Argosy All-Story Weekly — page 116: what you’re looking at

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

vi You bear no malice ‘toward the man who shot him?” “TY don’t know. I suppose, even after = all these years, that the sight of him would fill my heart: with hatred. But I would try to forgive him. But I haven’t kept him before me—I haven’t thought about 2 him. And I guess that sums up just what I am trying to say to you—that it is an affront to God to brood over an injustice, to keep it ever before you—alive and grow- ing until you become its slave.” - Necia’s voice had risen, and she stopped, ‘surprised at herself. “J hadn’t meant to say quite that,” she said humbly. “ Forgive me.’ But Joseph had been deeply stirred, and = gave no sign that he heard her now. “‘T have tried to keepshatred out of my heart!” he exclaimed earnestly, “for the dead cannot be avenged through hate. But I have come back to right a great wrong, and I will not beturtied aside. I ask only justice. That will I have.” “But justice that demands an eye for an eye is often less than justice.” “And yet, I shall demand no less.” His es : voice was determined, almost sullen in its intensity. ‘At this moment, I hold the lives and happiness of those who have wronged me and mine in my hand. I can — -erush them as you would crush an egg ‘shell. As easily as that!” “Joseph had put out his hand, and Necia held her breath as she watched his fingers : close until the nails sank into his flesh. “ And still—I have yet to raise my hand against any man. ‘ Vengeance is mine,’ the Lord has said, and I do not intend to pre- ‘sume with Him. But if I do—if because I see in myself the messenger of His will —J will fail. Beyond all else, I am true to myself. No one can alter my purpose. Whenever opportunity hhas offered, I have never failed to do a man a favor. I have . - given all, and asked nothing.” “And already you have your reward,” : : = Necia declared. ‘‘ Men who scoffed at you now respect you. You have made friends, whether you know it or not. You could do SEE People of ibis valley a wonder- oa service.” “T have,” Joseph ae: simply “TI -_ > Se | ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. have warned them. But they have not listened, even though the signs are every- where. Not in fifty years has this valley been without water, so they see in me only | a fanatic—a preacher of religion, your — grandfather called me.” “ But grandfather respects you. He does not know that he does, but—he does. When you spoke to him, he knew that he heard the truth. There—he is calling me —you will come again?” “T may—have to,” Joseph murmured with peculiar emphasis. Necia glanced at him questioningly. “* Have to?” she queried. Joseph nodded. “Your grandfather has never recalled the reward he offered for the capture of the man who killed your father. 1 may decide to claim it.” Necia drew back in surprise. “You know where to find him?” she asked eagerly. “He has never been away. He is not the man you suspect.” Thad had been standing beside Angel’s buggy, waiting, and he started toward the side door now to find out what kept Necia. She heard him approaching, and she put her hand upon Joseph’s arm again, touching him lightly. “Tell me his name,” she demanded. Her voice trembled. “* Not to-night,” Joseph answered> “ He is a brute and a bully—a coward. He shot your father in the back.” Necia’s eyes flamed as Joseph spoke. Her face was as stern as his own, now. “Tf I reveal his identity,” he went on, “it will cost him his life. You think it over. if you can tell me when you see me again, that you forgive him—that you do not demand that he pay for what he has done—I will give you his name.” Horror crept into Necia’s eyes as she realized what he proposed. “J understand you perfectly,” she flared back. “You ask me to prove myself wrong—you make it very, very hard oe me.’ Her tone stabbed Joseph, and he was about to speak when SEE Ssh reached the door. HES LI == com books €0 =— Mm