Argosy, Vol. 122, No. 1 — page 145: what you’re looking at

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

THE HOUSE Diana might say or do something to drive La Salle away—and yet almost hoping she would give him the answer he deserved— her father stared miserably at the floor and rubbed his nose furiously. “Well?” La Salle demanded. “T am thinking over your extraordinary statements. I will answer you—’’. “Then I know what your answer will be.” He smiled. “Indeed!” “Yes, I know. Remember, Diana, how I first selected you to do my work? Picked you out af an office filled with women— picked you at first sight? I made no mis- take then. I knew what I wanted. And, you will remember, we did not haggle over terms. I’ve seen it again to-day, that you are the woman I must have. You wonder why I’m so sure of you. I tell you it’s be- cause, to-day, nothing can beat me, noth- ing! Luck, that’s it.: I give luck credit. To-day is my day to win. First the trial, I beat that. Then Gloria, that empty-headed drag on me, she’ 5 gone, And now my way is clear to you— | _ “You are very sure—”’ _ “Why, it’s common sense, nothing more. Accept, and I make you both rich—” ‘“‘ And if I refuse, you ruin us?”’ “ Ah, well, if you refuse—of course I would scarcely feel called on to go ahead with the Manor business. You put it crude- ly, but—well—” “ Diana!” Thawn rolled fearful eyes toward her. “ She won’t refuse it,” La Salle chuckled. “T tell you I can’t lose to-day. Not with my luck—” “You must give me a little time.” Diana’s eyes wavered. For the first time they hesitated to meet La Salle’s glance. “ J must—think this over,’ she temporized. “Certainly,” he agreed promptly. “Think it over. Take until to-night. IH be back then for my answer—though I know it now! I’m not superstitious, but I play my big hunches. This is one. To-day is my big day—1—can’t—lose!”’ He snatched up hat and coat. At the door he turned back a moment. ‘‘ Remem- ber, take me, and you travel with me, a long, long way. Refuse, and—” He OF FRAUD. 135 laughed significantly and slammed the door. They heard the indecent song of the motor siren dwindling to silence. | _ Thawn avoided his daughter’s eye, but he miserably lingered by her side, hoping to know her mind. He had a desire to com- fort her in some way—even to counsel’ her to refuse La Salle’s brutally frank offer, and at the same time he feared she would do that very thing. He did not know how to act or what to say. As for Diana, she was deeply concerned with her own problem. Finally she ques- tioned her father thoughtfully: “He can ruin us, can’t hep” ‘““He can,” Thawn groaned. “He can- smash us—flat—absolutely. There would be nothing left—except disgrace.” “Yes,” she sighed, “ you’re right. After all, comfort, reputation, friends—those things mean a lot to us, don’t they?” “Well, I don’t care for the—the other thing, that’s flat.” Thawn laughed hysteri- cally. ‘‘ Why should I?” he burst out with sudden irritation, “Why? I didn’t wish myself into this world. I hadn’t any say about the things I was taught to like. I didn’t have anything to say about any of it—not one damned word. It was all wished onto me. Can I help it if I feel as I do? Since I’m here and I have to keep on living I’m going to want those things to make me happy! Is it my fault?” Diana looked puzzled. ‘I don’t know,” she admitted. ‘ All I can see is that we both care a lot for the things we have been used to. That’s fact. The rest is—theory. We've got to face the facts—” : She turned away, starting up the stair. “Diana!” Thawn could not help the question. “ You—what are you going to— to answer him?” She shook her head, managing a kindly smile. “I wish I knew!” ‘““But—but listen!” Thawn followed hastily after her. His trembling hand caught her sleeve. He raised his eyes to hers, a glance of apprehension. “ He can smash us, I tell you! He’s got the power. You—won’t—surely you wouldn’t let—that His daughter merely shook her head. “Tl have to think that out,” she insisted. cComiclbooks.com