Argosy All-Story Weekly, February 12, 1927 — page 134: what you’re looking at

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

128 ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. lay the valley, his longing to see Betty and his mother became inexpressibly en- larged. He felt that he had to see them; felt that he must know that they had stood the winter well, and encourage them in their faith that he would return for them in good time and free them from the soulless exist- ence of the alkali valley. He spoke of this to Brant, and was surprised when the fellow agreed to go with him. ‘“‘Let’s ride off by ourselves, Jimmie,” he said eagerly. ‘“‘ We'll strike into the hills an’ make fer yore valley. We oughta git there in ten days, hadn’t we? I’m damn sick o’ ridin’ these ranges with this gang! Mebbe we’ll meet up with something else in the hills!” “Vou’re allus huntin’ excitement, Brant,” jimmie said frankly, “ an’ it ain’t never goin’ to help you to git it! I’m aimin’ to see the folks a bit, then come back here. This is the finest cattle country ever!” ‘“ Ride,” Brant grumbled. “I'll go with yuh just fer luck!” Jimmie spoke to Ralston. He told him of his ambition to make a start for himself, and said that he would come back to him after seeing the people at the valley, if he found it possible to do it. Though the man complained at losing a hand or two, he finally acceded and paid Jimmie his winter’s salary in gold. Jimmie smiled ruefully as he found that it amounted to less than a hundred dollars after deductions had been made. Brant took even less than that, because he had spent more. Then Ralston wished Jimmie luck, and told him that, should he come back, there would be work for him. = An’ if yuh hit ’er rich, Mason,” he fm- ished laughingly, “ T'll sell yuh some cattle fer tuh start out with.” Jimmie overlooked the laugh. It was all terribly real to him, this striving for a start that would bring luxury to those he loved. He had grown somber of mien just thinking about it. That afternoon Brant and himself set out ‘for the hills to the east. As each hour passed Jimmie grew less ewe P= i a SA, EE for <tleeix-ar- . oy i. ies i mS > 5 aa Fae te — : rival, and his first sight of Betty and his mother. And he was obliged to admit it to himself, much as it surprised him, he wanted to see his father too. He wanted to know that they had wintered well and that the man was safe. There was an in- escapable strength about his father. He knew that now. He wished that he could talk frankly with him. About a week later they breasted a hill, and before them opened the valley with its two log houses, its lean-to, its litter of farm implements. The stream flowed, swollen by spring freshets, through the bed of the val- ley. A spiral of blue smoke rose from the chimney of the main house. Eagerly Jimmie cast his eyes over the place, a soft cry coming to his lips. Then, far down to the south of the valley, he caught sight of a familiar figure. He knew the clothes that it wore, the stoop of the great shoulders, the ceaseless energy of body that was his father’s. “Pa!” he said softly. there, Brant!” “Yeah,” Brant said, “ an’ he’d shore blow me tuh hell if he seen me, huh? I'll waitoap here till yuh finish this here love call, Jimmie. When yo’re ready tah leave, come this way. I’ll enjoy waitin’, so don’t hurry.” The valley seemed sacred to Jimmie Mason. That figure down below was un- like any figure he ever had known. There was a definite majesty about his father; the very valley whispered of his powers and the things which he had done. “Mebbe I better had go in alone, Brant,” he said. “‘ This here is like to s’prise ’em all some.” “‘ [ll be moseyin’ round, seein’ what I kin see,” Brant said. ‘“ Ill be here when yuh come out.” His eyes fastened upon the house now, Jimmie made no answer other than a nod of his head signifying that he understood. They had approached the valley through the mountains, and they now stood at the rugged, rocky hills into which none of them — had penetrated during their life there. But the pony took the down trail with- out trouble, and Jimmie found himself “"That’s pa down urging the little animal on cater be holde wae SO ~~ ; aos ~~ fees == tee = - a ae ‘ saan — ee oS te earn ot —~ te rete tS . . - < . “he mee oF eet — . 3 — : at 27 Ss ee a sae «< FF a ne — comicbook= com