The Argosy, April 1916 — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

2 to study the new arrival, who in a moment became the stranger within the gates. She was tall, and of fine form and car- riage. Her hair glowed in the light of the setting sun, and to Greenland it was a beau- tiful auburn, while to Yale, who had never been engaged or even in love, it was a most exquisite red. As a matter of fact, or poesy, one who writes feelingly upon such things would pronounce the great mass of hair atop of a well-shaped head a golden brown, and make it rhyme with royal crown, or some such foolishness. This well-dressed ruddy mass was but slightly concealed by a round something that was probably a hat, but which might masquerade under the title of toque, or turban, or whatsoever. It is the immediate impression that she created in the minds of George Greenland and Kenneth Yale that is here being re- corded, and as one was to be married the next morning to Nancy Raymond, with whom he was very much in love, and the other was stricken suddenly foolish with admiration at the beauty of the approach- ing visitor, nobody is going to try to make their impressions appear sane. The visitor was not more than nineteen, nor much less. She carried in her right hand a well-traveled suitcase, in her left a tightly rolled umbrella, and from her shoul- der, suspended by a strap, there hung a camera. It was amazing how well she fitted into the picture. From the gate to Raymond’s house a marble tessellated walk led straight to the great marble steps, the cost of which might have built a cottage. On either side stretched a lawn of velvet green, orna- mental trees and shrubs, and on one side a fountain sent jets of water into the air from reeds in the mouths of nymphs, and on the other a great garden of autumn flowers gave color to the scene. “T’ll bet her name is Aurora,” Greenland. “T don’t care a hang what her name is,”’ said Yale. ‘‘She zs Aurora.” They were soon to have their curiosity satisfied. From the massive front door there came a swish of skirts, the tap of - Jight, small shoes on the marble porch, and - the figure of a finely formed and very pretty girl went flying down to. meet the visitor. “Beverly Wayne, by all that’s great and remarked THE ARGOSY. good!” exclaimed Miss Nancy Raymond, clasping her friend with both arms and kissing her. “Yum!” murmured Greenland. “Shut up,” said Yale. ‘Those same lips have probably kissed yours often enough, and after eight o’clock to-morrow will be all yours. J’m the one who is suffering.” “Vou! ) They stopped chaffing and listened. “T was so afraid you did not get my in- vitation,”” Miss Raymond was saying. “Well, your fear was justified. What in- vitation?” “Why, you goose, to my wedding to- morrow morning, of course.” “Oh,” replied Miss Wayne in a matter- of-fact way. “I suppose there is an ‘of course’ to it. But you see, I have not been home in three months. I don’t suppose you sent out your invitations three months ago.”’ ‘“T wasn’t even engaged three months ago.” “Well, you are taking chances! I’d have to know a man about ten years before I’d stick my third finger out for a metal hoop that represents an iron collar around your neck.” ‘‘What an absurd thing you are! It does no such thing.” “Tt must. I read it in an ancient book.” “Lord deliver us from battle, murder, sudden death and red-headed scoffers,” said - Kenneth Yale. ‘Does the euphonious name, Beverly Wayne, bring anything to your mind, Greenland?”’ “Yes, I have heard of Beverly Wayne. | She was sort of chum to Nance at Smith’s College. I’ve heard Nance speak of her. From Nance’s panegyrics I gather that Miss Wayne is a rather eccentric character, who gets away with her eccentricities on ac- count of the hypnotic effect she has on other people. Lives with an old aunt who is also eccentric, besides having the additional merit of being pretty well fixed in shekels and some chronic ailment that has threat- ened to deprive her of life a dozen times.” By this time the strenuous greeting be- tween the two girls had simmered down to reasonable warmth, Miss Raymond had taken the suitcase from her visitor, and now the two girls, arm in arm, tripped lightly and merrily up the steps. ‘Come and meet my to-morrow’s hus- band,” said Miss Raymond. “You speak as though you had them in MICLOOOK (©