Argosy All-Story Weekly, February 12, 1927 — page 143: what you’re looking at

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

ALKALI. peared at the door and walked toward them. With the toe of his boot, Mason kicked a chair around for her and the woman sat down. 3 “Yowre sure gainin’, Jen,” Mason smiled in satisfaction. ‘‘ This here place agrees with you plumb plenty.” Jennie Mason had gained. The haggard look was gone from her eyes, her face had filled out, and she had gained in weight. She smiled a little and sank into a chair. “You bet it agrees with me, pa,’ she said. ‘““Why wouldn’t it?” She waved a hand in a gesture which included the far- flung plains about them and, in the eastern distance, the range of hills which reared upward as a constant reminder of the gift it had made them. Far across the stream a herd moved slowly through the grass. Overhead an eagle soared, its sharp eyes watching alertly the signs of life that came from the prairie dog village. An _ ineffable contentment seemed in the very air. Jennie Mason spoke again: ‘“‘T never was so happy. There’s only one thing I feel cheated about, pa.” “What’s that?” Mason demanded. * Better tell Jimmie ’bout it, ma. He’d go git it an’ bring it to your feet, if it was one o’ them mountains!” “ Tt ain’t,” Jennie Mason laughed. “ It’s a black pipe that I could smoke like you do that one. I never see a man git so much comfort as you do outa that pipe an’ chair, pa!” “Here,” said Mason readily, extending the pipe toward his wife, “take ’er as a gift from me, Jen—derned if I'll be stingy!” Jennie Mason withdrew in mock horror, her fingers gripping her nostrils as though the odor of the black pipe were too much for human endurance. Both men laughed heartily, and Mason slipped the pipe onto the porch and drew his wife close to him. “ Better learn to chaw, Jennie,” Miles suggested as he spat into the dust. “Ugh!” the woman shuddered. “ That is the only thing I hold ag’in’ you, Tom Miles!” “The only ‘alkali’ I got left in me, eh, Jennie?” the man laughed easily. a Pe ~ - oe ee Afb MA Tian é ee aes 2 ‘ ad ps - J } : 4 Well, De ee ay, en PPE oe en nd 9 ee ek ee oe he Re ee on ee can’t be real alkali, ‘caused I l’arned tuh do it arter them road agents held up my gamblin’ place an’ burned out thuh town o’ Faro.” “No man ain’t ever goin’ through thuh pearly gates with a chaw in his mouth, Tom,” Mason preached in mock severity. “He ain’t even goin’ to git his foot on the first step if he’s got the smell o’ that pipe on him!” Jennie Mason challenged. Once again both men laughed loudly, Mason sitting erect in his chair during the process and stamping his boot on the floor to emphasize his appreciation. Then through the door came another woman. It was Betty, and her pretty face was wrinkled where a very genuine wrath sat upon her brow. “You folks has got to keep quiet or git out of here!” she snapped. “‘ Little Jim- mie’s sound asleep, an’ he don’t git any too much rest this hot weather.” At her command the men lapsed into in- stantaneous silence. For a moment she stood before them, a picture of combined indignation and outraged accusation. Then she said: ‘‘ You’d oughta know better.” The expressions on their faces served to disclose the fact that they agreed with her. They really should have known bet- ter, because the baby had gone to sleep was first to speak. “We kinda forgot, Betty,’ he said; ‘but we'll be right careful now.” He held out his hand, and the girl went to him and sat on his knee. “TI hate this cattle association thing,” she said petulantly. ‘It makes Jim ride into town too often. He oughta be gittin’ back by this time o’ day.” ‘““Oh-ho!”” Mason grinned. ‘ That’s what is makin’ my little gal feel outa sorts, huh? She can’t wait till her hushan’ gits back home. Well—that’s fine, Betty! I reckon we'll just have to stand you till Jimmie gits back. After that you’ll be yourself agin.” Even Betty smiled at the truth of the assertion. A vagrant breeze swept across the porch and blew a lock of her hair into her eyes. She reached upward to brush it out, and her father caught her hand and carried it to his lips, where he held it. 137 ~ late and only after quite a struggle. Miles