Argosy All-Story Weekly, April 28, 1928 — page 57: what you’re looking at

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

ROPE NECKTIES. start introducing after what we all have been through. ‘‘ Miss, you be our guide,” I tell her. ‘Personal, we are headed toward Gorge City, where we hears both money and work is frequent.” “Why, my father’s ranch is only twelve miles from there. He will want to thank you, of course, for sav- ing my life. And bringing Dick’s body back. Perhaps, too, if he is short- handed, you boys can get taken on there.” But the little lady’s tone was a bit uncertain, and after we get under way again I concludes it might be a good ideer to get down to cases, “ Miss—” ‘Mary Renwood, Harry,” she said softly. “ Well, Miss Renwood,” I goes on, “T want you to feel that | am far from trying to intrude into your affairs. Still and all, I have a funny notion that a little furst-class lying will be called for. And that, if I say it myself, is where I shines.” “J don’t understand,” she quavers from behind me, and I feel her hands tremble on my belt, which she is hold- ing onto. “Well, I’m no detective, but I al- lows that you wouldn’t have been on no eloping party if your father was favor- ‘ble to your tying the knot with this young feller you fancies?” “No,” she falters, ‘father had other plans for me—despicable ones— that makes my blood run cold at the very thought. He wanted to force me into a marriage with Boss Deveture, of Gorge City.” “Boss?” I questions, “of what, miss, may I ask?” “Everything in sight, you might say,” she murmurs, bitter. “I never heard him called anything except Boss Deveture; it is like a title. He owns the Gorge City Hotel, the Oriental Sa- loon, is behind all the gamblers, has the law in his hands—and those hands reach out everywhere.” 487 “Drunk with power, eh!” I said, almost to myself. ‘‘ And he reaches out for you, miss?” “Yes, though I have only seen him a few times, and never gave him the slightest encouragement.” I had to smile at that, seeing what a lovely little thing she was. “Humph. Some hombres don’t need. any come-on,’ I opined. “Is your father and this Mr. Deveture pretty thick?” ‘Boss Deveture has, somehow, a hold on all the prominent cattle owners in these parts, as well as on folks in town. Fear is at the root of his power, I imagine, more than any link of friendship.” “Nice feller, I bet,’ I said, “ but going back to our original figuring. Why, if your father will be so dashed mad hearing about this fatal elope- mentwhy tell him anything about it?” She was silent for a few moments. “[’m just trying to save you, miss; this cowboy you canters off with is past saving. Did you ever go on long rides with him?” “Yes,” she falters; “ but how did you guess that, Harry?” “Just brains, ma’am. Any likely young feller would glory in your com- pany. ‘Then my suggestion is, say you two were riding the range, when pur- sued by a war party of Injuns, and afterward, when your hosses were shot, stood a siege by these same var- mints ontil we comes along and rescues you. Sech kind of affairs has actually happened.” “ But—but that would be a lie,” Mary replies in a hesitating sort of way. “You ain’t been long in this world, I calculate. Eighteen summers?” “* Nineteen.” “ By and by you'll find truth ain’t welcomed in the best society onless she is disguised so you’d hardly know her, If it will help you any I’ll do the lying. My pard, Shorty, and me—we breeds COPMICLOOOKS (E@)