The Argosy for May — page 166: what you’re looking at

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

IT IS THE books to me. Alt} their little idiosyncra- sies of temperament—all their petty tricks. Why, I have never met one who could mystify me.” ‘Except this one? ”’ ‘Well, yes; except this one.” ‘And you are in love with her?” ‘ How did you guess it?” ‘Intuition, I suppose.” “I don’t mind owning that I am. However, | am not alone. I wish I were. E very man in the hotel is mad about her. She is young, beautiful, and wealthy. What more could one desire? ” ‘ Nothing,” replied Grant, “if all you say is true. But, old fellow, you've got to show me. I’ve heard of these para- gons of beauty and wealth before, and the description given me by the infatu- ated man was never a true likeness of the baffling original. No detective could have used it as a trustworthy aid in a search for the heroine.” ‘Wait until you see her,” said Hud- son. ‘ She’s out on the Walk now.” “Sorry ft must restrain my impa- tience,” rejoined Grant, with a good-na- tured smile. ‘She probably won’t pay any attention to me, either.” “IT guess you’re right.” “Well; I like that,” said Grant, what piqued. ‘ Have you registered yet? No? Come right up to the desk. “Then we will go up to your room.’ ‘Hudson, you’re too kind.” = Nothing of the sort. Come, we will go up and look things over.’ For a moment Hudson appeared em- barrassed, then added in a_ hesitating voice: ‘““T have engaged the room next hers for you.” “You did. How singular that you should chance to get it?” ‘Singular? Nothing of the sort. I had all kinds of trouble in getting it. You see, old fellow, I have been just a little bit selfish in inviting you down here. My rooms are on the next floor, and I thought that when you came down —er—the walls are very thin—and when we talked—er. You ‘see, her room is right next to yours, and—” ‘“ T understand,” broke in Grant. ‘‘ You intend that we shall have some confiden- tial chats concerning your appreciation 11 A some- MAN. 303 of her, charms. She, quite by accident, of course, will overhear us, and her esti- mation of you will go up ninety per cent.”’ : _“ My dear boy, you've clever you are.” At this point in the conversation they entered the elevator. As Grant removed his hat he looked up, and there beside struck it. How him stood one of the prettiest young ° women he had-ever seen. There was a certain modesty, combined with independence, in her bearing, that attracted him instantly, and when she raised her large brown eyes they seemed to go straight through him. Hudson greeted her warmly. “ How “did you enjoy your afternoon, Miss Wakefield?” he inquired politely. ‘Oh, immensely,” she replied, with a sweet smile. Grant pinched Hudson’s arm. “Oh, Miss Wakefield,” went on Hud- son, “may I present my friend, Mr. Grant, of New York?” Miss Wakefield recognized the intro- duction, with a- charming, but indifferent smile. Hudson gave Grant a significant look, as much as to say, ‘‘ How did that strike you?” but that gentleman merely re- turned the greeting perfunctorily, and then turned his head the other way. All three stepped out on the same floor. The young woman nodded to them, and walked rapidly down the hall. , Hudson and Grant strolled leisurely after her. “So that’s the wonderful creature?” exclaimed Grant. “How did you figure it out?’ asked Hudson in surprise. a “Oh, she’s the only one who came anywhere near your glowing descrip- tion,” answered Grant nonchalantly. Miss Wakefield had already disap- peared within her room as the two en- tered the adjoining one. ‘Well, here we are,” said Hudson. “T’ll stay down fot a while. It’s time to dress for dinner. You can go ahead while I talk; then we will go up to my room, and you can talk while I dress.” He leaned over to Grant, and added in a whisper: ‘She can hear every word. I will start the conversation now, and you must help me out.” (eO) HOOK (C@) S|