Argosy All-Story Weekly, June 13, 1925 — page 36: what you’re looking at

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

By JOSEPH MULVANEY ‘“a@ND I am to gather from this ex- traordinary conversation,” said Andrew Bennett, with ominous sarcasm, “that you intend to marry my daughter, regardless of my wishes?” He was the sort of chap who really talks that way. You must know the type--half a century resting its years unevenly on his shoulders; pink scalp gleaming softly beneath a sheer veil of white hair; florid, and spherically inclined; meticulously neat, nearly natty in raiment, with that suggestion of defiance that so often dis- tinguishes a widower after decades of servi- tude. . Of course, you recognize him. “Not at all—not at all!” protested the young man at whom the sarcasm was dl- rected. ‘‘ I merely said I couldn’t take ‘ No ’ for an answer. It’s quite simple. I won’t accept a negative, and I will marry Flor- ence; ergo, or whatever you call the stuff, you must advance an affirmative, and the problem’s solved, Q. E. D., or SOS, or what have you’ I always flunked in logic, but what I mean is clear, I’m sure.” “And what I mean is ‘ Clear out, ?m sure,” retorted Andrew Bennett, rising. “ Do you think I’m a fool?” * Not at all!” exclaimed the other. ‘“ Do you think I’m an alienist? The question is irrelevant, anyway. Let’s put it aside. My wants are few and well-defined. I simply seek paternal permission to plight my troth, to encourage this proposed alliance of youth and beauty—”’ 508 CloOOOlK