Argosy, Vol. 122, No. 1 — page 115: what you’re looking at

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

VIALS OF HATE. “Well, you had best go and sleep,” Gail- lard stated, at the end. “ As for the Carley girl, I leave her in your hands.”’ ‘The deuce you do! I don’t want her.” ““ Neither do I. What would the good people across the bayou say if they beheld her about my door? Nothing good, be sure. But you and she, with yeur house- keeper to chaperon you, ought to have a very cheerful time.” “Yes; and everybody on the estate talk- ing scandal,” said Jerry. Gaillard shrugged his shoulders and laughed. “Then send her back to the Zorrillas.” “Those Barbanera devils are after her, she declares. I can’t just push her away.” Gaillard continued te laugh, as if the mat- ter were the greatest joke in the world. He announced that he had escaped from her snare once and shouldn’t give her chance to set another for his feet in his own house. No, she was Jerry’s charge. And a very nonplused, indignant youth returned to the cottage: Louis Gaillard had no more heart than old Hernando Zorrilla. In the house he cast himself inte a chair and brooded gloomily, until he fell asleep, sending a gentle snore throughout the reom. He slept there, undisturbed by the aged Frenchwoman, until late afternoen, when he awoke and perceived Anita Carley en- tering a door. “Well, how are you feeling?” he asked. ‘‘ Quite fresh and rested,” she replied. ‘“ And how do you like this cottage?” “It’s very comfortable, and the little flower-garden in front is very pretty.” ‘Dm glad you think so,” said he, with a sickly grin. “ For you’re to reside here until something can be arranged. Mr. Gail- lard says it wouldn’t be proper for you to visit in his house unattended by a duenna.”’ “But what, then, of this?” “This is quite proper, on the other hand.” “TI don’t see the difference,” she ex- claimed. “ Neither do I,” said Jerry. “ But you’re to be my guest if you remain on his estate.” “How extraordinary!”’ “Tsn’t it?” She gave him an intent look. 105 “You don’t appear overjoyed to have ‘me.”’ “Til try to bear with you,” said he in feeble tones. “The idea! Anyhow, I’m not going back to that house, nor into the hands of that terrible pair ef Cubans. Ill have to think about this; I can’t understand Mr. Gail- lard’s coolness.” “ And meanwhile?” ‘“ Meanwhile I’ll stay here. What else is there for me to do? I can’t live ameng the trees or subsist on roots.” ‘* Clothes?” “Tf the young ladies over there won’t send me my trunk, why, Mr. Jerry, you’ll have to find some mere clothes for me. -You can do it, I know. There’s a village and a store with goods.” ‘“ Haven’t you enough money to go back to New York?” he asked bluntly. “No. Besides, new that I’m on the right side of. the bayou, among friends, I den’t knew that I wish to return there just yet. If Mr. Gaillard instructed you to receive me as your guest, 1 don’t see that you have any discretion in the matter. We've been goed friends so far in our brief acquaint- ance; why shouldn’t we continued to be? And this old Frenchwoman is a dear. To- morrow I'll call and taik with Mr. Gaillard himself, who may have mistaken your words.”’ “Talk with him, by all means, Miss Anita.” “IT shall. And, now, aren’t you hungry?” “As a wolf.” “I think a meal is awaiting us in your pretty little dining-roem.” She paused to consider him. “ This is really the first good look I’ve had of you,” she remarked. “1 knew last night you were brave: now I know you're good-leoking, too.” “You'll not be hard to sit across the table from yourself,” said Jerry. “ But please don’t vamp me; and it would scarcely be worth your while, either. I’m but a clerk; small game.”’ ‘What makes you think I should?” she asked. “IT guess you could if you wanted te,” said he carelessly. “ Let’s hunt this supper now.” cComiclbooks.com