Argosy All-Story Weekly, November 13, 1920 — page 20: what you’re looking at

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

298 Her eyes flamed suddenly up at him. Her face flushed as it had that other time when she had talked of stocks and Jerry Brent. One bare shoulder lightly touched his coat, and her hand brushed his as she put it up to move a jeweled strap higher on her white skin. “It’s a great game!” said Masters. ‘I may take a try at it. I’ve found it a bit stupid around here of late.”’ “H-m! Stupid!” Her elusive mood changed. Her red mouth pouted-a question at him, Her eyes, allxgolden lights, im- plored the answer. By those two words she seemed to hedge them about with that enigmatic personality of hers, making everything on earth useless except them- selves. The momentary disgruntlement he had felt at her praise of Jerry was swept away. Something big and_ inarticulate struggled in his throat. Then the lights slipped out. The buzz of the room died to a softened whisper. The curtain rose on the second act of Leroy Gamble’s play. But under cover of the opening words from the stage Norine’s voice came softly at Masters’s shoulder. “Stupid?” she asked again; and the question was only a breath. “Not since I met you!” boyish tremble in his voice. Norine Lawton leaned back and turned to the stage. There was the faintest of ironical smiles on her lips, and her eyes were slightly narrowed in thoughtful con- centration. There was a EE CHAPTER IV. ETHICS, ERRY BRENT handed his brown derby J hat and yellow gloves to Betty Len- non’s English butler, allowed that func- tionary to relieve him of his brown over- coat, and stepped into the reception-room. Norine came very soon. “ Hello, Jerry!” she said. Her eyes lightened as she looked at him, and the clasp of her slim, warm hand was frankly friendly. : “T think we’ll take over Jim’s den,” she continued. ‘ Betty’s golfing and means to ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY, tea a number of people here later, so that is the only place we will be undisturbed.” ‘Your move, old girl!” said Jerry, and followed her, his appreciative eyes lingering on her dull-gold dress that was corded at the waist with a touch of brown. ‘There was something regal in the fine straight sweep of it from shoulder to ankle. “Very tobaccoey!” sniffed Norine, as’ they entered the den with its heavy leather chairs, its card-tables pushed against the wall, and its mahogany desk littered with several ash-trays. Norine took a chair be- side the desk and motioned Jerry to one near. But he was not so easily disposed of. ‘‘ [ haven’t seen you for three days, kid!” he said. ‘“ Let’s have—” She made a defensive movement as he dropped to the arm of her chair, encircling her shoulders. ‘“ Let’s not have—” she answered. ‘“ This is business, Jerry! Come!” His arms tightened and his face came nearer to hers, but, under the steady re- gard of her eyes, he stopped with only a kiss dropped on the fluffy top of her hair. Before seating himself he drew his chair near enough for him to lay his hand over hers. “You know, old girl,” he said, “ I’ve been thinking it’s about time you ditched living around with this bunch and took an apartment of your own. I’m sick of cut- ting in every time I want to see you.” Her slightly narrowed eyes questioned him. “ New York landlords aren’t present- ing favors this year, Jerry!” “Money, eh? I think that ‘ll be all right. Harrison came through pretty well, and we’ve got—the Orchid!”’ “Harrison?” she exclaimed. much?” ‘““T cleaned ten.” _“ Thousand?” ce Yes.”’ She put her free hand on his and leaned nearer him, all the gold lights in her eyes shining through. ‘What shall I do with it, sister?” “A check, I think! Is Harrison suspi- cious?” ‘* How comichook (E(0)