Argosy All-Story Weekly, July 7, 1928 — page 139: what you’re looking at

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

HEARTBREAK TRAIL, man huskily in a low tone, “1, too, am a New England Yankee, and my con- science will not permit me to clasp the hand that has withheld justice and mercy from the people of Kansas, while showering favors on their vil- lainous foes.” He passed on swiftly, and no more than three bystanders heard his speech, but other guests saw the executive’s face grow pale, then turn an angry crimson. No more than three bystanders heard the speech; yet it was reported in detail to the farthest corners of the White House before the audacious young man was clear of the room. It was whispered to Congressman Reynolds, and his handsome round face went white, then settled into deep lines of positive anguish. ‘““Come, we must go at once,” he said hoarsely to his daughter, and nod- ded coldly to Reuel, indicating that he was expected to accompany them back to the house. As they went out to their coach, Mark Rynders suddenly intercepted them. “The President of the United States is inhibited by his exalted rank and position from publicly resenting a pub- lic insult,’ he said in a loud voice. “ Permit a humble citizen to act in his Excellency’s behalf.” On the last word, he took another step forward, and flicked his gloves sharply across Reuel’s face. “ Friends of mine will be at the serv- ice of your friends, Mr. Tristram,’’ he added, in the grand manner. Miranda uttered a startled cry and caught at her father’s arm. Reuel drew back and was silent for a moment, apparently mastering his emotions by an unusual effort of will. Then he spoke firmly. “1 could not ask friends of mine to hold intercourse with friends of yours,” he said. “If you are so dis- posed I cannot prevent you from at- tacking me in the street or any other 279 place, and [’ll defend myself. But I cannot discuss matters of personal honor with a man who has no honor— with a bushwhacker, a border ruffhan, a scoundrel!” Rynders ripped out a curse and started forward, but three young men darted from the crowd that had formed in a moment, seized the enraged swash- buckler, and bore him away. Reuel turned to Miranda and her father and made a ceremonious bow, indicating that he would take leave of them and walk to his home. “Nay, it is my wish that you ac- company us, Tristram,” said the Con- gressman. “‘I have somewhat to say to you on a matter that brooks no de- lay. It is my wish, too, that your uncle may be a witness to our conver- sation.” As they entered the coach, Reynolds instructed the footman to have the - driver proceed to the residence of Senator Tristram. Miranda began to weep softly. The two men were silent during the short drive. The Senator was at home, but he received the visitors in his study, at- tired in a dressing gown, and explained that he was slightly indisposed. It had all the appearance of a drum- head court-martial. Miranda wept copiously, The judge-advocate, in the person of Congressman Reynolds, presented the charges forcefully, with all the art- ful eloquence of a long experience mn dialectics. The Senator became distressingly faint and ill, and sent for a decanter of brandy. When some color returned to his cheeks, he spoke. “T resign my seat in the United States Senate to-morrow,” he said, “thereby terminating an honorable ca- reer of thirty years. The noblemen and elder statesmen of some of the | Oriental countries have, I am told, a - more violent method of expressing deep shame and unutterable despair. COPMNICGLOOOKS (C@