Argosy, Vol. 118, No. 4 — page 26: what you’re looking at

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

A496 “Oh, then I don’t know you. your pardon.”’ Lawler grinned. harm done.”’ He bowed again, noting that she looked intently at him, her eyes still wide, and filled with something he could not fathom. And when half way up the stairs he looked back, curious, subtly attracted to the woman, he saw her standing in the doorway, ready to go out, watching him over her shoulder. He laughed, and opened the door of oa Warden’s office. | Warden was sitting at his desk. He turned at the sound of the door opening, and faced Lawler inquiringly. Perhaps in Lawler’s eyes there still re- mained a trace of the cold passion that had seized him in the schoolhouse; it may have been that what Lawler had heard of Gary Warden was reflected in his gaze—a doubt of Warden’s honorableness. Or perhaps in Lawler the resident buyer observed signs which told him that before him stood a man of uncommon character. At any rate, Warden was conscious of a subtle pulse of antagonism; a quick dis- like—and jealousy. Warden could not have told what had aroused the latter emotion, though he was subconsciously aware that it had come when he had noted the rugged, manly strength of Lawler’s face; that the man was attrac- tive, and that he admired him despite his dislike. That knowledge aroused a dull rage in him. His cheeks flushed, his eyes reflected it. But Warden’s smile was engaging, wel- coming. He managed it so cleverly that many men, watching him, might have been deceived. In Lawler’s keen eyes, however, glowed understanding—a knowledge of Warden’s character that vindicated the things he had heard about the man—the tentative sugges- tions that Warden was not a = suc- cessor to Lefingwell. That knowledge, though, would not have bothered him had he net seen in Warden’s eyes something that seemed to offer him a personal affront. As quickly as Warden had veiled his eyes from Lawler,-the latter I beg ‘“T reckon there’s no THE ARGOSY. had seen the dislike in them, the antago- nism, and the rage that had stained his cheeks. He had come to Warden’s office with an open mind; now he looked at the man with a saturnine smile in which there was amused contempt. not measure up to Jim Lefingwell’s size, as Blackburn had suggested. Therefore, aware that he could not meet this man on the basis of friendliness that had distinguished all his relations with Jim Lefingwell, Lawler’s voice was crisp and businesslike: “< You’re Guy Warden?” At the latter’s short, affirmative nod, Lawler continued: : “Tm Kane Lawler, of the Circle L. I’ve come to make arrangements with you about buying my cattle. above the average, but I’m keeping my word with Jim Lefingwell, and turning them in at the market price.” ‘““ That’s twenty-five dollars, delivered at the railroad company’s corral, in town here,” said .Warden. He looked straight at Lawler, his face expressionless except for the slight smile that tugged at the corners of his mouth— which might have been indicative of vin- dictiveness or triumph. a Thirty,” smiled Lawler. ‘“ That was the price Lefingwell agreed to pay.” : Warden appeared to be blandly amused. ‘“Lefingwell agreed to pay thirty, you say? Well, Lefingwell always was a little reckless. That’s why my company asked for his resighation. But if you have a written contract with Lefingwell—in which it ap- pears that Lefingwell acted for thegcom- Assuredly the new bpyer did: I’ve got eight _ thousand head—good clean stock. They’re pany, why, of course we’ll have to take your stock at_the contract price. it, 1f you please.” Let me see “There was no written contract; I had Jim Lefingwell’s word—which was all I ever needed.” ‘“‘ Lefingwell’s word,” smiled Warden. ‘‘ Unfortunately, a man ’s word is not con- clusive proof.” “Meaning that Lefingwell was lying when he told you he’d agreed to pay thirty dollars for my stock this fall?” OO (CC) S (CO)