the model for the seraphs when that little girl came down to earth.” Dorothy clung to his arm as they waited for the train. “Now, we’re still eloping,” said Hank, “for reasons that I will disclose later on. At present, I’m going to talk about Maine. You'll elope alone. I’m going to get on the train with you. I’m going to drop off the other side. Then I’m going to get on the train back to Downington, and see what kind of music Mr. Myers is at present re- hearsing. Since you know the Maine town You EOPMICLOOOKS (E@)