Argosy, Vol. 123, No. 1 — page 33: what you’re looking at

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

COMRADE EASY-MARK. “ Never heard of one, no—” ‘“‘ Zenia!” Veeder’s black eyes began to shine. ‘ Look here now—this, this Harri- son, let’s have the story. If—if he’s alive, if we could find him, do you think he would be—well, could you square yourself any way? How about him? | Ail the details now; remember, I’m your lawyer!” Piecemeal, with many rambling diver- sions, Zenia sketched the old .days of her married life and the character of her first and only husband. Veeder listened intent- ly. Finally he summed up: ‘““Tf you’re regularly married to an Amer- ican—this Harrison—still married and he’ll acknowledge you, why—that settles it, yeu are legally an American citizen. Zenia, if we could prove that we could beat this thing they’ve framed up on gis. They can yell till they’re blue in the face, we’ve got ‘em beat. That makes you an American, if you married one, and they can’t deport you. A wife takes the citizenship of her husband. Why, the Supreme Court of the United States will back us up in that. But, Zenia, this Harrison, will he go through—”’ “Waldo Harrison!” Zenia’s hearty laugh brought a sympathetic grin to Vee- der’s lips. “ You can manage him, eh?” “Tf Waldo Harrison’s alive I can manage him,” she said firmly. “Alive? Harry, he’s just got to he alive—we’ve got to find him—”’ 3 “Tf he’s alive we'll find him—”’ “Then leave it to me. Manage him? Huh! It may take a few tears and a little repentance, but he’ll do what I say. I know him like a book. He always did what I told him to. He will now.” VII. No need to tell here how Waldo Harrison was found. A national detective agency finally produced him and it cost Zenia half a year’s profits. But Waldo Harrison was worth that to her—and a great deal more! He came to the flat one afternoon, fresh from the train. She understood the detec- tives had located him somewhere south of the Rio Grande. He looked it! He wore a very new and badly fitting blue suit of ready-to-wear. It was a bright, poisonous blue and his yellow shoes were 23 bright and new and looked as if they pinched his feet. He had a new overcoat with a cheap fur collar, a new derby, but his hair needed trimming badly, and he wore a flaming-red bow tie. » ‘His manner was alternately aggressive and tremulous and the weak, gray eyes and slack mouth proved him the same old Waldo. Zenia was amazed at his ageing, at the thin neck so corded and grayish of skin; at his tremulous hands, blue from poor circulation. He smelled of cheap whisky and bad cigars. : Harry Veeder was to give them an hour together—an hour in which she could force a few tears and a mock repentance for her misdeeds. Then Veeder would appear in the réle of attorney and: peacemaker to counsel a loving and respectable old age spent m holy wedlock. When Veeder knocked he saw at a glance that all was well. Zenia was smiling and the litthe man who held her hand awkward- ly was complacent. He gave them noisy congratulations, reeking with pious maxims and cheap philosophy. He even wiped his eyes and blew his nose with a flourish in his best jury-addressing manner, They set- tled down a happy party. ‘“ Ah, thank God, Mrs. Harrison for this happy day,” Veeder sighed unctuously. ‘Your husband is indeed a man—a man to be proud of. Neo divorce, eh? No nasty scandals? You’ve been true to this won- derful woman—”’ ‘“No, sir, no divorce in my family,” Har- rison bragged. ‘“‘ I’ve always been true to Zenia. Mr. Veeder, I’ve been through hell for that woman. Yes, sir, through hell. But that’s all right now. I forgive the little woman like she forgives me. I'll stand by her. She’s my wife and I’m proud of her—” ~* Already Zenia was bored by him. Her thoughts wandered. So this was life—the history of twenty years! She smiled whim- sically. The circle was complete and here she was back in a flat beside her husband, little Waldo Harrison. Waldo the ineffect- ual, the boaster, the coward. Comrade Easy-Mark! Of course, when he had served his pur- pose Waldo could be put aside again. Vee- COniclboooks C@