Argosy All-Story Weekly — "The Purple Limited" — page 102: what you’re looking at

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

668 didn’t like me a heap, I reckon. No bet- ter ’n I liked Loma. I’d have pulled my freight before now, but a guy which was boardin’ my hoss allowed he’d ought to be paid for it. I reckon I’d have been roost- in’ in Loma yet if a soft-hearted hombre on a red hogs paca’ squared things up for me. ”? “H-m. What you allowin’ your name 1s?”’ The visitor’s lips parted in 2 slow, mirth- less grin at the question. It was evident that he thought the other’s curiosity un- warranted, even impertinent. \ ‘You wantin’ to hire a man or a name?”’ he said, eying his prospective employer with a saturnine eye. “ If. ‘you're hirin’ names, why, I reckon—”’ He paused, reddened. His broad- brimmed hat came off, and he bowed with elaborate politeness to a girl who had ap- peared in the doorway behimd the other ' Man. The girl’s eyes were wide with interest; she stuck her head around the other man’s shoulder and smiled cordially at the visiter. “This man numst be all right, father,” she said. ‘“ He says he met Mr. Nelsen.” She looked directly at the visitor. ‘“ Wa® that the name of the man who rode the red horse?” | ‘“‘ He wasn’t mentionin’, ma’am. When we was talkm’ he was a heap mterested m watchin’ me rassle with a mess. of ham an’ aigs he’d staked me to—me havin’ no ac- quaintance with them any more’n bem’ able to breathe the same air. But he leoked straight enough to own to a handle like you gave him, ma’am. “He was seven or eight feet high, looked like; considerable broad across the back. . An’ he was the sort of guy a man would hike to be frendty with. My own name is Knable, ma’am— Lefty Knable.” ~ Your friend rede a red horse, you say?” ‘Yes, ma’am—red. Looks like he was afire. A big hoss an’ a big man. I reckon they’re the same, ma’am. Once you throw your eyes on that combimation you ain’t forgettin’ it; An’ you’ve got it mght, say- in’ he’s my friend. I ain’t knowed him long, but that’s the way 1 feel about him. ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. I'd be proud to throw in with him in any- thing he starts.” The girl’s eyes glowed with a warm light as she smiled at Knable. She did not speak, but looked at her father. The other, seeming to understand the significance of her look, likewise smiled. ‘““T reckon you're hired,” he said to Kna- ble. ‘“‘ We’ve been needin’ men. My out-. fit’s with the wagon—south. The cook, too. But I reckon we'll not let you starve. There’s room in the bunk-heuse fer your traps. When you've got things straight- ened, come back here an’ grab. Hustle, for things will be gettin’ cold.” Knable worked fast. In less than ten minutes he was back on the ranch-house porch, washing from a basm that stood on a bench near the kitchen door. A few min- utes later he was seated at 2 table in a big dming-room, and was being helped gener- ously to food. His host sat opposite him; and during a coaversation that hinged apen cattle—al- ways a subject of prime importance—Kma- ble took stock of his employer. The rancher was a big man—massive. He bore the look of having worked hard all his life: of having conserved his strength. He had a well-shaped head that sat solidly upon a short neck; his shoulders were broad, his arms huge. He was deep-chest- ed, but owned an undemable stomach, in- dicating that ease was no stranger to him. He was of middle age. However, Knable was more interested in the girl than in her father. He had not failed to note the warm giance she had thrown at him when he had mentioned Shorty—or to use her own words, “ Mr. Nelson ”—and by linking the expression with what he had heard Shorty say to Blandel!l in the street in town, Knable di- vined that the girl’s interest m Sherty was deeper than casual. Perhaps Knable’s divination was what caused him to smile into his plate several times. Certamly it was his desire to say something in favor of his new-found friend that prompted him deliberately te delay finishing his meal until his host had left the table. For after the’girl’s father had gone out, quietly announcing that he wanted to ANIC 6)(0)©) (C(O) S (C(O)