Argosy All-Story Weekly, October 25, 1924 — page 112: what you’re looking at

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

| Beith By JOHN HOLDEN around from one construction camp to another was Finnerty more sur- prised. He wanted to pull his freight, and Alice Maloney did not want to let him go. “ But why?” asked the puzzled navvy. “You don’t need me any more than a mule needs wings. You got lots of good men. Your contract is comin’ along fine.” “°T isn’t because of your work that I want you to stay.” Blarney was in the lady’s tone and enticement was in her eye. She was a plump and pretty creature, amaz- ingly competent, too, and the fact that since the demise of her husband she was the own- er of a fine outfit in no way detracted from the charm of her personality. There were many men—contractors, foremen, and such Ne in his ten years of knocking important persons—who would have given much for a bit of her blarney. “Why, then?” persisted the amazed pick-and-shovel manipulator. ‘“T can’t tell you to-day, Finnerty, but later on [ will.” The undersized and by no means hand- some Irishman scratched his rec with a toil-stiffened finger and wrinkled his brick-colored forehead in unwonted thought. No good woman had ever wanted him to stay anywhere. He knew little about the creatures and hitherto had cared less. A change of jobs, an occasional spree, a soul-satisfying fight; these had been the spice of his commonplace existence. ““ Well—” he wavered. ‘‘ Fine,” said the widow. ‘“ Back to the 102 CORICLOO© thatch | (C@