Argosy All-Story Weekly, June 27, 1925 — page 46: what you’re looking at

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

ass “ Loving greetings,” commented Monty mockingly. He was four years Temple’s junior, and did not look his years, “‘ The prodigal has returned, but I fail to see you run to fall on my neck.” “ Hardly,” articulated Temple uncom- fortably. “ Regardless of how I may feel, father’s wishes must be carried out.” “It must wrench your tender heart ter- ribly to hand yourself everything but my imposing heritage,” grinned Monty. “ Well, let’s have the agony over. Trot out the dot- ted line and the jack. Have you got it as I ordered—in ones?” “Ves, but see here,” expostulated Tem- ple, putting on his lofly chapeau manner, “IT must protest at this crazy stunt for making a fool of yourself and bringing no- toriety on our name—” ‘All right. No ten thousand aces, no waiver,” snapped Monty. “ As for bringing notoriety on our sacred name, I know where I can ungag a man who would—but for my keeping him quiet—broadcast an interest- ing earful about what he remembers when he was a bartender in New Ha—” “ All right, all right,” hastily interrupted Temple. “ Peck, would you and the off- cer kindly step out and leave us alone a few minutes?” The lawyer and the policeman withdrew after Monty had signed the waiver and a receipt for the ten thousand dollars. “Tt won't do you any good trying to drag up that old matter,” began Temple when the brothers were left together. ‘‘ No- body would believe you, what with your wild reputation.” ‘‘Tf I was that kind of brother, I would have uncorked the truth five years ago,” retorted Monty. “ Our family should have at least one son who will stand by in a pinch and not cry out, even if his bead is bloody but unbowed. I merely reminded you when you tned to ritz me.” “You were heading for expulsion, any- way, so it didn’t mean anything to you, whereas I had almost reached graduation,” muttered Temple. ‘‘I tried to tell father, but never quite got his attention.” “You got his money, which was more to the point,” Monty reminded him, pack- ing his bales of money into his suit case. ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. “‘T didn’t mind your playing up to him and cutting me while he was—here. But since he has gone, you never have invited me to come back to live in the old home. That hurt, Temple. So this money is going to talk and to call attention to your brotherly love. Even you can understand what I mean.” “Can’t we settle this?” asked Temple, anxiously. “ Only when you do the square thing. Good-by,” replied his brother, locking his grip and carrying it out. Pausing in the doorway, he added: “ You'll know where to find me if you want me. All newspapers will have stuff about us for the next few days at least.” Mr. Peck bowed him out. The special cop had been sent on his way, once the money had been delivered. Monty stepped into the corridor, alert for the commence- ment of something he sensed. The first door across the hallway on the gloomy way to the elevator was ajar. Through the opening could be seen two men standing in an unfurnished office, ap- parently looking it over with a view to Tenting. They discussed the needed repairs. From the direction of the elevator came a young woman, strikingly attired in an ensemble costume and summer furs. She had black hair and snapping black eyes which darted a beseeching glance at Monty. This entreating glance was reénforced by a strained smile. The custodian of the money bag stared right through her, with no answering expression. Suddenly the girl swayed, pressing one hand to her forehead while the other hand groped feebly against the corridor wall for support. She staggered on a pace, then gen- tly slumped to the floor just outside the apened door, incidentally blocking Monty Craig’s path. Although the young woman’s collapse was done so quietly that it attracted no attention of the regular tenants, it did not go unnoticed by the two prospective rent- ers in the vacant office. Uttering subdued, distressed sounds, they rushed out to the side of the girl. Both were robust enough looking, but they appeared unable to lift her unaided. EO 1A@OO () SS Co