Argosy All-Story Weekly — page 156: what you’re looking at

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

- soap! 466 appeared within. Moved to action, Butch, too, started toward the cabin. He had no plan in mind. Andy Gregg must not es- cape, that was all. Of course there was the woman, but— He blundered in through the open door. Stumbled over a cat which had been hun- grily observing the woman’s preparations for supper. The beast yowled. The wom- an turned, a startled look showing briefly in her dark eyes. Then she wiped her hands on the back of her apron, smiled, and came toward him, hand outstretched. Andy Gregg had disappeared, ‘“‘T didn’t hear you rap, stranger, Come right in.” Butch took her hand awkwardly, “ Andy—my man—will be back in a minute. Jest gone to the spring for water.” Butch merely gulped. “You're tired, an’ probably hungry. Supper 7ll be ready in a jiffy. Bud—git some water for the gentleman—an’ some 192 Still speechless from this unexpected turn im affairs, Butch followed the youngster around to the side of the cabin. The while he splashed aimlessly in the cool water ~ with an audience of two wide-eyed young- -_ sters, he wondered vaguely how it had been _ possible for Andy Gregg to disappear so _ cabin by the back door, of course. He had left the “But he, Butch, had entered the cabin not a dozen feet behind him. His toilet completed, Butch paused at the suddénly and completely. - cabin door, seriously contemplating flight. It seemed the easiest way out. But no— he had said that he would bring Andy Gregg back with him. And— -Supper’s ready, stranger. Sit right down. We won’t wait for Andy. He’s probably trying a cast in Squaw Brook. Trout time now. Andy, he’s crazy about fish. Can’t git no work out of him no- how when they’re a bitin’.” She laughed, a pleasant, hearty laugh. Butch grinned despite himself. She was a friendly sort. She wasn’t afraid either. Most women were afraid of him. Beefsteak, mashed potatoes, fresh peas— coffee. Lots of everything. Butch hesi- tated. A mighty struggle raged within him. aaa a a mall = me PMS a" “- a os. -> me, bana » * when oe — Se * Seated tn eee PA re — a ee ata Ste ary er an ey eT SS Ss“, SS ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. Here was he, Butch Keever, bad man of Banter Mountain, wanting to eat at the table of a man who had made him the laughing stock of two counties. What a fool! Gregg would tell about it in town, of course, even if he didn’t pull a gun ficht now. And then— Perspiration rolled down Butch’s face. He felt weak and dizzy. Caught a chair back for support. The woman came hurriedly toward him, sympathy in her nice eyes. “You're sick—” ‘ Butch grinned sheepishly as she pushed a chair under his trembling knees. “Here, drink this.” Hot coffee. Nectar of the gods. gulped it greedily. ‘““'You’re hungry, that’s what’s the mat- ter. I know. Andy, he acts like that—” With a sigh, Butch attacked the huge plateful of food which Mrs, Greeg placed before him. Defeat had its compensations, however. Never had food tasted so good. She was a swell cook. Easily as good as Martha. Perhaps better. Even the youngsters watched, wondering amazement in their wide eyes as the huge slices of steak dis- appeared. ‘“There’s lots more, stranger. Finish it up. Do. We got a whole beet out in the spring-house. Andy he’ll ketch him a trout, most likely.” Satiation came at last. R Butch rolled a cigarette and tilted back against the wall. He felt that pleasant, guilty glow like a youngster who has as- sured himself ‘of the excellence of a forbid- den jar of jam and awaits discovery. From utter silence he merged abruptly into loquaciousness. He found Mrs. Gregg a good listener and an intelligent one. She knew timber and hogs and cattle and all of the thousand and one little things incidental to home- steading in the West. He forgot all about Andy Graze It was desk when the little man ap- peared. He wore a pleased grin. With only a passing glance at Butch, he proudly pre- sented to his wife two beautiful speckled brook trout. Butch Ll comicbooks conv Fe ee cae he + EO ee