Argosy All-Story Weekly, Vol. 124, No. 3 — page 54: what you’re looking at

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

Se a ee i 428 ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. It did not seem to him that it was only this morning that he had left—a matter oz hours. For he had crowded much thought into those few hours, filling them with spec- ulation founded upon the possibility of his turning his back upon the Circle Star. As he rode it grew darker; so dark that he could barely see the trail, a dim, faint line that stretched ahead of him. revealed by the luminous haze from the countless cold, unwinking stars. After a time he reached-the river where he had halted for a brief time that morn- ing. He rode down the sloping bank and dismounted, letting Red King drink while he himself knelt at the edge of the stream and.drank from his cupped hands. He was on his way again presently, re- freshed, riding eagerly; and yet aware that he would be exhibiting weakness were he to appear at the Circle Star at night. He had planned to establish himself in ane of the bunda-houses after reaching the ranch, in- tending to pass the night there and to make the girl aware of his presence in the morn- ing. He was certain he would find his guest at breakfast already established on the place. Gaining the high ground that rose above the river valley, he sent Red King steadily onward. The big horse seemed to be a trifle uneasy as he reached the level; he went forward with a light, wary step, his head held high, nickering and prancing nervously. For a long time Shorty, profoundly in- terested in thoughts which did not imclude the progress of Red King did not notice this. He became aware of Red King’s ner- vousness when the animal wheeled abruptly, endeavoring to face the direction from which he had come. Thinking that thé horse had found his trail disputed by some slinking denizen of the sage, Shorty pulled sharply on the left rein, bringing Red King back to the trail, again facing west. With the movement Shorty doubled for- ward, lurching perilously. From a point far behind him—and yet not so far either— not more than hundred yards or so—came a flame-spurt, 2 whipping crash; and then a white puff of smoke that balooned up- ward to disintegrate almost instantly in the darkness. “ Rifle!” said Shorty thickly. For an instant he held hard to the sad- dle-horn with his left hand, while with his right he tried to draw the pistol at his right hip. The hand would not answer the de mands of his will; it swept the butt of the weapon, but could not grip it. a Shorty grinned sarcastically. ‘““T reckon I wasn’t watchin’ my busi- ness, King,” he sajd to the horse. ‘“ He’s got me. Blandell, most likely. Trailed me —sneakin’—I reckon—shucks! ” The exclamation was drawn from him by the knowledge. that his strength had de- serted him. He lurched heavily forward, toppled inertly to Red King’s neck, then slid headlong into the deep grass at the ani- mal’s feet. For a time there was no movement. Red King stood, looking down inquiringly at his master; then stepped backward and gently nuzzied Shorty’s body. He still stood in that position fifteen minutes later, when a horseman rode out of the darkness . and cautiously approached. ‘ For another interval there was no move- ment, and nothing happened. . Then the horseman rode closer. From his height he looked down upon the dark blot at Red King’s feet; and the dim starlight gleamed upon a heavy pistol in his right hand. Followed another interval, during which the actors in the singular drama did not move or speak. Then the rider slipped to the ground and bent over Shorty. “T reckon that settles you!” he said. A low chuckle smote Red King’s ears as the man leaped upon his horse. Red King watched horse and rider until they vanished into the darkness toward Loma. Then he again nuzzled Shorty, as though wondering why he did not get up and continue the journey. But Shorty did not move. He lay on the grass, queerly doubled; one arm _ twisted amder his head, the other outflung, limp and lax. This story will be continued in next week’s issue of the ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY, the consolidated title under which both magazines will appear hereafter as one. comiclooolkks (COL