Argosy All-Story Weekly, February 23, 1924 — page 69: what you’re looking at

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

MYSTERY LAND. She patted his face. -“ Channing,” she said, studying him, “you are much nicer looking than Mr. Bas- sett. Why doesn’t mother go riding with you?” “T expect she’s busy,” he answered. “Well,” she asserted, raising her head de- fiantly, “when I get strong enough I am going to go riding with you every day!” ‘““There’s Vallon,” suggested Channing. Eve shook her head. ‘“ Burns.” Another shake, this time more positive. Keating.” Eve looked into Channing’s eyes and smiled knowingly. ““Channing,” she remarked. “I know. You are just trying to annoy me. I won’t go riding with anybody but you!” “Shucks!” he said, his voige suddenly hoarse. ‘‘ We’ll sure go ridin’.” Eve’s faith in him was greater than Jane’s. And yet he had no blame for Jane; and he could not explain Midnight’s surprising ac- tion in trying to kill her. Ned Vallon, the tallest of the two punchers who had wit- nessed Midnight’s finish, was positive that the quirt was to blame. “That there hoss used to be a hell’s fire outlaw.” he said. ‘‘ He’d made the ac- quaintance of a quirt. Mebbe you ought to hev knowed thet, an’ mebbe you’d ought to hev opened yore gab to Bassett before you started to gentle him. I ain’t makin’ no clams, but I won’t be none surprised when the packin’ is all out of the bag if you find that the quirt is at the bottom of it!” But it did none of them any good to con- jecture; Channing least of all. At a stroke his relations with Jane Winthrop had been broken off. He sought no explanation from her or from Bassett; he gave no excuses for what had happened. In fact, he had no opportu- nity to present excuses. For Jane spent most of her time with Bassett. What was worse, he saw her several times riding with Bassett. Bassett had gentled a horse for her, and apparently he had done a good job of it. To get her to ride Bassett must have won her confidence. And to win her confidence after what had happened Bassett must have 227 called Jane’s attention to his, Channing’s, inefficiency. That thought made Channing writhe, because he felt he had not been to blame for Midnight’s surprising action. But Channing’s thoughts did not get him anywhere. He had become an outsider, an onlooker. And he observed that Bassett kept him away from the home ranch as much as pos- sible. pening, and he wanted to warn Jane con- cerning the character of the man who was trying to win her. But he knew only too well that since Channing suspected what was hap-- Midnight’s defection she couldn’t be ex- © pected to take his word, and if he volun- tarily offered to defame Bassett she would think he was making an effort to win back her confidence at Bassett’s expense. Bassett’s manner of late was that of the victor. Channing observed that he was wearing better clothing and that he gave more attention than formerly to his per- sonal appearance. And he appeared secret- ly amused when he met Channing, although he never mentioned Midnight. On a morning about a month after the adventure with Midnight, Channing, Vallon, and several men of the outfit were saddling their horses in the corral when Channing observed Bassett walking down the path from the ranch house toward them. Bassett came close; stood near the cor- ral fence watching men and horses. . He said nothing until the men were ready to mount, and then his voice brought them all about, facing him. “Boys,” he said, ‘I’m wantin’ to tell you somethin’.” He paused and smiled, saving a final amused glance for Channing. Then he went on: ““T reckon you all know that there’s been a lady at the house for some time. To- morrow she’ll be Mrs. Bassett. We’re goin’ away for about two weeks. When we come back you boys will get time off to celebrate. I reckon that’s all.” Again he gazed around at the men, and again he saved the final glance for Chan- ning. This time Channing did not see the amusement in Bassett’s eyes, for he was tightening one of the cinches of the saddle and his back was toward Bassett. EORIIE TOOL < G (E@) fy ay. , f Ke eA? ‘ {nea OyOR ia mae Waele nue erin aoe AP Pi NN GNCI A OM oT cing HY i + Y p pee ARTS At oe tae ae ee pial) MII AAG AU ee en oe pe Wa Ee Kier al nother 2