Argosy All-Story Weekly, October 25, 1924 — page 26: what you’re looking at

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

16 that if the man’s face had not long since been burned a somber red, it must have now appeared ashen gray. That deadly pallor under the sunburned ' skin gave him the strange bearing of a graven image. He sat motionless as some Indian idol, rugged and unrelenting as though carved from granite. Aleck pon- dered on the finality to which this cata- clysm must lead. He did not dare break the silence which pressed upon them like a fog. “He'll learn!” The colorless clamor of Parmelee’s voice aroused Aleck like some wild alarm. ‘‘ Shouldn’t wonder it would be best to ferget it a spell,” he suggested cheerily. The old man ignored him. 3 ‘He'll learn what it means to deal with Bart Parmelee,” he reiterated; and his voice was raised impetuously. ‘“ He’ll learn right soon. Now!” “Tell be different in the mornin’.” Aleck was conscious of the absurdity of at- tempting to soothe this man. As _ well soothe an enraged rattlesnake. But he smiled good-humoredly while within him he fought an emotion he had not known be- fore. “T won’t want supper,” said the old man next. And he arose from his chair. Aleck would have lent him a hand, but it was brushed roughly aside. “ Coddlin’!” old Parmelee muttered. “The kid’s a damn young idiot!” He strode precariously to the door, and on the threshold paused to turn and rudely bar Aleck from following. “Save yo’re coddlin’ fer him!” he rasped vindictively. “ You favor him!” It was an accusation. ‘“ You'll suffer fer that. If a hawse acts onery, I break him. Men I break likewise. You'll see yo’re David broken now!” And turning he passed into the house. Aleck for the second time that day sallied forth with the black mare at his pony’s side to seek David. An unquenchable emotion within him demanded that he do this, al- though his reason struggled with it vainly. David had need of friendship, and it was demanded of him that he find the boy out and provide him with that friendship’s aid. ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. The high emotions of the love that touches comradeship and a loyalty to something which the boy possessed but which Aleck could not understand, ran riot in his being, and the faithful fellow trotted forth to find his friend with a troubled heart that was not for a moment concerned with himself. He didn’t find him. He returned to the — ranch with the black mare and sat alone, playing dolefully with the puppy while from the bunkhouse emanated a medley of noises which proclaimed that the few men which the man hunt had left on the ranch were engaged.in a round of poker. For the first time in his life Aleck discovered that this pastime was not, after all, an irresistible one. The noise in the bunkhouse had ceased, the punchers, having retired, and Aleck was still sitting, sleepily now, in a rocking chair by the ancient fireplace, when David re- turned to the ranch. “ Dave!” Aleck’s voice came unreason- ably from the throat. He hadn’t realized how troubled he had been. “ Where you been?” ‘Walkin’. Where’s Dad?” * Sleepin’, I reckon. He turned in soon’s you went. You goin’ to make peace talk?” ‘““No.” David spoke very sharply. His manner was always distinct, and he used few words. Aleck had anticipated that terse “ no.” Aleck nodded, frowning. “Shore.” The word rumbled in _ his throat. “I been thinkin’ a heap.” “Me, too. Dad said they’re stringin’ Preest up to-night. That right?” Aleck jerked up his head. “JT heard him give it out,” he said. ‘“Dasent’s got him rounded up. Westock tried to butt in. Yo’re dad sent out Snuff Tansey to call off Westock an’ proceed with the necktie party. He wants it run orf to- night.” David turned to the fireplace and gazed into its wide, empty maw. “ That’s bad,” he said. A rattle of hoofs answered him; hoof beats which clinked on the stones and brought up with a clatter on the sunbaked terrace outside. The door flew open and admitted a hard-ridden cow-puncher, cov- LA CONMUC NOOLKS (F@)