Argosy, Vol. 85, No. 3 — page 93: what you’re looking at

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

GLAD car almost into the arms of Mr. Walter Leeds, who was wonderfully got up in the very best that “ H. Anderson—Gentle- men’s Furnishings ” could produce. His ruddy face glowed above a pale- pink silk shirt which was adorned by a string tie of a deeper pink, whereon re- posed, as though but a transient guest, a large golden fly with ruby eyes. The rest of Mr. Leeds was encased in white duck trousers, black silk stockings and white canvas shoes. But—he thought proudly—he had nothing on Mildred! Mildred Race was small and thin, with the flatness of a board, and she wore a green silk sport suit, high white shoes and a Panama hat with a green band. Her blond hair.came down on each pink cheek’ in a flat ring, and in some mysterious fash- ion, remained there. Long pearl ear-rings dangled from the ears that were hidden somewhere behind the misplaced hair, and a pair of limp doeskin gloves hung in one little hand. Mildred Race was the living definition of ‘“ chicken,” “‘ queen,” “ baby-doll ” and ‘““some kid.”’ She almost bowled Walter Leeds over. ‘“‘ Gracious, Walt, you’re lookin’ grand!” she told him with a languishing glance from under the dark lashes. “ Get ’em to take my trunk up, will you? There’s a love. Here’s the check.” When they were seated in the. hack Walter procured she appeared eager for news of the old‘crowd, and apparently oblivious of her escort’s presence, pro- duced a vanity case as he talked and powdered her nose, moistening one finger and passing it over brows and lashes. ‘“Don’t look so fussed, Walt,” she gig- gled when she caught his stare of amaze- ment. ‘‘ Everybody in town does it these days. You see, we’re all so busy and so rushed we don’t get time of finish at home. Too bad you:never got to see me, Walt— it’s some little old town!” “Tt must be!” said Walter Leeds with a long breath. ‘I wish Lelia could have come with me. RAGS. 435 She shares my room at the boardin- house,” sighed Mildred. ‘‘ Gee, you ought to see her, Walt! She’s class, you bet. Dif- ferent fellow every night in the week, and clothes! My—that girl is clever. She makes all her own clothes and some of mine. She made this!” “She did!” Words failed him. ‘“ Are they wearing many—er—things as gay as that?” “Gay!” with fine scorn. “For the love of Pete! Gay! This is deep mourn- ing besides some of them. But the really swell ones cost too much money a yard, I couldn’t go the price. But wait until you see my summer furs! I bet every girl in Wedgely would faint if she knew the glad rags I’ve got in that little old trunk. Say, Walt, do they have those dancing contests out at the White City yet on Friday nights?” ‘“ Yes—want to go to-night? The bunch is going and we sort of hoped you’d want to.” ‘““Sure—I’ve been dancin’ every night in New York. Is that Steve Farrel over there, Walt?” ” cc Yes.”’ A tall, clean-cut young fellow in work- ing clothes passed them with a nod and a wave of his hand, and Mildred Race looked after him with wide eyes. “Don’t he look awful in that get-up! Is he still at the works, Walt?” ‘Yes, says he won’t quit until he knows it all, from the bottom up.” ‘“‘ Looks as if he’s liable to, then,” she giggled. ‘“‘He’s awful good lookin’ though.” ‘Yes, but our bunch has sort of let Steve alone since he began that sort of thing,” and Mr. Leeds flicked a bit of dust from his pink silk sleeve with a polished finger-nail. Mildred Race stared across the pretty street a long silent moment, her fingers absent-mindedly crumpling the doeskins. II. ‘““CAN’T pay you for these now, old top, but let ’em go on the bill, won’t comicloool C©