Argosy All-Story Weekly — page 157: what you’re looking at

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

AN ENGAGEMENT IN TRINIDAD. lair amount of spirit that’s all I know enough to ask for.” Jim Smith’s shifty eyes examined the- pinto from muzzle to fetlocks, then reached over and stroked its nose. ‘“‘ Maybe then we could arrange a little private business? I got a weakness for pintos.” “I got no objections,” said the chief. * Color don’t carry much weight with me.” Smith rolled a cigarette and lighting it in- haled a deep puff. ‘I tell you what [ll do.” His words and the smoke came out together. ‘‘ Business has been pretty pros- perous with me lately. I'll give you the bay for him and fifty bucks to boot.” ‘That sounds like fifty to the good to me,” said Terry. ‘I know you wouldn’t ride anything that wasn’t at least passable.” The men swung to the ground and loosed the cinches on the belly bands. Having changed saddles they remounted and the chief extended his hand. Slippery Smith took it limply. ‘ Don’t happen to be ridin’ toward Trinidad do you?” “No, I’m headin’ for Santa Ynez to- night. I might see you there to-morrow though, if you’re goin’ to be around.” ‘Sure, I generally play a little pool after lunch. It pays the board, and I sort of enjoy it for a relaxation.” ‘All right, I'l] look you up.” They crossed the road together and then Smith turned the pinto toward Trinidad. ‘“ Oh, and say,” called Terry. ‘ I’m expectin’ an important telegram in Trinidad this evenin’. In case you don’t see me to-morrow you might forward it to me.” “Glad to. And if I was you I’d seri- ously consider going into business. It’s more profitable in the long run, and you get away from all the nervous strain. In your line you never know what’s liable to hap- pen.” “It’s worth thinkin’ about all right,” said the chief. Il. At the top of a low hill a short distance along the road to Santa Ynez Terry stopped and watched Slippery Smith as he galloped toward Trinidad. Behind him the setting sun streaked the horizon with vermilion and THE END Commiclhoo 313 red and cast a green veil over the blue of the sky. The mountains slowly pulled dark purple quilts over the rose blankets which still covered their heads; the windows of the town turned to great topazes and its crude outlines softened. The bandit though was more interested in the little grove of trees which adorned the outskirts of Trinidad. He thought he detected a stirring of life there. It might have been some stray cattle seeking shelter for the night, but as Slippery Smith ap- proached Terry had a feeling that this was not the cause. Cattle are not so careful to conceal themselves, nor does their presence make leaves tremble or boughs bend down. He watched the long easy strides of the pinto as it entered the shadow of the grove. He admired the seat of Jim Smith in the saddle and regretted for a moment that so able a man should have such an inadequate sense of honor Then he saw a dozen gray puffs, like moths against the green back- ground: the pinto leaped to one side and then dashed frightenedly into the grove. As the sharp rifle reports reached the Santa Ynez road Slippery Smith threw up his arms and fell in a crumpled heap. IV. THAT evening, while the buckboard driver was on his way to Trinidad, and the local deputies were making explanations to the coroner, Terry circled the town and entered by the road from Elco. Before the sate of a small white house he whistled, and a moment later a girl ran out and threw her arms around the chief. As they walked along the dark street she clung to him like a starved puppy. He put his arm around her and looked down smil- ing. ‘“ Been worried?” Coaxing eyes greeted his smile. you promise me something, Terry?” “Maybe. What is it?” “ Give up train robbing—for me?” “Well, maybe—for you,” said the chief. *‘T like to know where I stand: you never can tell what’s going to happen in busi- ness.” : “Will SCO 4