Argosy All-Story Weekly, May 5, 1928 — page 153: what you’re looking at

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

MASKED MEN. moved swiftly forward and taken the bag of gold away from the boy, and then stepped back—the heavy Colt still pointing at Frank’s heart. Yah’ re — Frank — Chandler<—anrt yuh?” he went on hoarsely. “I al- ways thought yuh was honest—what’s the idea of yuh doin’ this?” “I was in a tight place.” The boy was young, he had to tell some one his troubles. with disgrace if I did not pay him what I owed him by to-morrow.”’ “ How much is it?” asked Hank. “Five hundred dollars.” Frank laughed mirthlessly. ‘It’s not such a lot to have shot and robbed a man for, is it? And now I’ve lost it all to you.” ‘No, it ain't,” said Hank." kisten, kid, I’m gonna give you what no one ever gave me, and that’s a chance—to start over.” With his left hand he reached into his trousers pocket and drew out a roll of bills. “ Here’s a little over five hundred dollars; that’s all yuh owe, ain’t 1t?” Frank nodded mutely, puzzled at the unexpected action of the masked man. “All - right, « then.” — Beneath his mask Hank laughed. “A fair ex- change ain’t no robbery. Yuh get what yuh want—a chance tuh start over, and I gets what I been plannin’ on, and that’s the gold from the bank. I ain’t showin’ any objections, either, tuh tak- in’ the blame for the shootin’ — one more crime on my head don’t make any difference tuh me. ‘But years ago Hank Perris was my friend—and I know what stock he sets in yuh—so if yuh’ll agree to go back and go straight and leave the gamblin’ alone—lI’ll be doin’ Hank a favor I been owin’ him for a long time. tlow about it?” “ All- right,” said Frank. “I realize that I’ve been a fool. I should have gone right to Hank Perris with my troubles in the first place, and he would have found a way out for me. He’s been mighty good to me always.” * Bill Hicks threatened me 719 “Go on,” said Hank impatiently. “Get back tuh town as quick as yuh can. I figure the posse is already out searchin’ for yuh now, an’ yuh don’t want them tuh find yuh at all—hurry.” He threw the roll of bills at Frank’s feet. “T stole Hank Perris’s horse, a little while ago in town, mine was winded. Yuh take the horse and leave me the white stallion — they’ll be lookin’ for that. Yuh’ll find Hank’s horse tied in them cottonwoods just outside th’ ca- non—now get out “fore I change my mind an’ take a shot at yuh.” Frank did not hesitate any longer, but picked up the roll of bills and moved swiftly back along the trail and soon had disappeared from sight. Hank sighed as he watched him go. The boy was such a reckless fool— but he had realized that he was wrong in what he had done. The older man was glad he had been able to aid him. It was two.hours later that a posse, led by Sheriff Edwards and his men, came upon Hank Perris as the latter sat gazing at his worn Stetson which bore a bullet hole in its crown. “What’s the matter, Hank?” asked the sheriff. “The fellow that held up the bank messenger and me just been doing a little shooting,’ Hank answered. “1 got him in the arm and made him drop the gold, but he got away.” He shook his head. “A little lower with this shot of his through my hat and [ wouldn’t be tell- ing you about it now,” he grinned. “He took my horse, too; he must be halfway across the border by now. But we got the gold, anyway, and that’s something.” He handed the sheriff the bag of gold, “Yea,” said Edwards, “ that’s some- thin’. You’ve been a great help, Hank.” “Yes.” Hank nodded, the thought of Frank in his mind. “I reckon I did do a little good, sheriff, at that!” THE END CORNICE OOOKS (©)