Argosy All-Story Weekly, February 5, 1921 — page 66: what you’re looking at

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

352 understood the necessity for quick action. With the fences down at the willows a large proportion of their steck might easily stray into the foothills, and in the face of the weather sure to break very soon, and with the chances that the rustlers were watching for this to happen, the odds were against their recovery without a loss. The two, supplied with pliers, returned to the break without waiting for supper. ‘There were more important things on foot than food or sleep. ‘Fhey would have to be satisfied with a makeshift job, for there was no new wire, nor was there a chance of getting any without delay. Jack surveyed the ruin with jaundiced cyes. ‘ Billie,” he said solemnly, “it looks like somebody’s shootin’ hand was gettin’ cured up like an’ ready for business. How does it look tuh you?” “Well, I was thinkin’ something like that myself,” Billie returned, equably. “He ain’t in any ‘hurry to take a pot shot at me though. He could have had it to- day if he’d chose. I reckon this sort of dirty work satisfies him, maybe.” ‘Then there was th’ girl,’ Jack added soberly, twisting wire. ‘‘ Even a rustler mightn’t like tuh chance her gettin’ in th’ way.” When Billie made no reply, Jack went on, feeling his way over what he knew to be ticklish ground. “ This don’t look exactly like no rustler job tuh me—/ ain’t never seen ’em come in broad daylight like this. It Jooks more like spite work. Might be something a woman was mixed up with.” Glancing at his friend he changed the subject abruptly. “Guess 171 be ridin’ over tub Duncan’s to-morrow about that alfalfa. Looks like we'd need more hay. After a long dry spell like this there’s sure to be a hell freezin’ winter, an’ we’ve got to keep them whiteys growin’.”’ This was a plan and prediction that his friend made each day and Billie let it go by without comment. He was relieved to find the wire in better shape than he had expected and in a hour they were on their way home. It was not a dark night, but over the stern as hers were bitter. ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. high moon there was a faint haze that changed the outline of familiar things and shrouded distance with mystery. They rode to the east-and a light wind blowing into their faces brought with it an imper- ‘ceptible hint of change; a chill born on the far, snow-tipped mountains and living still with a faint menace on its breath after passage across the sun warmed valley. The soft thudding of the horses’ feet on the grassy trail, the faint creak of leather and subdued jingle of spurs and bitts were sounds that melted into the soft, wild mys- tery of the night and lonesome range. Suddenly Billie’s horse, which was in the lead, swerved and plunged. Out of the shadows another horse, silent footed, was (awn for a moment across their path. They caught a fleeting glimpse of a slim figure crouched upon the animal’s withers ~—the thin features and luminous eyes; the tanglec hair golden red, even in the half light. “Little Britches!” Her eyes, full of longing, scorn and un- happiness, devoured Billie’s face. Her bitter mouth curled open mirthlessly. She threw herself forward until her face was close to his. ‘“T rode in to tell you I saw a bunch of your dogies over at Twin Rocks,’ she said. ‘I reckon it might make a nice ride for your lady friend over there an’ back. { Jaid off to tell you to-day when I saw you at the willows, but I hated to inter- rupt. I wouldn’t want to see you lose them dogies.”’ ‘““Much obliged.” Billie’s eyes were as “I reckon it was me that did th’ interruptin’ when you was cuttin’ th’ wire, Britches. You might as well ride back with us an’ tell us all about it, and where-all you’ve been stayin’.”” He pulled his ‘horse aside so that she might fall in between himself and Jack, but she flung herself back into the saddle with a quick oath, and she must have buried a cruel spur in the roan’s flank, for he leaped forward with a squeal of pain, and an instant afterward horse and rider: flashed past as suddenly as they had ap- , peared. In a moment the rush of hoofs | comieltoaks. ~ do