Argosy All-Story Weekly, July 1, 1922 — page 72: what you’re looking at

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

862 to handling, but I’m not that sort. I do know that I have been brought to your house greatly against my will, and that you yourself have me now, also against my will.” “That part of it—” the doctor began ‘‘So that you're a party to a rather se- rious crime, are you not?” “J am not! Before Heaven, I swear to you that—” ‘“‘A crime for which, I fancy, you may have to serve a very long and inconvenient sentence somewhere,” Miss Carson con- cluded, and held him fast with her unpleas- ant eye. The doctor seemed to crumple a little; his faint smile grew sad. “T see, of course. You do want money, Wéll, I don’t blame you, Miss Carson; you're fully entitled to compensation, and I shall insist that you have it. Not from myself, of course. I’m — wretchedly tied up in some matters. But I shall see to it!” “Tm not sure that it’s money that I want.” “No, I think that— much more than mere money—I need a home!” Myra said smoothly. “ J—I fear that I don’t quite get your meaning?” said Dr. Warner, and his eyes clouded. ‘ Er—an apartment? A—just what do you mean?”’ “ Chiefly that I like this place very much indeed. Where is the guest chamber—the nicest one?” ““ You—you’re—you’re not planning to remain dere?” the scientist gasped. 7 if am!’ “Oh, but—oh, my dear young lady! That’s impossible! That’s absolutely not to be thought of! That’s the most impos- sible idea in the world!” “Ts it really?” Myra asked, without great interest. ‘‘ Why?” “‘ Because — because — oh, because—”’ mouthed the doctor, and there was a hint of madness in his tone. “ I—I’m alone here with Hodge — the housekeeper, you know—Hodge!” ‘She looks as if she might be a very efficient chaperon,”’ Myra said unsmilingly. ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. “ She—yes, perhaps! But the idea will never do, Miss Carson—never!’’ cried Dr. Warner. “ You see—oh, you're joking, of course! You're such a sane, pleasant little person that—”’ “Tm not!” Miss Carson contradicted. “‘7’m the most unpleasant person you ever knew! Being downright unpleasant is the best thing 1 do just now, and Ili be much better at it when I’ve had more practice. You don’t believe that? I'll try to prove it! I refuse absolutely to leave this house until I’m thoroughly ready to leave!” ro But—” “Let me finish! In all probability you're physically capable of throwing me out bodily. It may be, if you insist upon it, that I shall leave without any such as- sistance. Only, if I do go away from here one mimute before it suits my sweet pleas- ure to go, [ll make for the nearest con- stable or sheriff and get one warrant for your arrest and another for Westford’s! Is that reasonably clear?” “Too—too clear!” the doctor said “Need anything more be said?” *‘ One—one thing, perhaps,”’ the scientist forced out. ‘‘ Should it — be possible to keep you here, about how long were you— were you thmking of honoring me with your presence, Miss Carson?” Myra, patting her hair back into shape, glanced up almost annoyedly and shrugged her shoulders. “Why, I can’t tell you anything definite about that now, of course. I shall have to see. I may leave to-morrow. I may stay a week—or a month, for that matter. If everything is as comfortable as it seems, I may even decide to remain permanently. By the way, shall I walk out, with the as- surance that you’ll put me out if I don’t?” “ {—wouldn’t do that,” breathed the doctor. And then he gathered his wavering forces and stared penetratmngly at Miss Carson. It was obvious that he sought at once to read her very soul and to implant therem the element of fear, which a strong, mature man surely should have found it easy enough to implant in the soul of a helpless young girl. comicloool C©