Argosy All-Story Weekly — page 126: what you’re looking at

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

916 “You ought to be happy,” he pointed out, “that I can come back an’ play with you.” “All right,” assented Smedley, “ only don’t play so rough.” Billy halted his attack upon the boy and turned it against the dinner table. “It’s right nice to open air tights in yore own ranch,” he murmured through a mouthful of canned apricots. “ But I’m stackin’ all my chips that the sergeant’s layin’ a trap. Smed, you get out and keep an eye peeled for anything that looks like red.’ ‘“ Nonsense,” declared Mrs. MacKreagh. “Let the boy eat his dinner. The ser- geant couldn’t lay a trap for you. He hasn’t got the brains. He’s as simple as my poor dear husband, which is why Smed- ley has to do the work of three men and get his schooling into the bargain. Eat your food, child! Must the boy listen to every word I say?” “Yes,” said Billy. ‘“ He’s simple, the sergeant is. Simple as a piebald broncho, which is the meanest animal there is.” “What nonsense!” cried Mrs. Mac- Kreagh. ‘ How often have I said, if I’ve said it once, that Balwhider MacQuillan wouldn’t break faith with the devil himself. He’s straight as a blade.” “Probably. But he can all the same play more aces to a deck than was ever meant there should be in it. He’s straight as a grass snake with the colic.” “Young man, don’t tell me you’ve been playing cards with Staff Sergeant MacQuil- lan! I won’t believe it!” ‘Tf I had I wouldn’t have enough clo’s left to come visitin’ in. No. Ive been pitchin’ nickels with him.” ‘“’ And he won?” ““T Jost. “You don’t mean to sit there and tell me that Balwhider MacQuillan cheated!” “Well, he didn’t exactly play straight.” And Billy proceeded to tell the events of the night before. “Therefore,” he concluded, “TI calcu- late the simple-minded old range cow is takin’ a contract to get me if he busts his reputation doin’ it. Therefore, I imagine it would be a way high up play if Smedley ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. was to earn my everlastin’ gratitude by keepin’ one-eye peeled for the appearance of red on the horizon. And I’m sleepin’ out.” ‘The nights are cold,” she said. “The tracks are hot,” he replied. Mrs. MacKreagh arose, and with sweep- ing grace gathered up dishes. “You, Smedley,” she said, “did you hear what Billy said? I should think you’d have been outside and keeping watch before this. You don’t want to see him trapped like a prairie dog, do you?” But the better part of her remarks were lost inasmuch as Smedley had gone from the house with the first words she spoke. He was a devoted soul, was Smedley, and was amply repaid for his devotion by the appreciative grin which Billy shot to. him as he departed. After the boy left, Mrs. MacKreagh set down her dishes and turned to Billy with a gravity he had not seen in her before. “ Billy,” she said, ‘I’m scared.” “How, scared, ma’am?” “ There’s no use beating about the bush, and I think you know well enough, Billy Argent, that anything I can’t say to the face of a man I shall never say at all, for it’s little enough we get out of this world without making ourselves miserable with the thought of offenses we have done to- ward others. And I don’t mind telling you, Billy, that I’m scared.” ‘“Ma’am, I guessed it.” “This game of hare and hounds has gone on too long, Billy. Too long for your good health. It’s getting dangerous.” ** Now, ma’am—”’ “No, you must listen to me. In the be- ginning it was a fine thing to see you riding the trail as free as a breeze and pulling wool over MacQuillan’s eyes; but the thing is getting perilous and ugly. You say Mac- Quillan has taken to cheating and lying; that’s a terrible change to come over a man as good as he is. And then there’s the boy. Can’t you see, Billy, what it means that Smedley should be helping an outlaw to evade the authority of the po- lice?” Billy stiffened, and a look of hurt came into his eyes which distressed the widow. Ccommicooolks (CO)