The Argosy, Vol. 76, No. 3 — page 240: what you’re looking at

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

710 begged to state, was already on her way to Chichester via Chicago; but she would, they were sure, insist on holding to her rights. They regretted that the arrange- ment was no longer agreeable to Mr. and Mrs. Bartlett; but they saw no possible course for them but to vacate and make ready for their tenant as per agreement at the end of the cur- rent week. During the next few days Miss Sally Reynolds drove through the streets of Chichester with her lips set and her brows. drawn together in a frown. “Prospects”? came and “ pros- pects’ went, and Sally showed what a “natural-born” real-estate agent she was by making two extremely good sales “with one hand tied be- hind her,” for all the time in the back of her mind she was struggling with the problem of Mrs. Charteris. Finally the last afternoon arrived, and Sally, faint yet pursuing, went to pay a “call of condolence” on young Mrs. Bartlett, prepared to eat humble pie or dirt to any extent the occasion required. She found that young matron in tears. ‘““Oh, Miss Reynolds,” she sobbed, “my little house will never seem the same again! I shall feel as if it had been quarantined for scarlet - fever and smallpox, and hydrophobia and Heaven knows what else!” “They've been having scarlet-fever in a house we've listed over on Phelps Avenue,” answered Sally ir- relevantly. ‘‘ The sign has been on the place for weeks and weeks now, and they say we might just as well give up all hope of selling it for at least a year.” She paused with bright- ening eyes. “ Mrs. Charteris comes to-morrow,” she said slowly, “but if I should find a way out just at the last minute—Mrs. Bartlett,’ she announced impressively, “you would have no earthly right to hold that woman to her bargain if she should protest — THE ARGOSY. about the. condition of your house,. for instance.” Then, with a sudden little chuckle at the sight of Mrs. Bartlett’s dazed face, she jumped to her feet and flew over to the writing- table. “ Quick, quick!” she cried. “ Make out a check for eight hundred dollars, payable to V. M. Charteris—I’ll send you back my commission — and sign these releases. Hurry do—l’ve seen another lucky sign!” Mrs. Bartlett obeyed mechanically. “Why, certainly—I— What do you mean? Here they are, Miss Reynolds. I wouldn’t touch a cent of her dis- gusting money, so Uncle John, bless his heart! is going to take me to Europe himself. Jack had to give in for once, as it was a question of saving uncle. But protest—about my house—what do you mean, Miss Rey- nolds? ” Sally stuffed the papers in her bag triumphantly. “I don’t dare to tell even you,’ she answered. “I’m so afraid somebody might stop me. It’s a last forlorn hope—so don’t count on it too much, and give me your key to hand over to her in case it falls through. And be out to-night, sure. I must go this minute. I have im- portant business on the West Side.” The next morning at nine-thirty she drew up before the little bunga- low just in time to meet Mrs. Ronald Charteris, whom she helped from her taxicab with surprising cordiality. “Is everything all ready for me?” cooed Mrs. Charteris, fixing her Ma- donnalike orbs upon Sally in a way which made that alert young woman almost doubt her own skepticism. “And you have the key for me?” Sally pulled herself together. Cer- ‘tainly Mr. Harvey Porter must know what he was talking about. “Oh, yes,” she returned briskly, “TI was awfully afraid Mrs. Bartlett wouldn't be able to get out on time! She’s not at all well yet, but her uncle is going to take her away for the winter.” COMicdoo S CO@