Argosy All-Story Weekly, October 7, 1922 — page 152: what you’re looking at

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

298 Not that I’m doing an anvil act. I hope you'll have a good time if you go.” I cuess I was a bit gigged. It’s tough to make plans for one of your beloved sex and then have something unexpected crab the stuff. And I had a little hunch this gentle- manly Glendon would stand the old up and up. “ He may be all right—and he may not!” I told myself. ‘‘ Like that oil can poor Gertie Hill fell for.” Every time I thought of Gertie I scorched up. She had been one of my best friends. A few months before she had gone goofy over a perfect slunge. She was a pretty wise kid, too, but this cake eater made her think he was the bee’s wig, and against all my advice she glued to the punk. Naturally something happened—and it was Gertie who was outa luck. And believe thou me, I had a hatpin sharpened for all wurps on the order of Gertie’s “ friend ”— and I knew Los Angeles was full of such greaseballs. ‘“‘ T’ll sure put the glimmers on Mr. Glen- don, for alongside Gertie Hill, ’Cilla is just a two month’s old in the cradle,” I decided. So I was on the job when the Nebraska kid’s new acquaintance wafted in that after- noon. The moment I got a good iook I figured I had him pegged. He didn’t cash in with me. ‘“‘ Give him an eyebrow on his upper lip and you have the twin brother of Gertie’s weasel,” I reflected. ‘‘ The trimmer and slicker type. Here’s where ’Cilla needs a friend, or I’m a terrible little liar!” You should have seen him. One of the Wallie boys. The patent leather hair, the “ snappy ” garb, and probably perfume on his coat. Handsome in a way, but—oh, my! “What a line he’ll pass her—and how she’ll eat it up!” was my bitter reflection. “ Maybe I’ll stick a pin in his balloon, though. We'll see, Mr. Slicker.” With plenty of purpose I quizzed ’Cilla in regard to her outing the next day. “ How do you like your new friend now, honey?” ‘“‘ He’s awfully nice! I do like him.” “Uh-huh! Putting it on for her,” 1 mutter. ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. “He acts so well-bred at aH times,” ’Cilla continued. ‘I suppose it’s to be ex- pected. He come from a fine New York family. He told me last night. His father is a wealthy man—a Wall Street broker. Almost a millionaire, he says.” “No! You don’t tell me!” I might have sounded sarcastic. ‘ What’s he doing away out in sunny Cal?” “His father and he disagreed a few months ago, and he left home to battle for himself. He’s trying to make his way in the movies.” “Qld stuff! Oh, how old!” I groaned secretly. Then, aloud: “In the movies, huh? Between. pictures now, I suppose?” ““He ain’t an actor, Jackie. Bertrand writes scenarios, or whatever you call them. But he has had hard luck selling them. He Says it’s so difficult for an outsider to break in,”’ ‘“‘ Scenarios, huh? One new line, any- way,” I thought. ‘“ His name is Bertrand, is it?” ‘‘ Bertrand Glendon.” “‘ He sure picked a pip. Bertie for short, I suppose?” “ What do you mean, Jackie? You sound sorta funny.” “Qh, nothing much, honey. When you going to see him again? This evening?” “Mercy, no! We ain’t such good friends as that, yet. Besides, Bertrand hasn’t much money, and he’s too proud to write home. I don’t expect to.see him before Sunday.” ‘“* A’m! Well, still think you’d care to go to Cinderella Saturday nighteand meet Sam Cooley? No harm in knowing several boys. Often a great help to a frail female.” “* Of course I'll go, as long as I promised.” Cilla didn’t seem frightfully enthused. If I hadn’t been so anxious to protect her in her innocence I would have dropped the matter. But this Glendon had to be blocked. I talked it over with Vic that night. “You better have Sam Cooley show Sat- urday,” I threatened. “I’m just praying he takes a big liking to ’Cilla, like he ought. That will make it easier when this other false alarm blows up with the usual bang.” “Tf she hasn’t any more brains than to comicboooks C©