The Argosy, April 1916 — page 26: what you’re looking at

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

16 an officer in his duty. Can you not arrest her for that?” “No. How am I to prove to the judge that I was justified in asking her any ques- tions? She’s something of a tigress, that young woman. She’s no puling babe to wilt under an examination. Suppose she turns on me and tells the judge that the arrest was merely persecution because she refused to listen to me, not answer me. Without a witness her word is as good as mine before the city magistrate.” “Well—I'll go,” said Raymond reluctant- ly. “I'll be there. Ten, did you say? This morning, I suppose.” , “Ves, I shall not humiliate her by locking her up first. If the judge remands her that’s his business, not mine.” “Well—it’s a hard thing—to be com- pelled to go. But duty is duty, and If still believe I’m right. I feel assured that she could tell something about the robbery if she would.” By this time Nancy was weeping bitterly, and Mrs. Raymond had very nearly col- lapsed. Greenland kept his position at the window. There was a light footfall in the hall, and Miss Wayne came in, armed and weighted as when she stepped from the Genesee Street car. She had her umbrella, suitcase, and camera. The suitcase she. placed on the floor, and to .everybody’s amazement walked straight up to Yale. “Mr. Yale,” she said, ““we met last even- ing for the first time, and after dinner spent a few hours together. You talked like a man. Do you think I am connected with a gang of thieves?” “YT do not,” replied Yale, his heart all aflutter. “You are acquainted in Utica. I have no one here except my very good friends who have accused me of being a thief. I am in need of a friend. I have walked sev- eral miles this morning and I am hungry. I expected to return to this house to a merry wedding and a good breakfast. I return to be hustled out of it a prisoner of the law. I want you to take ‘this, and take me to a good hotel for breakfast. The detective will be my guest.” With a quick, impatient movement, she thrust a well filled purse into Yale’s hand. “But—but Miss Wayne,” he stammered. “T shall be pleased to do all that you re- quire, but I cannot accept your money.” “When you ask me to dinner I will let THE ARGOSY. you pay for it. I am asking you to break- fast now. Please oblige me.” : There was nothing else to do, and Yale thrust the purse into his pocket. The room was as silent as a sealed tomb. Mrs. Raymond was all down in a formless lump, with her eyes hidden by her hands. Greenland had turned and his eyes were bent on Yale with a stern, disapproving look. Nancy was sobbing violently. “Yale,” Greenland’s voice crashed on the stillness, “when you have performed your chivalric duties you will return here, I sup- pose.’’- ; “No,” said Yale. “I shall remain as closely as possible by Miss Wayne’s side till she is out of her trouble.” - ‘You may go to jail yourself, young man,’ thundered Raymond, stung again - into uncontrollable anger. “Come,” said Blake. “We have nothing further to do here.” Yale picked up Miss Wayne’s suitcase. Sims sped to the front door and opened it. The prisoner, the arresting officer, and the prisoner’s champion passed through. To their ears came a frantic cry: “Oh, Bev! Oh, Bev! Oh, Bev!” And then: ‘“My God!” in Greenland’s voice. And then the sound of a falling body. Miss Nancy had fainted once more, and with a vengeance. CHAPTER IX. NOT A WEDDING BREAKFAST, YALE realized that his position was al- most unprecedented, and when the strangely associated trio boarded a north- bound car for the down-town district he sank into a reverie in which violet eyes and alluring lips were intermixed with Green- land’s angry looks, and Mr. Raymond’s see Had he done the right thing, after all: : It was not like Yale to falter, and this mood quickly passed. By his side sat a girl who had, for no adequate .reason that Yale could discover, been accused by an infuriated old man of complicity in a uniqre robbery. For a mo- ment chivalry hel full sway and he thought only of the girl and the situation, forgetting her wondrous beauty. But who, tes ee could forget those eyes? Those Ips MICLOOOK C@