Argosy All-Story Weekly, July 11, 1925 — page 61: what you’re looking at

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

THE INNOCENT. Hastily he retraced his steps. As he neared the house he saw the ruby-red tail- light of an automobile moving away, grow- ing smaller with distance until it turned a corner. Steve watched in benediction; and then he went into the house. The lighted anteroom seemed strangely quiet after the recent scene. a chair, clutching a dainty lace handker- chief, staring at the embers of the fire. Steve slumped into another chair. “ And now,” he remarked cheerfully, “ Heaven help us all!” VI. PAULA was very late to appear next morning, and her face was pale and drawn when at last she glided into the dainty breakfast room. Steve, smoking a cigarette, gave her plenty of time before starting any conversation. He watched a steamer run- ning past a yellow-brown bluff as it plowed through the Golden Gate, leaving a mile- long wake of white waters behind it. “ Well,’ he inquired at length, “ what are your plans?” “Plans?” Her voice was plaintive. “TI have only the instinct to flee.” “ All right; flee, then.” She nodded, but her big eyes were dis- turbed. She blurted: “ Ah, Stephen, I almost wish you had never come here! I thought you were rus- tic, harmless, innocent, naive. My heav- ens!” Steve’s homely face wrinkled into a grin as he balanced a coffee cup against his mouth. “ Huh! Do you think a man can run a big cattle ranch by being innocent? Do you think I can manage a crowd of wild- eyed wranglers by being harmless? Lady, . ‘you’ve guessed me wrong!” “T know it.” She hesitated. why I fear for you.” “ Forget it. My sins are in a rightful cause. I’m like a knight, or something, bat- tling against sin.” “ You are facetious this morning!” “No, I don’t like the job, but I can’t let go. Hello, what’s this coming?” A uniformed messenger ran up the front steps. In a moment Steve was reading a “ That’s Paula was in 215 wire dated from Fresno, more than two hundred miles away. It was: This is hell, Tire blew out, battery quit, front wheel is loose. Slim in the brush while ‘I am repairing car here. Pray for us. SHORTY. Steve tore the paper up. The messenger departed. “ Bad news?” from the table. “Everything is going as smoothly as might be expected,” reassured Steve, truth- fully. “ Hadn’t you better pack up?” She bowed her head meekly. “TI will have to bid good-by to all my friends, of course. It might take a day or two. When do we start?” “‘ Whenever the starting is good. Maybe I'll stay here till Hammond’s letters arrive among his friends, I want to see their ef- fect. You’d better go away first.” “I? Alone on an Arizona cattle ranch?” Steve looked up sharply. “Well, it’s just as safe as a bootleg- ger’s headquarters! Maybe more so! What more can I offer? Isn’t it enough that you’re under your father’s roof?” Paula caught her breath and drew her head up. Steve realized that she was al- ready distracted enough. He arose, stepped forward, and slapped an impulsive hand on her surprised aristocratic shoulder. “ Forgive me—sister. Do whatever you darned please. If you want chaperones or house parties, go to it. I’m only trying to help you!” She turned away and started for the rear stairs, her head bowed, though there was a trace of amusement in her face. Z “You are a good man, Stephen!” she admitted, poising herself at the base of the steps; and then, with a queer little shrug, she started up, just as the doorbell rang, It was another telegram from Fresno: inquired Paula, arising This is hell, We had to buy two new spark plugs. Cargo is O. K., and Slim made them write three letters with a fence picket boost+ ing Arizona. The car sounds terrible. . SHORTY. An hour later the bell rang again. This time it was Beth, greeting Steve with a ae com — — cComicbooks i an Re ee i ae, eet ee a eatig a Se > wbighte % % eats Fone te r mg pe SA teat ee ee ee . ~, 4. < 3 g2t o » es . ‘ ser g - PS Se et. Fr Penge Sr Sige eee ee pe et net = ne — ets eo ee th Sc tn Te ein te SF tS, rate 4 + SP an ET Sg ee ee rr eae eo Pe ee gt os en a ENE ee Tt eS oe SN en eR OS gn Te inl