Argosy All-Story Weekly — page 15: what you’re looking at

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

CHANNING COMES THROUGH. Eve got up and walked to the bed, where She stood silently gazing down at Warren, who was moving his head restlessly from side to side. Eve leaned over and stroked Warren’s forehead, but the unconscious man was unresponsive to her touch. Channing, seeing Eve thus occupied, moved away from | the door and walked into the living room. His thoughts were upon the letter he had written to Eve; and he felt that now was a good time to get it into his possession. He was moving toward the mantel when he heard Eve’s voice behind him. She had fol- lowed him and now stood within half a doz- en feet of him. “Channing,” she-said, “‘ some one is com- ing. I heard a horse. Will you please see who it is? Perhaps it is the doctor.” ‘He couldn’t secure the note now, with Eve watching him. He didn’t see the cor- ner of the note that he was sure had been visible; he thought he must have shoved it farther under the vase than he had in- tended. He would be able to slip in and get it after a while. He walked to the front door and stood for an instant peering out. Then Eve, who was standing near the center of the living room watching him, saw him remove his hat in precisely the diffident manner that distinguished him when greeting her. And so she knew that rider of the horse she had heard was a woman. Standing rigid, wondering what errand would bring a wom- an to the Circle B at this hour of the night, she heard a voice, soft, winsome and un- deniably feminine, addressed to Channing: “JT beg your pardon for disturbing you, but is this the ranch that belongs to Mr. Bassett?” CHAPTER IV. A BEAUTIFUL MYSTERY. EYOND Channing, standing in the glare of light from the big lamp on the center table of the living room, the owner of the voice was in plain view. _Eve was amazed at the newcomer’s beauty. Her face, as she stood on the porch looking at Channing, was softly outlined by the darkness behind her, and was framed by a ‘older than Eve. 649 mass of glorious black hair which was ar- ranged in glistening waves and coils under the brim of the small soft felt hat she wore. Involuntarily Eve’s hands went to her own hair, to tuck in some stray wisps that she suddenly became conscious of. The strange girl could not have been At least that was Eve’s quick decision. She made another decision almost as quickly. It was that the strange girl was a lady. Eve, though, was somewhat amazed at the girl’s complete self-possession and the ease and grace of her as she stood, a half smile on her lips, her dark eyes glowing with something approaching amusement as she looked at Channing. The picture she made sent Eve’s thoughts skittering back to the days of her child- hood, when she had seen magnificent crea- tures like this girl moving about on the streets, sitting in carriages, in theaters, in hotels and various public places. Without a doubt the strange girl was city bred. She was self-reliant, capable, confident. “This is Bassett’s ranch,” said Chan- ning, answering the girl’s question. ‘Mr. Dave Bassett?” “Dave Bassett,” replied Channing. The girl’s smile grew. She moved closer to Channing, as though now sure of her welcome. As she came forward Channing stepped aside and permitted her to enter. “T wasn’t certain,” said the girl. “I got off the six o’clock at Red Mesa, and a man directed me here—the man I rented the buckboard from. There were times when I was afraid I would miss the house.”’ She now saw Eve. Her eyes brightened, seemingly with mingled relief and delight over observing the presence of one of her sex. Also, Eve was certain, there was a demure friendliness in the expression of her eyes. Instantly Eve liked her, though she was somewhat perturbed over the enigma of the visit. ‘““Won’t you be seated?” Eve invited. “You must be very tired after your ride from town. And if you will permit me I'll get you something to eat—a jerked up lunch, you know.” “It’s very good of you,” the girl accept- COMmicbooOokKks (S@)