The Argosy, Vol. 76, No. 3 — page 53: what you’re looking at

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

GOLD GRABBERS. be taken away when there was enough to make it worth while, retorted, run into bars, and sold?” | A’ quick, light footfall was heard, at that moment, and the men turned. O’Hara shifted the gleam of the lantern, and the slender, erect figure of Mariquita Mallory was etched clearly against the somber background of the oaks. She came steadily, bravely on, her wide-brimmed hat pushed back and the rebellious tresses twisting about her forehead and throat. Her face was set in resolute lines. A quirt swung from her slender wrist, and her horse could be seen dimly in the distance. “This is visitors,” said she. you are doing?” . O’Hara stepped forward. With a courtly gesture he removed his hat. “Miss Mariquita Mallory?” he in- quired in a voice as soft as any note of his flute. Her large eyes swerved to him won- deringly, and she inclined her head. “‘ And these are your premises, the place where you live?” 66 Yes.”’ “Then be so kind as to bear with the lot of us. The man there,” and he flashed the lantern upon the prisoner, “has been caught takin’ goold from the Mariquita mill. He led us here, saying he’d show us where he’d cached some more of it. And, faith, he has. T'was under the adobe wall. Bad cess to the blackguard for hiding his loot on the property of honest folks!” The girl stood like a statue. Her gaze passed from O’Hara, encountered Bremerton, then fell on the sheriff, and finally rested on the pile of amal- gam. O’Hara threw the light from point to point as the wide, wondering eyes traveled over the oddly assorted group. ‘That — amalgam — was there, under the wall?” The words were quick and breath- less, and they ended in what was al- hardly a time for “May I ask what found 528 most a sob. A gloved hand arose to the white throat and the fingers closed. “Be sure, Miss Mallory,” said O’Hara hastily, “ you have nothing to fear at all.” “Why — why should I have any- thing to fear?” “You know me, I think, Miss Mal- lory,’ spoke up Ransom with a touch of sternness. “I’m the sheriff. If you can tell us anything about this half- breed, now is the time.”’ The hand dropped from the throat and the lithe figure straightened. The head went up, the shoulders back, and the girl faced the sheriff squarely. “Has the half-breed told you any- thing about me?” she demanded. “He says you shot at Bremerton from the arroyo, and he—” “Man, man,” burst wildly from O’Hara, ‘‘ what was the need o’ that?” With measured steps Mariquita Mal- lory approached Chombo, where he stood at Ransom’s side. Quick as thought her right hand flew up and the quirt fell stingingly across the half- breed’s face. With bosom heaving and eyes flashing she leaped back. “Say it again!” she cried. “ Here, before me, say it again! ” Hate and rage and pain twisted Chombo’s villainous face. “Oh, will you say it?” breathed the girl fiercely. ‘‘ There is no one to help Mariquita Mallory, no one but Mari- quita Mallory herself. A woman’s good name—what is that to a prowling dog in these hills? What is it to any of you?” Her flaming eyes swept the faces of the nfen. ‘‘ Does it mean nothing to me, to be lied about, and slandered and my name made a by-word on the lips of honest men? Shame to you that you listen to the wretch, and double-shame that you leave it to me to drive the lie down his miserable throat. But I can do it.” She whirled back to Chombo again, and once more her arm went up and the quirt-thongs trailed over her shoulder. “Was it true? Answer!” COMicdoo S CO@