Argosy All-Story Weekly, 4 February 1922 — page 25: what you’re looking at

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

oe Seg ten ae - TWO-GUN SUE. Lee somewhere’s, then, and we was just rid- in’ out to find you when out of the ranch- house comes a little ole cuss madder’n a bobcat, with a yarn about bein’ held up by a—a—”’ Words evidently failed the foreman and again Susanna supplied them. “A woman road agent. You knew, of course, that it was I?” “T suspicioned it before he’d said ten words, of course, after them hosses had come in, and the look on Miss Sylvia’s face when she follered him out would have told me, anyways.” He paused as they turned in at the gates and added: “I opine the boys would’ve strung him up, but there warn’t time.” “No, Wes,” Susanna replied gravely. “These people are our guests as long as they remain at the Circle Six, and they must be treated with every courtesy, so please pass the word on to the boys. When we get Lee into the house Link or one of the others must go in the car here with this man to Dexter in order to show him the road and bring out Dr. Rankin.” “Tf the doc ain’t off on one of his boot- leggin’ trips or hittin’ up what’s left from the last one,’”’ Wes responded skeptically. “‘ He’s the only one nearer than Mammon City, anyways, so we'll have to chance it.” Briggs had brought the car to a gentle halt before the door of the ranch-house and as he descended and opened the ton- neau door the light streamed forth, and Sylvia’s voice quavered: “Oh, Sue, is that you? Has something happened to Lee? There are some per- fectly wonderful people here from New York City and they told me of the dreadful thing you had done—” “Go back,” retorted Susanna briefly. “Lee is hurt, but not badly. Keep those ‘people out of the way. I'll call you when I need you.” ““T guess Lee is my brother, too! ” ‘There was indignant protest very close to tears in Sylvia’s voice, but she retreated, neverthe- less, leaving the door wide, and Briggs be- gan tentatively: “Tf you'll let me carry him in, ma’am—” “T opine we can ’tend to that without es your help, young feller!” interrupted Wes, at al « at. = a Sa ent —s “eta -,. — a Oe —<— = ope Sr . SO a a ta — sa - ae — FRESE a. ee ee ~~ on their bronchos, but again Susanna inter- argument was most effective! -and then hesitated. “ ot have Pen ‘ad jealously, as the rest of the escort drew up vened. eer “Of course you and the boys can, Wes, — but I told you before that if it hadn’t been — for this young man’s help and kindness ie could never have brought Lee home. Let — him give you a hand and we'll put Lee on the couch i in the living-room till Dr. Rankin comes.’ Together Wes and Briggs carried the still unconscious boy into the spacious room — while the punchers dismounted and crowd- ed about the doorway, muttering in subdued fashion among themselves. Then the grim- — ly, taciturn, Link Dole started off t= Briggs for Dexter, the punchers turned their bronchos into the corral and made their way _ to the cook-house, and Susanna was lett alone with her brother. But not for long. Even as she bent eas = him to moisten the bandage about his head — a quick but light step sounded behind her, — s and the little, elderly, grizzled man < peared. = “Tt seems that we owe you an apology, madam.” He spoke in a subdued, dry tone, “ My name is Dacon Acheson. I trust your _ brother has not been severely injured. Had _ you explained we should have been only too — giad to take you back to the scene of Sez er—accident.”’ “ And subject your family to the possi- bility of a real little shooting party?” Susan- na asked coldly. ‘“ As I remember, I wasn’t _ given the opportunity for an explanation of | any sort.” “That was entirely the fault of Auveiia®: —my wife!” Acheson said quickly, but still in that subdued tone with a side glance at the still figure on the couch. ‘“ She has a— = @ most positive disposition. However, you — will admit, my dear young lady, that your — I understand — that my chauffeur has gone for a bet tees a to attend your brother. My object for intruding upon you is to offer my services if I*can be of use to you in any way.” ae “Thank you.” Susanna added pointed- ly: “I hope that my sister has made you~ and your family comfortable?” eg ‘““ Oh, quite!” he hastened to assure | a om yf i} ori m ye Ps Neg I~ + —<S : ee Ea eee ENDG ae FS Sean 0 0