Adventure Magazine Cover — page 34: what you’re looking at

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

26 “Yes, I thought you did,” said the minis- ter. “He told me he had ordered you out of town.” “My gasped Skeeter. ‘He didn’t leave much of anythin’ to talk about, did he? Was the lady there when he talked so much?” “Yes. He said she should know every- thing. But I assure you that we are very grateful “You're awful danged welcome,” Skeeter bitterly. ‘Good day.” Skeeter started to shut the door. “Just a moment,” said the minister, and Skeeter turned his head. ‘Do you know of a family named Honkatonk? I have a mes- sage to the Honkatonk girls, and I——”’ But Skeeter Bill shut the door, leaving the minister finishing his sentence to the exterior of the shack. es said wei te ies TAREYTON faced Skeeter and they stared at each other for sev- eral moments. From outside came the sound of footsteps as the minister turned and startedaway. ‘Then the judge sat down on his bunk and picked up the bottle. “At any rate, Skeeter Bill, you are re- lieved from any further necessity of assisting the spreading of gospel in Sunbeam town.”’ Skeeter stared at the floor and rubbed a hand slowly across his chin. “Well, judge, they can’t say I lied to ’em. I told ’em I was a horse-thief but they wouldn’t believe me.”’ “Skeeter Bill,’ said the judge seriously, “‘vyou have been vindicated, but I still main- tain that we are in a —— precarious position.”’ “Feller can’t die but once, judge.” ‘“‘Nor live,” nodded the judge,” I am still of the opinion that our skin is worth more to us than to posterity. Tonight, when the mantle of darkness covers the hills, we really must fold our tents and silently steal away.”’ “T am a thief,” nodded Skeeter, “but I won’t steal away. Tonight when this here mantle covers the hills, I’m goin’ to church; sabe?” Judge Tareyton measured a spot on the bottle and lowered the contents to the ex- act spot. “Skeeter Bill, I shall go with you. It will shock the devil—I am very sure of that, but there will be little cause for the angels to sing—yet.”’ Judge Tareyton sighed with regret as the Be 1ZeO Adventure supply of liquor dwindled. Night came swiftly after the sunset, and the room was already in semidarkness. Across the room from the judge stood Skeeter Bill, leaning against the one window, his tall figure slightly bowed. There were no sounds in the room except the creak of the bed as the judge reached for and replaced the almost empty bottle. Suddenly Skeeter straightened and peered out of the window. A figure was coming to- ward the shack. As it came closer Skeeter saw that it was Mary Leeds. As she passed the corner of the shack, Skeeter stepped over and opened the door. She stopped just short of the doorway and peered at him. Neither of them spoke for nearly a minute, then Skeeter Bull said softly— “Evenin’, ma’am.” “Oh, I—I couldn’t see you very well,” faltered Mary Leeds, ‘‘I——” “Won’t yuh come in?” asked Skeeter. “No, I 29 ‘“Thassall right,” nodded Skeeter. don’t blame yuh.”’ “But I want you to—I—” Mary Leeds grew confused. “Lemme say it for yuh, ma’am. You know I’m a bad hombre, but you’re tryin’ to excuse me. That’s fine. I sure do appre- ciate it, but the fact that I’m a bad hombre still hangs around, don’t it? Mebbe you’re sorry for me, ma’am.”’ “Yes,” said Mary Leeds simply. “Don’t do it, ma’am,” Skeeter straight- ened up. “Don’t do it. Laugh at me if yuh want to, but “T just wanted you to know that it doesn’t make any difference what they say about you,” interrupted Mary Leeds. ‘You were very kind and considerate, and I want to thank you for it.” Judge Tareyton came slowly to the door, brushing back his long hair and trying to make his weak knees carry his dead-weight body. “Good evening,’’ said Mary Leeds. “T have never seen a better one,” replied the judge hoarsely, bowing with difficulty. “The night hath many charms, but never before have I observed them from my own door. Will you not come in?” “No,” Skeeter shook his head. “No, judge. It ain’t square to her to ask her into our house, ’cause she might accept to keep from hurtin’ our feelin’s.” A | COMicaoo <S) co