The Argosy, March 1907 — page 95: what you’re looking at

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

IN THE MOUTH OF THE GIFT-HORSE. Dave colored up confusedly. He had no desire to let the falling out become a matter of gossip about the Waldree, especially now that the only cause of difference between them having been re- moved he thought it more than likely that Hal would be willing to return. “ Hal? Oh, he’s gone away for a day or two,” he therefore responded evasively. “ Gone away ? Where? I saw him only last evening, and had quite a talk with him; it’s funny he didn’t say any- thing about it to me.” “Then you certainly ought not to ask me to tell you,” adjured Dave severely ; “since if he had wanted you to know he would undoubtediy have told you him- self.” And glad to have got out of the hole so easily, he waxed more than amiable as he turned the subject of conversation into other channels. After dinner, having shaken off the further companionship of young Green, he betook himself to the apartment of Mrs. Knipes, in order to pay that lady the forty dollars due her as the purchase- price of her piano-player; but that this was not the chief business of his call was evident from the increased animation of his manner the moment—the mistress of the house having been called out of the room—he and Ellen were left alone to- gether. And if he had acted the part of a tardy wooer before, he certainly made ful! amends by the ardor he displayed upon the present occasion. As Ellen: laughingly described it to jim afterward, it seemed to her as though ye must be under the stimulus of some earticularly potent kind of nerve-tonic, «© marked was the difference between iis new manner and that which had pre- viously characterized him when in her -ompany. He very speedily learned that the story «f her engagement to Fred Hermann was + fabrication out of whole cloth—an- other of Ted Green’s brilliant imagin- ings, in fact—and having satisfied him- self upon this point, he proceeded to plead his cause with so much fervor and passion that almost before she knew it the girl was swept off her feet and up into his arms. Not that she objected at all, for: as she shyly confessed to him some moments later, with her head blissfully reposing upon his shoulder, he could have had her long before if he had only had the courage to try his luck. Mrs. Knipes coming back, and having been told the wonderful news, accorded them her blessing. “Why, this getting engaged is the easiest thing on earth, once a man makes up his mind to it,” -reflected the happy fiancé, on his way homeward. ‘“ What a fool, what an arrant fool, I was not to take the plunge six months ago! ‘And now,” he continued more so- berly, “that I am practically one of the family, I must get this diamond business straightened out. Of course, Mr. Knipes is no more guilty than I am; but the fact must be made so plain that no one can dispute it. We must find the robber and show conclusively just how the crime was committed.” Having reached the Waldree and feel- ing himself inclined for bed by the nat- ural reaction from the excitement of his strenuous day, he turned toward the desk in order to get his key. But as he crossed. the floor a keen- eyed, smooth-shaven man who had been lounging to one side stepped quickly forward and intercepted him. “Mr. David Martin?” questioned the stranger, letting his hand fall lightly, as if by accident, upon Dave’s shoulder. “That is my name,” drawing back a little; ‘“ but.’ scanning the other’s coun- tenance with a perplexed frown, “I con- fess you have the advantage of me. I do not remember ever having met you before.” ‘“ There is nothing particularly strange in that.” The merest shadow of a grim smile flickered for a moment in the corners of the man’s mouth. With his free hand he threw back the lapel of his coat and displayed the badge of a detective-ser- geant, “1 am Price, of the Central Office, Mr. Martin, and I am very sorry to tell you” —his grasp shut down now viselike upon Dave’s shoulder—“ that I have a war- rant for your arrest.” ‘A warrant for my arrest!” gasped the young man. “Some new complica- tion about those infernal diamonds? ” (00) EOL MUCE <SiiGO