Argosy All-Story Weekly, April 4, 1925 — page 144: what you’re looking at

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

934 Bells, bring me to the gent that you got these here from, and you can have ten nig- gers in exchange! “ But,” he added, pausing, “ how'll we make the exchanger Am I gonna go to the jail and bring out Little Samuel, while you stay back here with your man? No, no, Jingle-Bells—that’s too slim. I’d never See any of the three of you again.” ‘You may take vour time, sheriff, and do it in your own way. I'll wait here until you have taken the murderer in.” ‘“ You'll wait here, Jingle-Bells, and take a chance on me sneakin’ back with a couple of hands to help me—”’ ‘“ My dear sheriff,” smiled El] Cantor, “vou are absurd. Of course I know you are a man of honor!” CHAPTER XXXII. A CHANGE OF SCENE. HEY sat on opposite sides of the library table at the Swain house like two generals laying forth a plan of campaign. And if Henry Swain were se- rious, Hugh Nichols was despairing. “ You’ve overrated what she’s told you,” declared the father. ‘‘ You’ve far over- rated the importance of what she has said, . Hugh. Because she’s extremely outspoken, and is sure to say a little bit more than is in her mind. “ Mr. Swain,” said the younger man, “ I have tried to think that. But it’s some- thing more than what she’s said. When she speaks of this fellow John Albert, as he calls himself, there’s a change in her voice and a change in her eye. Those things have a meaning. She may be outspoken, but she has never been emotional.” Swain pondered for a moment. ‘“ Then tell me,” he inquired, “ how far you think that the thing might go.” “JT think I know,” big Hugh Nichols re- plied. ‘It will go to a marriage. Particu- larly if she’s opposed by us. One can’t say a word against this El] Cantor. She fires up at once and begins to defend him. I’ve noticed that.” : “ Marriage!” breathed Swain. ‘ Mar- riage to an infernal adventurer, a nameless ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. rascal, an outlawed thief and ruffian, a gun fighter, a notorious scoundrel like that? I tell you, Hugh, I’d far rather that the ranch had been lost and that my ruin had taken us both out of this section of the country.” ‘What does the section matter to him?” asked Nichols despondently. “ I’ve thought of that. I’ve thought of persuading her to leave this district fora time. But I tell you, Mr. Swain, the fellow would follow us. He would be away after you like a blood- hound.” “Do you think so?” “I know so, Mr. Swain. There’s that much devil in him. The higher you build the wall the surer he is to climb it!” “But the law is on him, Nichols. His departure from the country can be barred.” ‘Can it, though?” “ Certainly!” ‘But what can be held against him? What that is serious, I mean?” “What? Why, man, the whole world knows that he’s an outlawed—” “But for what?” “Why, for kidnaping you, for one thing.” ““He did me no harm. And, after all, I'd be ashamed to appear in such a case. It would make me a laughing stock at home.” ‘But there are other things. down two of my men—” “In a fair fight. I think you’d find it hard to get a conviction from a western jury on such a matter. They won’t jail one man for beating two others in a fair fight, particularly where neither wound was mortal?” ‘ But the scene at the parson’s house—” “After all, Mr. Swain, what did that really amount to? Your daughter had agreed—”’ “Had been bribed—bought, Hugh.” ‘“ Would the law feel that? She had agreed to marry him. When he came to marry her, according to the agreement, he was set upon by armed men. That wouldn’t look particularly honorable for our side of the case!” “In the name of Heaven, do you mean to say that if he stands his trial—”’ ‘Just now, while feeling is high about He shot An GIOok