Argosy All-Story Weekly — page 169: what you’re looking at

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

MYRA’S MIRACLE, appeared and the situation was made clear in a few seconds. ‘““It seems then that we have only fifteen minutes in which to do four hours’ work,” commented Mallory. “Suppose we pay you a little more than we would consider a fair rate for use of the place?” “No. You can’t have it, mister,” snapped Purdy. ‘‘ You’re too all-fired fresh. Just get out!” “You put me in a very unpleasant pre- dicament,’ mused Mallery. ‘“ My com- pany expects me to bring back a complete series of scenes. It would cost us three or four days salaries and expenses to re- take the work we have done here and—” ‘‘That’s your business, not mine!” “We had intended to pay a hundred and fifty dollars for the locations which we used in this picture—” Mallory paused, calmly took a roll of bills from his pocket and counted off several, as he went on, “ Pll pay you two hundred—’’. “ Thank you—God! I knew it!” It was Myra’s fresh young voice, vibrant with excitement that cut his sentence short. He looked up. Her eyes were shining with unshed tears as she looked into his. “I knew the way would be shown me!” she whispered. Mallory nodded his dead. “All right,” broke in Purdy with a sud- den illumination, ‘“ I’ll take your two hun- dred and—” _ “You interrupted this little lady,” said Mallory easily. Then he turned to Myra, an understanding light in his eyes. He smiled as he said, ‘“‘ Yes, we intended to pay you, you know.” “No. I didn’t know—” The girl was trembling now. “—but I—well, a hundred and fifty dollars would pay the interest and he couldn’t put us out for six months!”’ “Good enough!” laughed Mallory. He turned to Purdy, but that individual held his watch in his hand and shook his head triumphantly.” “It would have been good enough ” he said, “—just thirty seconds ago, but it is now past twelve and the place is mine. Now, will you get off or get put off?” Several watches came out. Mallory took one look at his and turned swiftly to his -the money-lender. 959 company. ‘“‘ You are witnesses that at one minute before twelve, for Miss Myra Dun- can, I pay this man the interest on his mort- gage!” He flashed a dangerous look at “Your watch is one minute fast, Mr. Purdy, as my witnesses will prove.” And he thrust the wad of bills into Purdy’s astonished hands. ‘“Jt’s a trick!” sputtered that worthy, throwing the money angrily at the smiling Mallory. “TI tell ye, this place—”’ “Boys!” said the director softly, as Purdy advanced, “‘ this man has been paid. He has no rights in this property. Isn’t he a trespasser?” “ He is!” shouted the ten able-bodied. men of the cast and the four ladies of the company gleefully agreed. “Well, then?” laughed Mallory easily. He winked at young Radcliffe and long Bill Bond and in another instant the irate Purdy was lifted bodily by a dozen strong arms, carried joyously down the walk and deposited outside the gate. Chippy picked up the scattered bills, Mallory quickly snapped a rubber band about them and, tossing them to Radcliffe, who stood guard at the wicket, said genially, ‘“‘ Don’t let him forget his interest, boys. He nearly lost it with his temper!” Purdy turned, white hot and with male- dictions loud and deep, but was promptly, firmly and expeditiously lifted into his little car and given a running start down the hill, while the director called gayly, ‘‘ Good- by, Mr. Purdy. Drop in again!” Then, with characteristic discretion the players were called and the interrupted work progressed until the sun began to send its long shadows level under the trees. IIT. On the following Sunday Myra went down to the little brook right after break- fast, to be alone and realize that the farm was still theirs. She was very grateful, very, but her thoughts refused to dwell on this. For the first time in her close- kept, young life they traveled afar. How far she had not realized until a step on the grass startled her and brought her back. She turned—and caught her breath. COMME DOO <S (CO) in