Argosy All-Story Weekly, October 25, 1924 — page 113: what you’re looking at

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

= FORTUNE FAVORS THE KNAVE. bunk house with you, now, like a good man, and if it’s another blanket or any such little thing that you’re wanting, I'll see that Tommy Dove, the timekeeper, takes it to you.” So Finnerty remained on the job. But not with the same degree of content- ment as formerly. Not only did the mys- tery of the thing give him no peace of mind, but news of his conversation with the widow circulated in the camp and inspired comments. “Ts it one of these here sheiks you are, Fin?” “How did you come to make a hit with her, and you so homely?” His mates argued the matter in his hear- ing. ‘““’T ain’t always the handsome face that cops the prize.” “ Wish she’d give me a tumble like that.” Finnerty didn’t object to such compli- ments at first. Rather enjoyed them, in fact. But they became a bit wearing after a while. Could the widow be struck on him, as the boys hinted? Ridiculous. Alice Maloney was as far above him as the moon. And yet if she wasn’t, why did she want him hanging around? When the suspense be- came unbearable, Finnerty entered her office again. She greeted him cordially. “°T is glad to see you I am. Is every- thing satisfaetory now?” “No,” said Finnerty. “I hear there’s a chance to get on as straw boss up the line. I’d kinda like to give the job a whirl.” “Vou a straw boss?” She seemed pleased. “T can lick any man who won’t do what I tell him.” With becoming modesty. “ And you not a big man.” Admiration colored the lady’s tone. “‘Bieness ain’t everything, ma’am.” “Indeed it isn’t.” She appraised him thoughtfully. “I can give you a job as straw boss.” Finnerty gasped. Instead of clearing up the mystery he merely had deepened it. Also her action revived the kidding. “J want a raise when you start to run the camp, Fin.” 103 “Remember ’t was me that got you your stand-in.” “Can I be your best man?” His tormentors desisted when Finnerty offered to lick them all, one at a time; but that didn’t solve the mystery of Alice Ma- loney’s interest in him. Gradually the little Irishman came to half believe that the widow’s interest might indeed be personal, as the kidders claimed. What if he was rough and unhandsome? Mike Maloney had been the same. At any rate he found himself becoming interested in the widow. ‘The more he thought about her, the better he liked her. She certainly would make a fine wife for any man. He’d marry her in a minute if that was what she had in her mind. Yes, sirree! It was, therefore, in an ecstasy of min- gled joy and apprehension that Finnerty obeyed the widow’s next summons to her office. He entered and stood in front of her counter, nervously twisting his cap in his hands. “You want to see me, ma’am?” “Yes, Finnerty.” She rose in a busi- nesslike manner. “ At last I can tell you why I wished you to remain here.” “T’m glad to hear that.” “‘T’m sorry to say, Finnerty, that I made a slight mistake.” Finnerty held his breath. “‘ Ye-es,” he muttered apprehensively. “You see, I got a man-wanted circular. The picture of the escaped murderer looked just like you, so naturally I wanted to keep you on the job till I could write to the po- lice. But they tell me you’re not the man, so if you want to leave the camp, go ahead.” The silence that followed this hideous revelation was broken by a hoarse guffaw outside the open window. “ ‘Ye-es, ma’am,” mumbled Finnerty. He stumbled toward the door, but the widow was not through with him. “ Are you going to stay?” Finnerty’s mind was too chaotic to real- ize what he was saying. “Yes, ma’am.” Outside his companions were lying in wait. COMICLOOOkKsS (E@)