Argosy All-Story Weekly — page 124: what you’re looking at

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

594 mind a distrust of the greener, whom he had looked upon as a possible rival. He had put off from day to day speaking to the girl, or to MacAlister, whose good graces he had been cultivating by presents, at intervals, of whisky. There was plenty of time. Blodgett wouldn’t start anything till spring. In fact he had advised Blodgett to ‘‘ get next ” to the legislative committee, reasoning that it would be well toward adjournment time before the lumberman would feel sure of his men. If the scheme worked—again King would grin, as he pictured Blodgett’s ‘rage when his principal witness should turn against him and expose the plot for flooding MacAlister’s timber. In the game of dog eat dog, it is well to be the outside dog. The sum which Blodgett had agreed to pay him the day he got control of Mac- alister’s timber, was in no wise commen- surate to the value of the timber itself. He could afford to wait till MacAlister died. It might not be long. Accidents happen in the woods, a loosened chain, a suddenly released binding pole, a rollway broken out at the wrong time. Lots of things could happen to shorten the time MacAlister’s son-in-law must wait to -administer the property according to his own logging plan. Thus matters stood when Blodgett un- expectedly appeared with the information that they must appear immediately before the committee. It was not yet eleven o’clock when King entered the deserted office of the cheap hotel. Seating himself in a chair he lighted his pipe, tilted back against the wall, and tried to formulate some plan for meeting the girl before appearing at Blodgett’s of- fice in the morning. At least he need have no fear of the greener as a possible rival. He had noted with satisfaction the look of scorn with which the girl had regarded him at Thunder Head, and again as she had entered the dining room. But he must see her. Maybe it was better, after all, that Blodgett had forced a show-down. For now the girl must realize the absolute necessity for acting immediately to save the timber. She was wise enough to know that King would be Blodgett’s principal wit- ness, and that should he swing over to the > 2 ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. MacAliste’ camp, Blodgett’s cause was ir- retrievably lost. = _. King stood up, and walking to the regis- ter, noted the number of the girl’s room. He noted, also, that MacCormack’s ad- joined it. He hesitated. What would she do if he should knock quietly upon her door and ask for an interview with her? It was possible that she would grant it if she could be made to realize it was the last. resort to save the timber, but it was more probable that she would take fright, awaken MacCormack, and precipitate a nasty row. Several minutes King stood staring at the register trying to make up his mind to act. “Damn it,’ he muttered, “I got to do somethin’, an’ that’s the only way.J kin figger it.” 7 f A sound from the wooden staircase at- tracted his attention, and he turned to see Mary MacAlister, porcelain water pitcher in hand, coming down the stairs. The girl recognized him, and for just an instant she paused uncertainly. Then, without a sign ‘of recognition, she negotiated the remain- ing steps, and crossing the room, pressed the faucet of the iron water cooler, and filled her pitcher. As she turned toward the stairs King accosted her. “Good evenin’, miss. one I be’n wantin’ to see.” The girl halted and flashed him a look ._ of withering scorn. ‘I should think,” she answered, “that I should be the very one you would not want to see,” and continued her way toward the stairs. ‘“Hold on, miss. It’s fer yer own good TI want to talk to you. It’s yer only chanst to save the old man’s timber.” At the foot of the stairs the girl turned and faced him. | “What do you mean?” ““] mean if you don’t talk to me Blodgett will flood yer timber an’ drown’d all the young stuff an’ git the rest at the ap- praiser’s price—an’ you know what that means—him with the money he’s got.” ‘““Yes,” answered the girl wearily, know what that means.”’ “Well, then, you listen to me. I’m the 2S main one he’s dependin’ on fer to prove this here dam has got to be put in. I kin ~ co Eomilcbooks Youre the very } iP. yi 4