Argosy All-Story Weekly, November 13, 1920 — page 21: what you’re looking at

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

THE ORCHID HUNTRESS. ‘“ Haven’t seen him. But I pulled a long line to that fellow Fathom about how I’d lost in United myself.”’ “‘ Rather clever. Struthers and Harrison golf together a good bit.” ' Jerry drew nearer to the desk, reached for a pen, and spread out his check-book. There was a moment’s silence while Norine sat watching his bent head, his hand mov- ing across the paper. He was replacing the book in his pocket when she spoke. “Know anything about this Steel the men are discussing?” ‘“‘ Pretty sure dope, I gather!” ‘“‘T guessed so, but I wanted your opinion first.” ‘““Have you money to lay on it, kid?” “Hardly!” she shrugged. “ But Ran- field Masters might—” “TI don’t get you.” ‘‘ Some orchids are larger than others,”’ said Norine deliberately. ‘‘ If I were ob- serving one, I would be glad to have it as full-blown as possible before I—plucked.”’ ‘“Come to the surface, old girl! You’re too deep for me. You mean you want to present a block of Steel to—”’ “Tt amounts to that, Jerry—”’ ce But—”’’ “As I said, full-blown! And, more than that, confidence! He’s cautious, I think. Not much of the gambler instinct. But, one successful coup—”’ “Yowre a genius, old girl! Say, you may as well buckle under. I’ve got to kiss you some day!” , “No buckling for Norine Lawton, Jer- ry! The only thing I’ve ever buckled to was poverty, and that’s—over—” She said the last word with a relieved sigh as of one who comes suddenly from an underground passage into clean open air. Jerry leaned slightly away again, though his hand tight- ened on hers. ‘Have you made any plans?” he asked. “ Betty’s having a more or less family dinner to-morrow night. two of you. When the smokes come on and the ladies go out—your opportunity, ‘Rather too easy to stand up for a win- ner, kid! But it’s a good hunch. These highbrows may be getting suspicious of We'll include the ~ 299 ‘“Pve heard one or two things, Jerry!” ““H-m! Well, this ‘ll square me. What are you doing to-night?” ‘Theater. Betty’s party.” ‘And the Orchid— Yes.” ‘“You’ve got him going, eh, old girl?” ‘* Rather.” ‘By George! You’re a winner! hanged 1i ( don’t think we can clean up the earth, you and I! I’ve thought of some one like you—some one with your delicacy of touch! You've got a system that beats girls like Lola about the way this little game of mine beats burglary!”’ ““T saw Lola at the theater the other night.” : “Who with?” * Puffy, dark man.” ‘Sims, I suppose. Mv broker, you know.” Veg?” . “By the way! Those pictures. Bald- win thinks—” “T told you I don’t like that, Jerry. tie” : “Lord! It’s safe. Just a word dropped here and there, you know. Isn’t there some fellow that wants to replace part of the money he’s just earned with an old mas- ter.” ‘“Yes—I met the Burgoynes—Middle West—I—”’ “Take her to luncheon and charge it to the firm.” ‘““Well—this once. But Norine doesn’t propose to lose her present undeserved re- - spectability before—”’ ‘* Before what, old girl?” ‘“ Before Norine has landed a good many —Callots and Paquins and—”’ ‘“ An apartment on. Riverside Drive, with a country home wherever you want it, kid!” Jerry’s arm was about her shoulders again, his face close to hers. ‘‘ Cars—one of your own if you like—all the style you want to carry! Jl fall for it, girl! I’m not a tightwad!” : She turned, her eyes very close to his and gleaming with excitement’ at the pic- ture he and she had made. ‘“No, Jerry, you’re not a tightwad. But —not yet!” Her upraised hand caught the Tl be © ON S) nNicghboo (@) (E@) (E(0) mn