The Argosy, Vol. 90 No. 1 — page 170: what you’re looking at

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

164 and I shall present my apelogies in person at the earliest possible moment, if I may. Very sincerely and regretfully, . KEARN THODE. Willa mused so long that Welsh finally asked, with a deferential cough: ‘“Any answer, miss? The messenger is waiting to know.” ‘“ No—yes! Just a moment!” She seated herself at the desk and wrote rapidly: My DEAR Mr. THODE: I am deeply sorry to learn of your motor accident. Knights errant rode on chargers in the-old days, I believe, but the spirit re- mains the same, doesn’t it? I scorned it once to my shame, but it is a spirit for which I am now profoundly grateful. Come to me when you can; I shall be at home. Hasta la vista, WILLA MURDAUGH. “Well, for the love of Pete!” Vernon exploded, when the butler had withdrawn. “You're blushing like a June rose! Willa, are you holding out on us? Have you a steady you are keeping company with, un- beknownst?”’ - ‘Don’t be absurd, Vernon!” She dim- pled, in spite of herself. ‘“ That was only from Mr. Thode. He was going to call this afternoon with his sister, but he can’t. He’s had a slight motor accident.” “Then Starr must have met a steam- roller!”’ Vernon stopped and added in sud- den suspicion: “I say, you didn’t give me away? You didn’t mention—”’ “1?” Willa’s eyes widened demurely. “TI expressed polite regret, of course. What have I to do with motor accidents?” “Nothing, I hope, if you go slow,” Ver- non hesitated. ‘I don’t want to butt in, Willa, but I’d like to give you a hint, if you don’t mind. Gray cars are not invisible.” She had paused at the door. ‘“‘ Just what does that mean?” she de- manded. “Of course I know you and Starr Wiley followed me the other day, but how do you know where the car came from ?”’ ‘““T don’t,” retorted Vernon quickly. ‘“That’s your own affair, Willa, only I thought you ought to know that Art Jud- son and one or two others spoke of the nifty THE ARGOSY. little car they’d seen you about in in the last two or three days. I thought I had better tell you before Mason North gets hold of it and asks questions.” “Much obliged, Vernie, but if he does I sha’n’t answer them.” Willa smiled. “ Ill take you out some day, if you like. The little car is a wonder, and you and Starr Wiley would never in the world have been able to hang on the trail that time if I hadn’t meant you to! If any one asks you about the car, however, you never heard of it. Understand?”’ She turned lightly and ran from the room, leaving her cousin chuckling. The simple, formal little note was pressed tight- ly to her breast as a most passionate avowal might have been, and her eyes were like dew-drenched violets when she reachd her room. Thode had come at the moment of her unapprehended need, and he had fought for her once more, «asking no guerdon but the unalienable right of man to protect the woman of his world and kind from insult and contumely. And she? She must repay him by thwart- ing his ambition, dashing his hopes, bring- ing “to defeat his most cherished plan! What would he think of her when he learned the truth and recalled how she had accepted his confidence and given him in return only silence pregnant with deceit? Her head drooped and burning tears smarted in her eyes, but she held them back. grimly. If Willa Murdaugh was a self- pitying weakling, Gentleman Geoff’s Billie was not, and she would see the game through! Because of all that the old name had meant, she would not be a quitter, though her own happiness be forever lost. What was her happiness? she demanded wrathfully of herself. A side-bet, nothing more! She was out for bigger stakes than mere happiness, and she was playing to win. Wrapping herself in her fur coat, with a tiny, close-fitting cap upon her head, she slipped out of doors and around the corner to where, half-way through the block, Dan Morrissey waited with the gray car. It was commencing to snow; great, soft, feathery flakes which lighted upon her as softly as thistledown and melted, each in a oO Comicbooe S CO