Argosy All-Story Weekly, July 1, 1922 — page 139: what you’re looking at

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

THE GUN-FANNER. “Tell me what your game is or else feht. Il] fight yom here and now—iI am not afraid of your greasy six-gun.” ‘‘My game is this: a dozen men are waiting ready and eager to lynch you—for stealing Hazen’s horses and for stealing this girl. I believe I have it in my power to free you.” “You say — you can — free him?” the girl cried, bewildered. ‘“ Will you do that —you 3” “‘ Of course I will not free you as an act of friendship,” Meakin said. “iI am look- ing for my own particular gain.” “Which is what, Meakin?” Triggers asked laconically. ‘“‘T have had a certain amount of chance before to wim this girl. You, Triggers, have come into my place. it appears to me—just on a moment’s glance which can’t be counted on too surely—that any chance I had with her has been snapped up by you. You came into town as if to shoot the place up. The townspeople hid their heads with fear. You show yourself to be a great man with great physical power. You bull- doze them into letting you enter the rodeo. You win—I will admit that. Then—tak- ing it for granted that the girl really bad given her word that she would herself be the prize of the redeo— you think you have a claim on her. You go to her ranch and abduct her—which is a romantic thing to do. Nan Harvess is a girl with a nature which I have been given to understand is very romantic indeed. She tikes the idea of a knight on horseback riding mto town, winning, striking fear, taking what he wants —which happens to be the prettiest gil.” ‘Are you trying to build up in my mind the idea that Nan Harvess is in love with mer?” ' “Not necessarily in love with you. But you have won enough ground so that I can consider you my rival.” Meakin turned to the girl. “ {s that right or am I—” “What is your game?” the girl inter- rupted. “T want .Cal Triggers here to withdraw. That’s what my game is. If he withdraws and promises never to molest you again, and if you say to me fairly that you will give me a chance and let everything be just 929 as it was before the rodeo—then I will frea him.” “What power have you to free him?” the girl asked, almost belligerently. “ You say there are a dozen men ready to lynch him, surrounding this hut.” ‘““T have a power over some of them, There is a way of escape from the others.” “You have not asked me my answer,” Cal said, coming from around the table. “‘ The girl is making this bargain,” Mea- “Damned if she is! I am the one to make it, and before I consent to give her up to you—just to save my own hide—Pil rot in hell!” The girl took Cal’s arm as he stepped forward, his fists clenched. ‘‘No! WNo!! You must not fight! You can’t fight!” she cried desperately. ‘‘ You must go!” Saul Meakin had stepped back to the door. He again took out his six-gun, cov- ered Cal, and with the other hand beckoned to his two henchmen who were waiting out- side for the signal. “These two men,” Meakin said, turning to Cal, “ will take you to the eastern end of the cafion, put you on your horse, and wait until they see you disappear across the little divide. If you are without food for the desert ride they will stake you. You will have your horse, your food, your water flask. The only thing you will not have is your gun.” “Tf you do this, I swear by God that I will come back,” Triggers said. “Your word has nothing to do with this bargain. It is up to the girl. If she gives her word that she will keep you out of her life then { am satisfied.” “What will you do when he comes back?” the girl asked trenchantly. ‘“‘T won't let that fear come into the bar- gain,” Meakin said. “It’s up to you to answer.” “But aren’t you thinking at all of what will happen afterward?” Nan stepped up to Meakin and looked into his eyes. “Is this an honest offer? Are you really free- ing Triggers?” ‘“‘ Why, of course I am.” “isn’t there some one posted there at the upper end of the cafion? Aren’t you comicloool C©