Argosy All-Story Weekly — page 16: what you’re looking at

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

— - -) — 650 for her intrusion. ed. But Eve, about to move toward the kitchen, observed a puzzled light in the Stranger’s eyes. | ‘“ Perhaps I am not in the right place, after all,” she said. ‘“ No-doubt you folks have a perfect right to be here, and I sup- pose there is no doubt that I am being. impudent. I apologize for that. But Mr. ‘Bassett gave me to understand that he lived here alone.” “This lady is Eve Winthrop, Dave Bassett’s stepdaughter,” volunteered Chan- ning. ‘“ I am foreman.” ‘“ And your name?” “ Channing.” The stranger laughed briefly, and appar- ently with relief. “Evidently there is no mistake, after all,” she said. ‘“ May I see Mr. Bassett?” Channing shook his head negatively. ‘““T reckon that ain’t possible right now.” His gaze was steady, probing. He was trying to analyze the impression the visitor was making upon him. So far he had failed. His eyes were unsmiling, they even held a glint of hostility, for he felt that the young woman had no very good grounds More cynical than Eve, Jess impulsive, he had detected an artificial note in the girl’s voice, a certain subtle sly- ness in her manner that had aroused his sus- picions. Therefore his voice had been slow, drawling, inexpressive. “Oh, then he isn’t here just now?” she ‘“No; he’s not here just now.” “Can you tell me when I may see him?” “T reckon you’d have to hang around here a right long time,”’ Channing answered. ‘“‘ Dave Bassett is dead.” “Dead!” The visitor started. Her eyes grew wide with astonishment. The astonishment, Channing decided, was genuine. The girl seemed incredulous. She stared at Channing, at Eve. Eve nodded affirma- tively. The girl seemed convinced, and while Eve and Channing watched her she dropped into a chair, covered her face with her hands and sat there, quivering a little. Eve ran to her and stroked her shoulders, saying nothing. Channing stood near the door, gravely regarding both girls. He oF om ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. said nothing while Eve tried to comfort the visitor; he was silent after the latter, seem- ingly recovering from the shock, uncovered ker face and smiled gratefully up at Eve. Eve urged her to “‘ take off her wraps.” The visitor had not volunteered to explain why she had come; she had not divulged her name. Evidently, however, she had some sort of an acquaintance with Bassett, though even Hf she hadn’t the rules of ordinary hospitality demanded that she be invited to stay overnight. The thought of permitting her to make the return trip of twenty miles to Red Mesa never entered Eve’s mind. But Eve was worried about Warren, and aiter showing the visitor to 4 room she went in to the sick man, leaving the strange girl alone. “3 Channing had not moved from his posi- tion at the doorway.. When the strange girl re-entered the living room, Channing had his arms folded and was gravely stroking his chin with the fingers of one hand. He observed that the girl had walked to the center of the room and was watching him. Also, he was aware that her interest seemed to center chiefly upon his worn and faded overalls, his spurless boots and his thread- ‘bare woolen shirt. And twice she stared at the big guns at his hips. He observed that each time she looked at the guns she drew a deep breath. The guns seemed to fascinate her. He thought, too, that there was some- uneasiness in her manner. It was as though she had some questions to ask but was in doubt as to how to word them. She had betrayed emotion at the news that Bassett had died, but the news had not shocked ker enough to convince Channing that she had known Bassett very intimately. Nor had her emotion seemed real to Channing. And he had been slightly irritated«by the atmosphere of sophistication that seemed to surround her, which was like a thin veneer covering the gentle womanliness of her, a sort of a shield to hide her real feelings. The womanliness was there, though, there could be no doubt of that. aware of its charm. He felt that if she exerted herself to please, she could be dangerously fascinating. oO He felt it, was . in CORMICLOOOKS sO) <a