Argosy, Vol. 122, No. 1 — page 150: what you’re looking at

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

140 “ Gratitude!” he snapped. “ I’m sick of this talk of gratitude. What’s gratitude got to do with it? This was business, business— can you understand that? It was business when I sald you this place—not friendship. I don’t want your damn thanks—” “Wait. Hold on, La Salle. Did Devree joke, or—”’ ‘“ Harvey, — never mind that. Why doubt. your friend!”’ In her despera- tion Jean tried to deafen him, her hands on his ears. Temple shook her free, gently. “Tl answer that,’ La Salle declared. “Why shouldn’t 1? I made a profit out of you, Harvey—yes. I told you so at the time. I made a damned handsome profit, I don’t deny it. And if I did you’re to blame for being so soft—so easy. Caveat emptor, Temple, you knew what that means? ‘ Let the buyer beware.’ You were a fool—a fool with his money. Naturally I saw a good thing—and used it. If you bought a house in a swamp it’s your ewn fault. I suggested a contract between us; you wouldn’t have it. I warned you—you wouldn’t listen!” “Then you mean it’s a | This house is a frand—my home? A miser- able, cheap swindle! And your friendship, that’s a swindle, like all the rest—” ‘““ My friendship!” La Salle’s lip lifted in @ mirthless snarl. “I never professed any friendship. You chose to tax me with that sentimental regard—”’ “Don’t listen. Oh, please, please, don’t listen,” Jeam. moaned. Temple answered with a strange ‘Listen? I’m not afraid to listen. pride. Go on, La Salle, tell it all. If this is the truth—” “Truth! It’s a lie—of a piece with all his lying, clumsy and inefficient.’ Diana Thawn, only witness to the scene that engrosed them, became in a second its chief actor. Her beauty, colored by the emotion that blazed within, had taken a radiance that thrilled them. There was a new music in her cleay, light voice, a music like the ring of steel. Pushing between Temple and La Salle, she dominated them all, sender, erect, regal. “All of you, listen. Whe is this man Now La Salle was stung to action, that we should fear him? Are we children, to shiver when he boasts! I’m not afraid to speak the truth. Harvey, he calls your home a swindle; he laughs to think your home a fraud. Swindle? Fraud? I tell you, Harvey Temple, your home is the loveliest thing I know; a sanctuary. Your home is stronger than the greatest fortress, and nothing can corrupt it. Your home is neither house nor land, fraud deed, nor crumbling wall. That cracking pillar is not your home, ner that warped veneer. Your home is. Jean and your baby, and the love they have brought you. For every lie and cheat this man has sold you it has gained in beauty a hundredfold. Every deceit he has practised and thought himself so cunning and powerful has brought from those who make your home a new sacrifice to build it stronger and fimer. Are we fools to notice the beast of a common swindler—” | FinalHy La Salle was roused. ‘“ By God, my girl, youll go too far,” he warned. Then Diana turned on him, and the fire in her wide, blue eyes made him gasp. “Tt go too far?” she questioned. “I fear your? You thmk I do? I did fear you, La Salle. This afternoon I was afraid. I have been afraid a long time. I thought you had the power to make oer break our happiness. Yes, I thought that! I tell you I believed so thoroughly that to-night I was ready to give myself up to you. I was ready to marry you. thing you’ve done to-night, the boasts you’ve made, opened my eyes to what you are. Power? You have no power at all. To-day you boasted to me that you started as nobody and have come a long, long way. A le. You still are nobody—and you are gomg nowhere. ‘What have you dome? Show me one: thmg you have done—one lasting thing! You built this house of frand, but in it is’ something strong and splendid that will last when you are forgotten. You covered this But those you swindled made of them homes. ‘Trade in trickery all you please, never till the end of time will you have _ the money or the power to destroy the thing cComiclbooks.com