Argosy All-Story Weekly, February 12, 1927 — page 144: what you’re looking at

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

138 “Little gal,’ he said affectionately, “ Jimmie Mason’s got the fimest wife on airth!” “ Right!” Mason agreed, touching his own wife’s hand as she spoke. “If the little shaver asleep in there kin do half as good as both his father an’ grandfather done—he’ll be some hellin’ fine judge 0’ wimmen folk!” But Betty Mason had caught sight of something far out over the plains. She rose abruptly from her father’s knee and shaded her eyes to look more closely. “Somebody’s comin’,” she said hope- fully. They watched for a time, then Mason spoke up. “It’s Brant an’ Jimmie,” he said. know the gait o’ them hosses at forty miles.” Miles, now that his daughter had turned away, touched Mason’s arms and indicated her with a wink. Already the girl was changing from the slightly petulant mood — that had gripped her during the absence of her husband. She waved her hand in greet- ing, though it must have been evident that the riders were too far away to see the move. Then she stepped out into the sun and walked toward the corral, where they would stop to leave their horses. - She met them there—Jimmie Mason and Brant. Brant caught Jimmie’s reins as the younger man neglected them in embracing his wife. “ How’s sonny?” he asked, when he had kissed her several times. “ Fine!” Betty laughed in delight. “* He missed you, though!” Then she noticed that Jimmie’s horse’ was foam-flecked and a light of pleasure beamed in her eyes. “You been ridin’ hard, Jim?” she asked archly. “Uh-huh! Hot, too. But we hustled right along.” “What for?” He threw his arm about her and hugged her until she pulled away with a gasp. “Vou hurt me, Jim,” she complained happily. “ That’s what I hustled up to do,” he said. oe Fis sae : Z : i ee ARGOSY-ALLSTORY “WEEKLY. ‘““ Yeah—t love to hurt you!” “Git in thar, yuh damned cayuse!” Brant bellowed at one of the horses. “Yo’re nutty “nuff now without hearin’ any more o’ this talk!” The younger people laughed and walked toward the house with their arms about each other. The three on the porch rose and met them. Mason asked some questions: ‘‘ Did they git formed, Jimmie?” “Yeah. They org’nized an’ elected off’- cers an’ made rules. It ‘Il be a fine thing, pa. The cattle buyers in the East are goin’ to help along by buyin’ from the associa- tion, an’ that "ll stop rustlers a heap, ’cause the brands ‘ll be watched closer an’ the ranchers a heap better known.” Brant came to the porch. Mason and Miles shook his hand warmly. ‘* Don’t talk too loud now,” Betty Mason warned again. ‘Little Jimmie’s asleep.” Miles shrugged helplessly, winked at Mason. Brant spoke. “He told yuh they got org’nized?” he asked, “Yep. It sounds like a good thing,” the elder Mason said. ‘* Did he tell yuh who’s thuh pres’dent?” a Nope.” ‘That 'll be thuh weak spot,” Brant said slowly. “Why?” Miles demanded. thuh fools elect?” ‘“ Him,” Brant grinned laconically, at the same time pointing at Jimmie Mason. For a second there was silence, during which Jimmie flushed a little happily. Bet- ty straightened at his side, her posture showing vast pride. She seemed to forget her maledictions against the association of a few minutes before. “They showed right good sense,” she said frankly. ‘‘ My husban’ is the smartest “Who did ‘man out here.” “ It looks like the alkali has been washed out o’ life complete!” Jennie Mason said earnestly. “I’m right happy.” *'Weli, by Gawd!” Miles roared. “ Lit- tle Jimmie Mason pres’dent o’ thuh whole association!” a4 Pat” Betty snapped. mas Shush! Little _— PS > —— ~ oe oe = AS Se =a = hie tr Sao oe ee = ne <= a ~ =F ees Be ce eras ee Nee es ir —— one rae iy ses eS: eS Sees ne aks mAs : =e <— Ca ax ~ a < = ) CaTnichooks ¢ com