Argosy All-Story Weekly, May 5, 1928 — page 124: what you’re looking at

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

690 grass and flowers, but these sports never observes this beauty none. They sit hunched over their hosses, smoking nervously, and acting as if their tongues had been cut off. I wonder some, why Renwood asks me out to his ranch. Of course, I real- ly wanted to be there, in case any in- criminating questions is asked of Mary Renwood, but he doesn’t know that. Nothjng was said worth repeating on that ride out to Renwood’s ranch; I don’t get chatty with folks what desires silence so thick it can be cut with a knife, no, sir, not me. It is some time before noon that the main building heaves into sight. When we reaches it the cow-punchers ride around to the back, and I see no more of ’em for the present; Renwood and I together dismount at the front hitch post. Mary comes out as if she had been waiting for us. She smiles at me and greets her father. with a pecking at his cheek. It ain’t what I’d call an affec- tionate reunion. “Call Carrie,” says Renwood in a harsh voice, and in a minute the old lady comes out, too. Up to now Renwood has been hold- ing himself somewhat under a leash, but he throws it off as if with a feel- ing of great relief. “Does you know what happened yesterday?” he almost shouts. _ “No,” replies the girl, “ nothing ex- cept that Mr. Flint brought me home, after that terrible experience with the Injuns.” ““Veah; I suppose neither you nor Carrie saw Leary during the day? You know he left for the ranch to bring me an important paper.” “No, I didn’t see him at all; did you, Carrie?” The old cook shook her head. “T ast I saw of yer foreman he was pinting to town with you and the boys.” Renwood stared hard at both of them, and breathed a big sigh that ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. threw a load offen his mind. But he was a suspicious critter; being a dou- ble crosser himself he didn’t trust others none. “Leary must have been downed on the trail out thisaway,’ he murmured, almost to himself. Suddenly another thought struck him, coming from the fact of his being so untrusting. “ You-alls stay here a minute,” he says, cold and polite. “I’m going in- side, but [ll be rrght back.” He walked rapidly toward his pri- vate Office. Mary’s face was mantled with a faint flush, and the old woman also was sure shocked by the news of Leary’s death, coming so sudden, without a word of warning. “ Keep cool and trust me,’ I said in a low tone of voice. “I can explain everything, but [ need time.” I wished to change the subject. “Miss Mary—your father didn’t seem so pleased to see you.”’ *“Laes, dies, I’m sick of lies,” «she whispered back. “ He isn’t my father, jest my stepfather, and I hate him. My mother married him two years ago— poor mother, it is.as well that she died when she did. Her life knew no peace nor the slightest contentment.” My heart leaped within me. Then I would not, after all, be doing some- thing to make her dreadfully unhappy by fastening the guilt of murder on Renwood. Mary would not have stood in the way of revenging my father and brother’s deaths, but the thought of hurting her had not been pleasant. “Tm. slad,’. 1. said, “that Ae isn’t your father, Mary, for it will make my path easier for me to travel. I can’t tell you the story, now, but I want you to know that I am only working for justice—justice for the dead of my family, most foully murdered.” The old cook smiled kind of grimly. “T knows in my heart,” she mur- murs, “that right will win in the end. It allus does.” EOPMNICL OOO KS (©)