The Argosy, Vol. 90 No. 1 — page 36: what you’re looking at

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

30 weasel. And his record showed that he could usually cajole a court into dismissing him with a reprimand. Now, he must die. In a few hours, Jere McRae would see him in Kahokia. And he was resolved not to offer Lord any leniency in return for evi- dence he might offer concerning his fellow outlaws. As McRae proceeded, he realized that his interview with Lord was to be delayed. The trail was unfit for motor travel, and he had constantly to leave his seat and attend to the machine. Finally he took some of the machinery apart. In spite of the rawness of the wind, he became so warm that he discarded his fur coat, and appeared a strange figure—neat to the extreme we call “ dapper” in his gray* business suit—on that wild strip of prairie. When he finally persuaded the car to move, it was noon and he was still far frem town. The only house visible was a home- stead shack of tarred paper. As he walked toward this place, two dogs with stiff black hair like hog-bristles rushed out. The place had an air of being inac- cessible to visitors. Evidently the occupants of the shack had moved in but recently, for a white-topped wagon stood before the front door. As McRae fought his way through tum- bleweed blown from the prairie, now and then directing an agile kick at the dogs, the strains of a violin ceased, inside. McRae had heard only an exquisite bar or two, in which the bow made a sound like whistling. He had seen this place before—on a white-hot day, just after the murder of the Kahokia sheriff, months before. Appar- ently the people who lived there received few guests, for the dogs were wild with in- dignation at the approach of the district attorney. His kicks finally forced the ill-tempered brutes to retreat, growling; and he Knocked at the door of the shack. He was answered by a tall, bony South- erner in overalls and—instead of a jumper —an ample garment of feminine cut, with lace on the sleeves. Inside the shack, Mc- Rae saw an old woman. On his former call THE ARGOSY. at the place, he had encountered neither of these persons—only a young and remark- ably pretty girl. The men held the door at an inhospitable angle, but McRae—shivering and hungry— was insistent. ‘“‘ My motor is stalled out here and I must have a place to get warm,” he said with determination. The man stepped aside in an irresolute fashion, and McRae entered the front room. Its air was close, with a strong smell of cooking that was not appetizing. After a sniff of mingled flavors, he decided not to remain and share the family dinner. “I see ’’—as he spoke, the district attorney in- dicated through the window a tall, dark red beast, with a meditative cast of feature, due to burs tangled over her eyes—‘‘ I see you have a cow tethered in front.” “That ar,” boasted her owner, ‘is a Missouri cow.” “TI thought I might get some milk.” “We uns ain’t got no milk for you, mister,’”’ the man replied—distinctly for- ~bidding, notwithstanding his lack of resolu- tion in getting rid of his caller. The old lady had taken the pipe from between two last-remaining teeth which leaned toward each other. “We uns ain’t got around to milk yit this mawnin’ early. But say, mister, could you uns use some buttermilk?” The man flung the garrulous old woman a look of sullen reproof, which McRae pre- tended not to see. He said he was especial- ly fond of buttermilk, sat down and drew off his gloves. An alarm clock ticked brazenly in the room. Finally the Missourian remarked: “It’s a snowin’.” The old lady was just returning from her kitchen, with a large goblet of buttermilk. “'Ya-as, it shore is a snowin’. I ‘lowed to Ed this mawnin’ it were a layin’ off to snow, and Ed, he ‘lowed that were just my foolish talk. En ’Airy, she ‘lowed it sholy wouldn’t snow, she ‘lowed, up and down they wa’n’t no sign of snow. But I allus know when it lays off to snow, by the feel of my bunion. It commences to—” Her son had been waiting his chance to check her. He fiercely interposed: oO comicbool< CO