Adventure Magazine Cover, August 18, 1921 — page 95: what you’re looking at

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

To Shed Blood “Tt seems incredible,” said the superin- tendent slowly. ‘And yet I saw it with my own eyes. I know it’s true. Then there’s Bissel and Watriss and Sperry, all rounded up and in proper hands; and the bundle of cash safely on its way again.” “T’m glad,” observed Tom, ‘‘that you found the evening interesting and worth while. As I promised, we spied upon the wicked and we ourselves did not stray from the narrow way.” “I wouldn’t have missed it,” declared Munn. ‘You managed it wonderfully well. You displayed great observation—great ability.” He paused to regard Crane , 44 2 nN ee fees NSD — it . (: i! ‘ TO SHED 89 attentively. ‘The E. W. & T. needs men of ability.” ““Most roads do,” mumbled Tom. Munn all at once leaned back and laughed aloud. Then abruptly he got up and walked around his desk to where the some- what surprized Tom sat. His hand fell on Crane’s shoulder. “Son,” said the superintendent, ‘“‘you’re a winner. You called the turn! Leave San Marcos if you want. But I’m offering you that better job!” “So?”’ said Tom, now grinning himself. “Sure!” said Munn. ‘And you're going toaccept. You’re coming in here with me!”’ BLOOD * & CONRAD BERCOVICI - «Mb, Author ef “Viad’s Son,” “The Bear-Tamer’s Daughter,’ etc. WAS eighteen years old and had been disappointed in my first love. I had been shamelessly betraved: amu for Rita, my sister’s best-friend, who came to play four-hand piano arrangements with me almost daily, became engaged to my oldest brother when I had just mustered sufficient courage and decided to declare my- self toher. For weeks and weeks I had secret- ly rehearsed the little speech I intended to deliver impromptu and then, instcad of that, I had to offer my congratula- tions. I shall never forget the roguish smile of the treacherous woman when she kissed me that night. The mockery in her eye, the patronizing voice, and the laughter of my sister when Rita said to me— “But you must continue to play four- hand arrangements with me or I shall break the engagement with your brother.” My brother too laughed giddily at first, but my eyes sobered him and, putting his arms around me, he said, “Poor boy!” and I could see that he was angry with his fian- cée for having played the game so unfairly with me. The others thought that Ritahad been verv clever. It was an open secret in the house that she had been exchanging love notes with my brother in the last year. Only my sister was fooled. She did not know of the mat- ter until my brother announced the en- gagement. Because of some family affair the love between the two had had to be kept unknown from the others. * This is an Off-the-Trail Story. See first contents page COmicloolks S|