Adventure Magazine Cover — page 48: what you’re looking at

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

38 ‘“‘Are the other boys in the association working their claims?” “Startin’ to.” “Heard from the Finley crowd?” ‘Nothin’ much. One or two strangers have been snoopin’ around, but that’s about all.” “Did you know Jed Hill was back?” “No!”’ Tom related the happenings of the past few days. Pete’s skewered eyes looked pro- foundly thoughtful. He sucked at his pipe and spoke deliberately. “Tf you stick white paint over a leopard he’s still a leopard, ain’t he? Yeh. Well, Jed Hill’s Jed Hill. Always will be. If Hill’s in with Markum he’s figgerin’ some- thin’. We'll be right in the middle of it.” ~ “We usually are. I wonder what’s com- ing next?” The answer came sooner than expected. Tom was riding with Tennessee toward the county seat on a minor errand two days later. They met the incoming stage, whose approaching dust they had seen for miles across the sage-covered land. When Tom recognized the stage’s passengers his: jaw dropped with consternation. Markum and Wentworth, with suitcases piled about them, occupied one of the seats; and behind them was Helen with her mother. “Happy days!” exclaimed Tom. His heart leaped at sight of Helen waving to him; but the sheer idiocy of bringing her to this land made him rage. He rode up like a centaur and went close to the wheels. His hat came off as he swung around. “Helen! What brings you here?” She was fresh as a daisy in spite of the dust which grayed the bloom of her face. Clad in a brownish tailored thing, she smiled bewitchingly over her little surprize. “Richard brought me here. I made him.”’ Tom saluted her observant mother and nodded to Wentworth. Markum he ig- Yored. The promoter chewed on a clear and looked straight ahead. Helen’s expression was questioning be- hind the smile. ‘““You don’t seem very glad to see me.” “T’m glad. I’m only wondering.” “We just couldn’t hold her back,” ex- plained the mother. ‘After Richard— Mr. Wentworth—returned she was bound to see the place. I’m a little interested in 92 Adventure this mine, too, but I can not say there’s much to see.” “Richard told such interesting stories,” interposed Helen. “TI just had to come.” Tom said nothing further. What was the use of spoiling her pleasure? She was here now. It couldn’t be helped, so he turned back and rode alongside the stage. HE CAUGHT Wentworth later on ‘the empty porch of the “best” hotel and gave the financier a You Why did you ieee “Vou’ve been down here before. know what the country is. allow it?” “She insisted on coming. Besides, her mother is financially interested, you know.” “Couldn’t you stop her?” Wentworth, clad in rough business clothes —it was before the days of khaki—hesi- tated and looked at the floor. He was searching for words. “Hall, Pll be frank with you. Have you ever cared fora woman? Enough to want to give her everything she asked for? Have you ever felt willing to make even the most extreme concessions to bring her a little closer?” It was a confidence and a confession. Coming from an austere financier like Went- worth, it was remarkable; yet beneath all his dignity he was very human. Pitifully hu- man. And likable. Tom wanted no more confidences. He turned away. ‘““Yes, I’ve cared for a woman,”’ he replied gently. “Her name is Helen. I might as well tell you.” “Eh? What?” Wentworth stared. “Oh, I see. I didn’t suspect it,” Went- worth continued. “I see. Thought you were just old friends. I didn’t know. Well, Hall, it won’t make any difference or com- plications e “Tt’s all right, Wentworth. I happen to know that Helen thinks the world of you. I just wanted you to understand my full con- cern for her safety. We’d better make this trip as quickly as possible.”’ Markum and Jed Hill also held confer- ence in the back room of a dance-hall; but the text was somewhat different. Hill was trying to turn a more or less honest penny. He worked on Markum’s nerves and dangled the country’s bad reputation before him. “Listen. These friends of mine are pretty reckless fellers, Markum. I ain’t sure CO MICLOOKS ©