Argosy All-Story Weekly, February 18, 1928 — page 151: what you’re looking at

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

COPPER IS KING. Her voice lost some of its anger to be- come almost pleading. Jim faced her squarely. “You ask me what I know. Suppose you tell me what you know about Allen Brown,” he challenged. Startled, she looked at him in surprise. ‘“Why, just that he was part of dad’s legal staff at home, and that—only, please tell me.” Jim drew a step nearer. “And your dad sent him out here?” “Yes, but—”’ “Will you tell that to the judge, with me?” “Why, of course, if it ‘Il help find—” She broke off abruptly as a grin crept over Jim’s face. ‘““Oh, you beast,’ she cried, ‘“ you’re laughing. Please!’’ She turned to him en- treatingly. ‘ Tell me where Allen Brown is.” For a long moment, Jim studied her. Evidently she was innocent in the whole af- fair. And, thus innocent, she was ready to walk into his trap. He wondered for a second whether it were quite fair to make her come now and unwittingly testify against her uncle—pos- sibly get him into trouble for conspiracy. Then his jaw tightened. The affair was not simply his,own, He must think of his father who had lost his ranch—and of Red who languished in jail. He had no right in this moment to be dis- suaded by sentiment. Later, if he were able to, he could show Morton mercy which Morton had failed to show him. And this, he resolved to do for her sake. The suit settled favorably, he would press no further charges. And if what was to happen in the next fifteen minutes should lose him all oppor- tunity of the girl’s friendship, well—no matter how much it might hurt, he couldn’t help it. ‘“ Elizabeth,” he said quietly, “if you'll come with us now and tell what you’ve just told me to the judge,;I give you my word of honor to do everything in my power to _ bring Brown back.” The girl assented quickly—so quickly, that once again Jim felt a wee epee of remorse, 949 The judge- who heard the evidence gazed from one to the other in amazement. Then, his penetrating eyes came to rest finally on Elizabeth. ! ‘“Miss Worth,” he inquired seriously, “do you realize what all this means?” She shook her blond head. — “ T haven’t the slightest idea. I only—” ‘It means,” went on the judge in meas- ured tones, “ that your uncle and this Mr. Brown have conspired to defeat justice: You see, Mr. Brown, although employed by your uncle at the time, represented \Mr. Bell in a case against your uncle’s com- pany. Now on the basis of that I can ask the grand jury for an indictment.” Jim spoke up. “ But T don’t want an indictment.” The judge rapped for order, “In a case as serious as this, it can’t be a matter of what you want or don’t want.” For the moment, Jim thought that Eliza- beth was going to faint. ‘Oh, not my uncle,” she gasped. don’t know Uncle James. Why—” She gazed from Jim to his father. And with her pain and terror so evident, jim felt his heart suddenly torn. He felt that he must cross over to her to place his arm comfortingly on her shoulder. For the jolt to her was undoubtedly cataclysmic. He did take a step. But her blazing eyes ordered him away. ‘Oh, you’re despicable! I never want to see you again, never, never, never!” And, sobbing softly, she buried her head in her arms. It was at that moment that a neatly tailored, black-haired man of about fifty entered the room. “I was just thinking, your honor,” he began, “since I’ve had a chance to sleep, my anger’s simmered down a little. Guess i won’t have that cow-puncher indicted for kidnaping, after all. ish prank, on his part.” At the sound of this man’s voice, the girl rose to flee to his arms, “ Uncle James, ” she sobbed, they say you’re a criminal.” “You James Morton Seed the gitl’s: tears Mees a gale of tata Probably just a Oey - “ they— 7 — _C€omicbook a —— —~ a a