Argosy All-Story Weekly — page 50: what you’re looking at

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

840 Archer drew Lynnie to him and kissed her. And then they went in to where Un- cle Gummy lay. They stood at the end of his bunk. Uncle Gummy was sitting up in bed, grinning toothlessly. ‘““T mind now,” he began, ‘“ where it was I see you. Hit was one day last week I was drivin’ my two burros down the bed o’ the arroya. And when I git almost be- hind the cabin where the little yaller hair gal lives ”—Uncle Gummy looked at Lyn- nie—‘‘ the one that sets in a green ham- mick, readin’ novel books—” ‘‘T see this here young feller in the green hammick by the side o’ the little gal—” “That ’ll do, Uncle Gummy!” Archer had turned a deep, painful red. “ For- get it!” 7 But Uncle Gummy was bound by no shackles of honorable masculine alliance. ‘‘ They was a-settin’ mighty close together,” he went on with relish. ‘“‘ They was a-hold- in’ hands, and they had their heads together like they was a-plannin’ merridge. And then ”—here Uncle Gummy cackled—‘ and then this here young devil, he lift his head and looks all round—but he didn’t see me ner Jerry ner Julep—and then he draw her up to his bosom and he give her a true love kiss. Young folks didn’t kiss that way in my day,” he interpolated with envy. “ Gosh, I never see sich a kiss!” No laughter greeted this. The old man fretfully settled himself back on his pil- lows. They stood white faced, looking at each other. There was no tremor in Lynnie’s low voice: “Vou do resemble your grandfather, don’t you? But I wonder if he would have lied about it?” She turned to the old man. “I’m going to bring your supper in now, Uncle Gum- my, and you must eat every bite of it.” They stood outside the cabin. “Vou must let me explain,” Archer was beginning. “I don’t love Sophy. Kissing Sophy meant no more to Sophy, or to me, than—well, than—sneezing.” ‘Vou have led her to love you,” said ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. Lynnie. ‘ And when I asked you about it, you lied to me. You told me a deliberate lie.” ‘“T did nothing of the kind,” he retorted hotly. “ I’m not a liar.” ‘“Didn’t you tell me that you had never kissed her?” “TY said I had never kissed her like that.” “ Like what?” Her tone was gentle. “It was not like kissing you—”’ ‘Don’t you dare mention kissing me! Don’t you dare think of it, Archer Macken- zie! I never want to see you again as long as I live—”’ ‘““ Look here!” He took her by the shoul- ders, almost shaking her in his intensity. He looked into her eyes, which never faltered. “Tl think of kissing you as long as God lets me live! I’ll never forget it! And you will never forget it either—you’ll always remember it. I didn’t deceive Sophy San- ders. I didn’t tell her I loved her. She is old enough to know something of life. She is sophisticated—” ‘““ What you want to say is that ’m un- sophisticated—” “Tf I wanted to say it, I would. not afraid to say what I want—” “Nor am I. And I tell you now that I hope never to see you again. What you have done is a shameful thing. And a cruel thing. You have made Sophy love you. And then—and then—you hold her kisses as lightly as—as—sneezes.” He smiled involuntarily. her. “God sent me up here,” she went on in a low, furious voice; ‘ for if I hadn’t come, I might have married you. I might have had children who would have been liars.”’ He turned very white. ‘‘ I’m glad you’re to be spared that,” he said in anger as deep as her own. They plunged down the trail, each deep in anger and heartbreak; each thinking up words with which to hurt the other—but no words came. He left her at her cabin and took his way down toward Golden Street. Johnny Jackrabbit dawdled in front of the cabin, making a circle in the sand with his great toe. The Prophet Daniel circled connicoooks tm It maddened CO)