The Argosy, Vol. 76, No. 3 — page 22: what you’re looking at

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

492 “You and your father are enemies of Deane’s, and so of mine,” he an- swered. “I don’t intend to begin my work by placing myself under even a slight obligation to you. horse and go away. I can shift for myself.” ; She stepped back into the moonlight. Her right hand lifted to the level of her eyes and a small revolver glim- mered in her fingers. “ Mount!” she ordered. “ This will settle the obligation business. If neces- sary, I can force you to be sensible. Mount and ride to your hotel, and leave the horse as J told you.” The gleam in her eyes matched the silvery sheen of the leveled weapon. Her erect, graceful figure, the moon- beams shimmering on her hair and on the rose in its thick coils, the beautiful face framed strongly in lights and shadows, and over all her dominant and resolute bearing, conspired to form a picture that stirred Bremerton strangely. What a woman! One moment soft and gentle.and pleading, and the next moment fiery with determination and enforcing her commands at the muzzle of a revolver! The novelty, the inconsistency of it all broke over him presently, and he laughed. Nevertheless, he lifted a foot to the stirrup and climbed weakly into the saddle. He rode away, leaving Mariquita there in the moonlight. The last he saw of her, the revolver and the hand that held it swung at her side, and he fancied a smile wreathed her shadowy lips. It was midnight when Bremerton dismounted in front of his hotel and walked unsteadily into the office. The night clerk gasped and stared at him wonderingly. His clothing was torm and earth- stained and in disorder, and his face was puffed and bruised, and a red- dened bandage was swathed about his forehead. | ‘The key to seventeen,” said Brem- erton, bracing himself at the counter. ’ Take your - THE ARGOSY. v4 - “Great guns!” murmured the clerk. ‘What has happened to you?” He had not been on duty when Bremerton arrived, and he hastily ran his eye down the page of the open register. “I should think, Mr. Bremerton, that you need a doctor. Let me help you up-stairs and then I will call a—” “I can get upstairs alone,” cut in Bremerton; “‘ and don’t bother about a doctor. I’m not in such bad shape as you seem to think.” He took his key and started for the stairs. “‘In about five minutes,” he added, halting a moment, “send up a boy with a pitcher of ice-water and some telegraph-blanks.”’ “If you have been beaten up and robbed by thugs, we ought to get the police busy.” | ““T haven’t been robbed. Just had a little hard luck, that’s all; and I don’t want the matter to go any further. It’s a case of least said sooriest mended. Understand?” ~ “Certainly, Mr. Bremerton, but—”’ Bremerton waited for no more, but slowly ascended the stairs to his room. He was weak and dizzy, and after he had snapped on the electric light he fell sprawling on the bed. His aches and pains seemed to have been lost in a paralyzing nausea that filled his body. Had he not been in the pink of phy- sical condition, hardy and robust from vears of wandering through the un- tracked wilderness, that beating must surely have been the death of him. Breathing hard, and with every muscle relaxed, he lay on his back staring up at the ceiling. The Mallorys had taken this method to frighten him away from the Mari- quita Mine. They little knew the tem- per of the man they were dealing with. So far from intimidating him, his reso- lution to help Deane was merely strengthened. For years he had breasted the blows of circumstance. The more difficulties he encountered and conquered the greater his pride’ in any success. he COMicdoo S CO@