Argosy All-Story Weekly, July 1, 1922 — page 35: what you’re looking at

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

HOPELESS HOMESTEAD. sire to become a homesteader was a bit strange because she was decidedly not the type of woman who usually undertakes the task of converting wild land into a pro- ducing farm. She was a bit mysterious, and mystery always interested Kemp. In the first place, she was very good look- ing, and it is only natural that a manly, upstanding bachelor of Kemp’s masterful type should look at a prepossessing woman. Her features were regular, her complexion alluringly pink and white, her large eyes expressive and soft and kindly. was that of a city woman, and it fitted her well developed figure to perfection. In years she was probably in her late twenties, and it was plain that she had not wasted her life in idle pleasure. There was about her an air of competence, of large tasks un- dertaken and achieved, and yet she looked as thoroughly feminine as the most feather brained flapper in Rodiscaw. She was ac- companied by Jake Gauthier, the local homestead locator. ‘‘ Name please?”? Robinson asked her in the customary manner as he poised his pen over an application blank. ““ Alice Carter,’ said the woman. Kemp looked at her even more closely than before. He had always liked the name Alice. ‘‘ Miss or Mrs.?” “ Mrs.” “Must be a widow,” thought Kemp. ‘“ Have you seen this quarter section that you wish to take up as a homestead, Mrs. Carter?” the land agent queried. cc Yes.”’ “And have found that it answers your purpose?”’ “ Perfectly.” Jake Gauthier looked at her in a per- plexed manner, but said nothing. ‘All right—the legal description of it, please.” She gave it. Robinson began to write, then suddenly stopped. “Why — that quarter section — I know all about it—it’s no good,” he stated. “‘ Just what I told her,” said Gauthier. “‘ Nevertheless it’s the quarter section that I want,” Mrs. Carter insisted. i Her attire. 825 a Constable Kemp moved up a little closer to the counter. The mystery, instead of clearing, as he anticipated, was becoming deeper. ‘But I don’t understand,” Robinson protested. ‘It’s absolutely worthless for farming. It’s nothing but the bald and rocky top of a high hill that can be seen up and down the river for miles. And, so far as I know, it’s useless for every other pur- pose, too. Even if there were minerals or oil upon it, which there isn’t, those rights are reserved to the government. If it’s mere scenery you want, for a summer home, you can get better land that also overlooks the river.” “ T’ve explained all that,’’ said Gauthier. “We walked all over the place, and I pointed out to her how it isn’t worth a hoot for anything at all.” Mrs. Carter assumed a patient expres- sion. “I appreciate your kindness, gentlemen, ‘In warning me against an act that seems folly to you,” she said. ‘I understand perfectly why you think I am throwing away my rights on worthless land, but it happens that I am not. I realize that only a few acres of this quarter section can be farmed, that it is inaccessible except by water, that it is all rocky and bleak and ugly, that I won’t acquire rights to any- thing except the soil, that I can get just as good a view on better land, that, in fact, the place appears not to have one single redeeming quality. And yet it is precisely what I want.” ‘“‘Sounds a bit mysterious,” commented Robinson. ‘ Do you mind telling us what you want it for?” “T’d rather not,” replied the woman. Kemp’s brow was furrowed in thought. “Tf you'll pardon me for interrupting,” he stated, “I think I know some good use that the place might be put to.” Mrs. Carter seemed a bit startled. She looked at him expectantly. - “ What?” queried Robinson. “ Well, I’ve heard talk of an airplane line to the oil fields on the Mackenzie River. Perhaps the lady wishes to use her home- stead for a landing place.” Mrs. Carter looked relieved. comicloool C©