Argosy All-Story Weekly — page 27: what you’re looking at

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

= - was turned away from her. He was gazing out of one of the windows, meditatively, it seemed. Warren had relieved his mind of the feel- ing of guilt. It wasn’t his fault that Eve - had gone away and leit him with this at- tractive girl. He was a trifle exhilarated over the situation. He was conscious of no regret over Eve’s absence. In fact, though he dismissed the idea as absurd, he was rather pleased that Eve wasn’t there at the moment. There was something about the strange girl that awakened new emotions in him. And there was the mystery of her blush to be explained. “You came afterward,” he said. “‘ Did Miss Winthrop send for you?” ‘““T happened to be passing the Circle B. Miss Winthrop told me you were ill, and I volunteered to help.” “You have had some experience in nurs- ing?” “At a hospital in Denver.” ‘“T have a suspicion that I owe you much, young lady. I shall not attempt to thank you until after I am able to get around and discover things. What did Dr. Link have to say?” ~“ You had a slight fracture. It might have resulted seriously. The danger is over. You are to be very quiet and get all the rest you can for several days. Mean- while, I am ordered to stay until you feel I can be dispensed with.” ‘Will your staying here interfere with any plans you might have made?” “Not in the slightest.” She smiled at him as she moved toward him. ; “T think you are talking just a little too much,” she said. “It is against Dr. Link’s orders, you know.” She was standing over him now, and with professional directness laid a hand upon his forehead. But there was nothing professional about her blush as he looked into her eyes, wondering at the gentleness of her touch. “Go to sleep,” she admonished, softly. “Close your eyes.” He was glad to obey, because he was afraid the thrill that had swept over him CHANNING COMES THROUGH. 661 at the enchanting vision she made bending over him would be visible to her in his eyes. He was tempted by the forbidden, and he was amazed to discover that this girl had awakened something in him which had been lacking in his love for Eve. Betty moved to the windows and drew the shades. She came again to Warren’s side, bent over him and readjusted the ban- dage on his head. Then her hand again lightly touched his forehead and the fingers brushed his cheek, lingeringly. His eyes opened again to gaze directly up into hers. Her gaze was as steady as his. Both smiled. ‘You are going to stay here?” he asked. “ Of course.” “Do you know,” he said seriously, “ I have a conviction that you are urging me to sleep so that you can steal away. You intend to vanish as mysteriously as you appeared.” 3 ‘Would you care?” cheeks aflame. “Yes. I think I would care very much. I don’t want you to go without letting me know. Will you promise that?” Yes,” she answered softly, “I prom- ise. 9 ‘“ Then I will be able to go to sleep,” said Warren. Betty patted Warren’s hand which was lying on the coverlet. Unknown to Betty and Warren, Eve had ridden in a short time before. She had quietly entered the house from the front veranda, and she now stood in the half- open doorway of Warren’s room, her hand reaching out to grasp the knob. ) The words of Warren and Betty were clear and distinct, though their voices had been low. Eve’s face grew suddenly white, and her hand dropped to her side. She retreat- ed softly through the living room to the veranda, stepped down to the hard sand of the level surrounding the ranch house and walked rapidly between some giant cottonwood trees into the quiet and shade of a small clearing. There was the merest shadow of an ironic smile upon her lips.. she asked, her TO BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK oO CORMCELO© SS (S@)