Argosy All-Story Weekly, October 7, 1922 — page 86: what you’re looking at

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

232 shadow of passion as pools reflecting the sky. He bit his lip in chagrin. _ As they came out of the theater he care- lessly suggested a bite at the Forty-Four Club. “Let’s!” said Diantha. ‘I don’t need a bite, but I’m pining to dance!” The restaurant of restaurants was filled with the usual brilliant crowd. They were received with bows and flourishes and con- ducted to a point of vantage. Up and down the line eyes rolled askance at the newcomers with a sort of pleased malice. Colonel Flowerday’s ‘‘ ward ” with Kirwan Sutliffe! That young man was a notorious thorn in the sides of husbands and guardians. It was sufficient. Sutliffe, who knew per- fectly well what they were thinking and saying, was not ill-pleased by it, for he held that a thing you are credjted with having won is more than half won. He ordered a light supper, and they got up to dance. The music was as seductive and exhilarating as champagne. Diantha yielded herself to its strains with a sigh of bliss. Sutliffe was freshly enraptured by the burden of sweetness within his arm. “Surely, surely, she must feel it now!” he thought. But before they had made half a circuit of the room Diantha said in the most matter-of-fact way: “Don’t hold me so tight.” “J must!” he whispered. you go.” “Tf you don’t loosen me I’ll stand stock still!” she warned. By way of answer he held her closer. Diantha planted her two little feet, and Sutliffe stumbled. He, the best dancer in the room. In order to avoid a worse faux pas, he had to release her, and they con- tinued with the loss of only a single step, Sutliffe fuming, Diantha serene. When they returned to their table he said sorely: ‘I wonder you dance with me at all if I seem like a leper to you.” “Vou don’t seem like a leper,” said Di- antha. ‘‘ But I don’t choose to dance with a boa-constrictor!”’ Sutliffe sulked. Dancing under the con- * T’ll never let ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. ditions that she laid down had no charms for him. And the precious moments were slipping by. He suspected if he took her home he would fare no better than he had before they left home. Somehow he had to destroy that crystal clear quality in her that was always rebuking him. The sight of a gay party disappearing through the little passage to the rear gave him an idea. ““T see Dan Tanner’s taking his guests upstairs,” he said carelessly. ‘“‘'What’s upstairs?” queried Diantha. “* Oh, don’t you know?” 6¢ No.” He assumed an air of compunction. ** Oh, nothing much.” ‘“‘What’s upstairs?” said Diantha. insist on knowing.” “ Nothing that would Gambling.” ‘“‘ Gambling?” she echoed. A little glint appeared in her eyes. “I’m terribly inter- ested in gambling.” ‘What do you know about it?” “Nothing. I want to know. I always loved to get hold of a book that had scenes of gambling in it. I’d read those parts over and over. But books are so unsatis- factory. They leave out what you want to know. I’d love to see some gambling!” Sutliffe’s face turned smug. He thought: “Have I stumbled on her weak point?” Out loud he said with a virtuous air: “If that’s the way you feel you’d better keep away from it.” “No,” she said, half teasing, half in ear- nest, “ if I brood on it I shall certainly be- come worse. Let me see how little there is in it, and it will cure me.” “IT couldn’t take you upstairs,” Sutliffe said. ‘‘ What would the colonel say?” “We need only stay a few minutes,” said Diantha. “ If he should ask me‘about it, I'll tell him I insisted on going. That will let you out, won’t it?” Sutliffe still refused, but only for the purpose of making her more eager. Diantha jumped up. “Oh, come on,” she said. “I’ve got to go!” Sutliffe rose with a shrug, as much as to call the heavens to witness it was not his fault. He followed her out, smiling behind his hand. call | interest you. comiclbooolx C©