Argosy All-Story Weekly — page 167: what you’re looking at

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

TWIXT THE CUP AND THE LIP. a stir. The news that such a person was present and had called on George Dawson soon reached old man Hopkins’s store, the favorite gathering place of those whose daily life seemed a combination of tobacco chew- ing, whittling and ideas of how to conduct the affairs of state properly. “I tell you another sucker is about to gain wisdom at the expense of good dollars,” drawled Hopkins as he shifted his quid and missed the sawdust box with a stream of amber colored juice. ‘An’ that ain’t the funny part,” he con- tinued. “I went over to the hotel and Stokes told me that the fellow’s name was Stanton and he had something to do with an automobile business. He didn’t know what he was doing here, but said he spent all his time with Dawson. And when I went over a little later this man Stanton was gone and another fellow was asking about George.” The eyes of his hearers opened in surprise at this statement. “Yep,” he affirmed at the questioning looks. “ Said he wanted to buy a lot of land around here. Introduced himself to all of us. Said his name was Dugan, repre- senting a large lumber concern.” “Here comes George now,” spoke up a bewhiskered individual, and all eyes fol- lowed his gesture. Dawson entered the store and nodded to his fellow citizens. Dropping a coin on the counter he called for his favorite brand of tobacco. “I say, George,” spoke up Hopkins as he started to leave, ‘‘seems that you are having a lot of company lately.” “How’s that, Hop?” and Dawson paused at the door. The storekeeper came from behind the counter, dropped down on a box and spat at the stove, which responded with a hissing SIZZ. “Wal,” he continued, ‘‘ there was a sprightly little fellow around here for a couple of days and he seemed mighty inter- ested in your company.” Dawson laughed heartily. “Oh, that was an old friend of mine,” he said lightly. “Just dropped in for a short visit and to attend to a little personal business.” 793 “That’s all right,” persisted Hopkins. _“ But who is the other fellow?” Dawson looked at him sharply. ‘“‘ Other fellow?” Hopkins nodded. ‘‘ Yes—other fellow. I happened to be at the hotel when he asked about you. Said he was a lumberman or something like that.” Dawson’s forehead wrinkled into a frown as he regarded the proprietor steadily. ‘And he asked about me?” “He asked Stokes for a man named George Dawson.” “* And he was a lumberman?” Hopkins nodded slowly. ‘‘ That’s what he said. Haven’t you met him or know anything about him?” “ Can’t say that I know anything about him,” returned Dawson. ‘“ But if he wants to see me I'll be at my office.” As he left the store all eyes followed him until he turned the corner, walking hur- riedly. ‘“‘T won’t say for certain,” spoke up Hop- kins, “‘ but I’d come mighty near betting that something is up around here.” “‘ An’ that ain’t all,” he continued as the others nodded in assent. ‘“ If there is some- thing in the wind George Dawson is going to increase his bank account when the show- down comes off.” . IIT. WHEN Dawson entered his office a short, heavy set stranger rose to greet him. The former took in his visitor at a glance from his expensive velour hat to the pearl spats which adorned his patent leather shoes. “How are you, Mr. Dawson?” The caller extended a limp hand that suggested a cold, clammy fish. “* Pretty good,” Dawson returned ‘“‘ What can I do for you?” ** Sell me some property,’’ was the prompt reply. “‘ Dugan is my name. R. S. Dugan. I’d like to purchase several hundred acres around here.” Dawson looked at him a moment without speaking. ‘ You’d like to buy some land, eh?” he asked slowly. “‘ Exactly,” was the brisk reply. ‘If we can come to terms I’ll establish one of the largest lumber concerns in this section right COmicloooks (C@