Argosy All-Story Weekly, 4 February 1922 — page 151: what you’re looking at

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

‘BY WAY OF A CHAPERON. | A61 : “ Yes — no — certainly,” stumbled Jac- queline in sudden confusion. ‘‘ You see,” she hurried on, “ I haven’t had anything to eat since that early breakfast and I’m al- most starved.” ‘“‘I wanted to suggest luncheon, but—” The young man paused, embarrassed. “ Being a married woman it ought to be perfectly proper,” thought Jacqueline to herself. Aloud she said: “‘ I’m too far gone to bother about who suggests it. I’ve just got to eat or there won’t be anything left of me to reach Boston.” During the meal Jacqueline’s thoughts ran comfortably along the line of her pres- ent adventure. “T never, never would have dreamed it possible to have such a cozy, friendly meal with a perfect stranger. It is of course the chaperonage of Robert.” As they returned to their seats she ex- claimed: ‘‘ Now I feel able to cope with anything.” But she soon realized that a problem was waiting for her that took more than a hearty meal to solve. ae “Tt’s all very nice to have a nice, con- venient husband like Robert—in theory,” she mused as the train neared Boston; “ but when it comes to the fact of his meet- ing me—” The train was slowing down as it neared the station. . “Here we are,” said her companion, “ T want to thank you for your kindness in looking out for me and—good-by,” Jac- queline held out a friendly hand. “ Naturally I will see you safely with your husband.” He ignored her out- stretched hand. Jacqueline offered a few feeble protests, though she knew she was wasting time. Together they walked along the platform to the station. They neared the crowd of eager watchers searching out friends among the incoming passengers. Jacqueline failed to notice the quick glance of recognition between her es- cort and a man in the crowd. She never suspected that he followed them so closely he missed hardly a word of what they said. For a moment she forgot about the hus- hand supposed to be eagerly waiting for her. She was brought back to the difficul- ties of her situation by the man at her side inquiring: “Do you see Mr. Livingston anywhere?” Jacqueline jumped. Then glanced hur-” riedly around. “‘ I—he—doesn’t seem to be anywhere,” she replied nervously. “Now don’t worry. Don’t worry for a minute,” assuringly. “ A train arriving late always causes mix-ups.” “There may have been some mistake,” mused Jacqueline. “We'll just sit down and wait calmly till Mr. Livingston arrives.” “Oh,” gasped Jacqueline, “ suppose he shouldn’t come?” “You’re just nervous. One always thinks up ninety-nine things that might happen, and it’s always the hundredth that doesn’t amount to anything.” Jacqueline went over to the nearest bench and sank down limply. The man followed with her bag and his suit case. She felt the despair of one who might be obliged to end her days in a railway sta- tion. For some time she listened with nervous inattention to the man’s light conversation. Then she broke in suddenly, determinedly: “Tt’s ridiculous—my wasting your time here. Your friends will wonder what has become of you.” “ There’s no one sitting on the doorstep for me. Don’t worry on my account.” “But I can wait just as well alone: it really isn’t late, you know. I must insist.” Jacqueline was becoming desperate. He did not bother to contradict, but talked pleasantly and impersonally on. Ten minute’ passed. “ We—we—can’t sit here indefinitely,” said Jacqueline. “I don’t mind,” replied the man cheer- fully. Five minutes later Jacqueline jumped to her feet in great excitement. “How stupid I have been. If you will take me to a taxi and see me safely inside, I won’t need to bother you further.” “I will gladly see you to a taxi and to your home. I am going to see you safely in the hands of your husband.” The man seemed equally determined. | comicbooks.co —