Argosy All-Story Weekly, April 18, 1925 — page 93: what you’re looking at

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

SOFT MONEY. were cast away on a désert island and he chased her to the other side of the island, and when she came back turned her over to some cannibals who happened to be around, suggesting that they make a hearty meal of her. Just as they were cooking her, she woke up with a shriek. It was nearly dark. CHAPTER XIV. THE DANCE ON THE DURANIA. ER mother came in as she was dress- ing. She had been asleep in her deck chair for several hours and she chided Gertrude for remaining in the state- room upon such a lovely afternoon. They dressed leisurely and chatted cheerfuliy enough. “The captain says he is going to arrange a dance to-night, just to start the young folks off right on the voyage. You had better wear that new crimson gown.” “T don’t know why I should be inter- ested in the dance. I know nobody on board and I’m not likely to be asked to dance. Besides, after what happened to that young man because he made a casual remark to me, I shall be as popular as an ogre on this voyage. ‘‘ Mother, it was a terrible thing for you to do. I found out afterward that his hav- ing the next deck chair-to us was really a coincidence. Mr. Campbell selected the chairs, and he had not set eyes on either of us.” “Why did you not tell me, then? You said nothing about the deck chair inci- dent after we changed our locations.” “TI was ashamed to admit, even to you, that I was such a fool.” “Then you can’t blame me for speaking of the matter to the captain. And he will take care that you have partners for the dance.” “fT don’t see what the difference is be- tween men who are introduced by name by the captain or the purser, and those one meets casually on a ship. The officers do not know anything about these people.” “It’s a convention, and it must be ob- served.” 243 They didn’t talk any more, but Gertrude made up her mind she would draw the cap- tain to one side and ask him to release Mc- Garry without any reservations. ‘Even if he doesn’t think fit to answer my letter, 1 owe him that much reparation. But, afterward, I hope I never set eyes on him again in my life.” That was what she told herself as they went into dinner. Dinner was an unpleasant ordeal for her. She could not eat and she watched the skip- per gorge himself with a good deal of dis- gust. She was waiting for the moment when she could make her plea without auditors. When the group at the captain’s table ~ passed out of the dining saloon she tugged at his coat sleeve and the commander turned aside with her obligingly. “ Captain, I could not tell you without attracting too much attention at table, but we have been most unjust to Mr. Mc- Garry.” ‘* Indeed.” “Yes, sir, I misinterpreted a polite ex- pression which he made in the most per- functory way just as the voyage started. I was an idiot. And then when I found him sitting beside us I lost my head and ordered our chairs moved. that his friend ordered the chairs and he did not know anything about their location. It was purely an accident. I know this.” “That throws a different light on the matter.” ‘And not ten minutes before mother told you this dreadful tale I broke the heel of my shoe, and was falling downstairs when he caught me and saved me from injury. You can imagine the position it places me in to have him under arrest.” “Hum. Well, I sent Mr. Campbell to him to tell him that he need not apologize to-me, but that he owed one to you. He sent back word he preferred the solitude of his cabin to mingling with the passengers, and that he intended to remain there. Of course, I shall notify him he is free to come and go as he likes. And I’m very glad that there is no truth in the charges against him. You are a brave little girl to come out and tell me the facts. A lot of women would have let the poor chap rot rather than admit that they were wrong.” I found out afterward ® Gomichbooks ((0}