Adventure, February 1917 — page 196: what you’re looking at

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

194 A faint stir went through the bystanders! Duke Bartlett was instant in perceiving that, except for his stanch- ally, Cactus Kimball, the current of public opinion was setting against him. He knew that if he were to carry out his purpose in regard to the brother of the girl he had ruined and then heartlessly abandoned, he must make further effort to avert the unfavorable judgment of his fellows. He turned his sardonic glance toward Utah. “That yelping coyote there,” he began. Seu exclaimed Cactus Kimball pierc- ingly. The gunman snapped his eyes back on Nick Ramsay. But he was too late! In the instant that Duke’s head had been turned away, Nick’s eyes had flickered urgently to. Kitty Courtney’s, then to the “table beside her where his gun lay in harm- less isolation. Not very long before, but in a very differ- ent life, a girl—not called Kitty Courtney then—had often shot a basket-ball twenty yards into an iron-rimmed net for a goal. Now the wounded boy on the floor lay not twenty feet away! Kitty’s hand closed like lightning over the butt of the heavy . revolver. Sheer from the leather sheath she plucked the gun. Butt-end first it came like a bullet to Nick Ramsay’s hand. Duke’s eyes had wandered only for an instant. Even as Kitty made her throw, he swung on Nick. In one motion, the boy caught and fired his gun. The weapons of the two men spouted fire together. . Duke’s bullet fanned Nick’s cheek. But the paralyzing shock of a blow in the abdomen fairly rocked Duke Bartlett as he stood. His body jerked like an over- stretched wire. Twice he fired again, but the bullets only buried themselves in the ceiling. : The man-killer sank slowly to his knees. In his pale eyes gleamed a horrible fear. The gun slipped from his hand, and he swayed slowly to one side. A hoarse whis- per came from his lips. “T’ve got mine! I’ve—got—mine!” .He died as he spoke. s Adventure It was Utah’s voice that broke the tense _ silence. His tones were pitying although his words sounded harsh. '“Take him away, boys,” he said. “TI reckon we’re all willin’ to agree he got his.” _ As Duke’s body was borne out of the dance-hall, Nick Ramsay relaxed his sternly watchful attitude. The elbow that had so long sustained him crumpled. He sank slowly back, his eyes closed. Kitty Courtney ran to him. ~ “Nick!”? she cried. boy? Oh, Utah, quick! He’s dying!” But Nick opened his eyes. ‘No.. shoulder hit. I reckon the buliet didn’t break the bone.” At Utah’s imperative gesture a couple of men helped him to his feet. Hestood sway- ing, one arm sagging painfully. Then Kitty pushed the men aside and, lifting the injured arm with exquisite gentleness, laid it about her neck. They moved slowly down the room. But Utah had already resumed his place in front of his “five-nigger band.” He brandished a fat hand. At the signal, piano, cornet, and accordions broke into the luring croon of the fox-trot. At the door of the dance-hall Nick was compelled to rest amoment. Kitty looked up at him encouragingly yet shyly. “Some fox-trotting you and I did, kid!” He smiled wistfully. “You're the real thing, Kitty,” he said, “T’m much obliged to you for that throw. That sure was some basket-ball playing!’ He looked down at her, smiling queerly. “‘When—when I’m feeling a little more lively, Kitty, I want to have a real good talk with you. I want to ask you some- His tone and the strange tenderness of his smile thrilled the girl profoundly. A deep, slow red burned her cheeks, “Oh, Nick!”’ she said. His smile held her entranced, trembling. “‘There’s a preacher up in El Paso,” he murmured. “Oh, Nick!” breathed the girl again. (e@) DoOOk “Are you hurt bad, Ym all right, Kitty. Just a - (CO)