Argosy All-Story Weekly, Vol. 124, No. 3 — page 52: what you’re looking at

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

426 the face of the man who sat on the black horse; it was evident that he appreciated the delicacy of the situation and had per- fect confidence in his ability to keep his promise to prevent the other men from interfering with Shorty. Also, there was that in his manner which told that he was giad to seize this opportunity to harass _ the members of the group. Into the silence which had followed his wotds he poured more. They flowed from his lips in a slow drawl, deliberate, distinct, convincing: ‘You yaps with itchin’ fingers are gom’ to be mighty careful how you move ’em. ¥’d admire to bust you-all wide open—an’ then some. Because why? Because you- all have been so damned hospitable to a stranger. I’m a-yearnin’ to make a proper reply to Blandell’s mvitation to throw m with you-all. Ill make it rf one of you scum wiggles one of his sky-hooks a quar- ter of an inch!” Shorty threw a grim smile at his friend. He left the building and walked to where Blandell sat, lookmg down at him. Blan- _ dell was recovering; he suddenly got to his feet at Shorty’s command, and _ stood, watching the latter with level, truculent gaze. | Standing in front of Blandell, Shorty slowly sheathed his guns. There was: an odd smile on his hps and into his eyes had comg an expression that caused Blandell to look sharply at him and then draw back “ Pm anim’ to see what sort of a man you are, Blandell.” Shorty’s voice was smooth, quiet; he betrayed no passion; m Im fact, he seeméd to be merely persistent- Py curious. “When I camp at Kelso’s water-hole I meet a lady. I’ve found out since that her dad owns the Circle Star. Her hoss had run Off an’ water-hole, hopin’ somebody would find her there. It happened to be me. You come along after a while an’ want to take her *thome. She prefers to ride home with a ' gentleman named Taylor Nelson—the same bein’ yours truly—which has got a nick- name, ‘ Shorty’ . ‘So far there ain’t nothin’ to quarrel she’d hoofed it to the Kelso ARGOSY-ALLESTORY WEEKLY. over. It’s so damm dark at the water-hole that I can’t see your face, an’ you can't telt how good lookin’ / am. Howsomever, you know I’m a better lookin’ guy than you, because the lady has chose me as her escort —refusin’ you. “That gets you sort of riled, an’ you say things to the lady that no man ever says to a decent woman. I go for you, figurm’ to teach you better manners—an’ you try to draw on me. I convince you that tryin’ to draw on me is a heap fooltish—when I’m close enough to tack a wallop onto you. “'That’s once. To-day I fmd you devil- in’ a dog—forcin’ a quarrel with him. The dog, not knowi’ your intentions, an” figur- in’ to take his own part, claws you.up con- siderable. You want to kill hrm. I come along an’ suggest that killin’ the dog ain’t proper, an’ you try to draw on me again— forgettin’ the lesson you got last night. “ Blandell, I ain’t no trouble-hunter. I reckon no man can say I ever started any- thing. But once somethin’ is started I usu- ally tag along untd it’s finished. Leavin’ a job half done aim’t in my Ime. ‘ Blandell, I reckon you know what I mean. You an’ me ain’t goin’ to pack no grudge. What’s between us is goin’ to be settled one way or another, right now. I’m figurin’ to hang around this neck of the woods for a Irttle while, an’ I don’t want no guy yankin’ at his leather that sugges- tive every trme I see him. Go get your gun. She'll go right clever yet—I didn’t burt her by kickin’ her. Grab it an’ show me how you can sing it. I won’t go for mme until you get set.” Blandell had not removed his gaze from Shorty while the latter had been talking. He had seemed to think that Shorty was not entirely in earnest, for part of the time there had been an incredulous steer on his Tips. Now his gaze wavered and he drew a quick breath, while his face slowly whit~- ened. He made no move to get his weapon, but stood, his hands hanging imply, watch- ming Shorty. “Not havm’ any rapid thoughts, eh, Blandell?” jeered Shorty. “Tl do my shootin’ when I feel like it,” mumbled Blandell. EGOHMIGOOOKSHEO