Argosy and Railroad Man's Magazine, Vol. 107 No. 3 — page 167: what you’re looking at

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

= Sewer — x * a? " a COLD: STEEL. ways hung above me. As I say, you brought me good luck that day—and I see clearly that I shall continue to be super- stitious.”’ “‘ Why, all occasion for that is past now.” ‘““ No,” said Steele Weir. ‘“ No, less than ever. For I’m certain you hold my good fortune in your hand yet and will continue to hold it. And that means—”’ He paused, regarding her so intently that the blood beat up into her face. There was no mistaking that look and it thrilled her to her soul. ‘ Yes?” she managed to say. ‘“‘It means my happiness, now and for all time to come,” he went on. “ See, I shall have accomplished what I set out to do and what in justice had to be done, bringing these men to punishment—to pun- ishment in one form or another. I shall have given my employer, the company, ser- vice worthy of the hire. I shall have rid you and San Mateo of an unscrupulous parasite in the person of Ed Sorenson, though my persecution of him now shall stop and I shall leave him enough out of the property recovered from his father to live somewhere with his mother in com- parative comfort.” = ) “Mr. Pollock states I shall have no trouble in getting legal title and possession of most of the wealth of these four men— I and any relatives of the dead Jim Dent who can be found. For thirty years’ ac- cumulated charges will swallow up all the men’s properties. That, however, is only a material victory. I shall have relieved Johnson of fear of financial constraint; and saved his daughter from a serious mis- take. I shall have started Martinez on the road to success—and I should not be sur- prised if he prospered, became the leading attorney in this country, is elected judge, and so on. | “In a way, too, I shall have helped to remove the oppressive weight of these men, Sorenson, Burkhardt, Gordon and Vorse, with their sinister influence, from this com- munity and region. They have always held the natives in more or less open subjection, financial, political, and moral. “There should be a freer air in San 509 - Mateo henceforth. The people will have a chance to grow. They no longer will feel the threat of brutal masters always over them; and with the completion of the ir- rigation project and the infusion of new settlers they will become better citizens and better men. ““T see all this,” he concluded. “It pleases me; it gives me cause for satisfac- tion. But it doesn’t give me the happiness I want, or the love. That is alone in your hands to bestow.” Janet felt herself trembling; not speak. . “T think I felt the stirring of love from the moment I saw you there at the ford,” he exclaimed. ‘“ Last night when I knew that wretch had carried you off to the mountains, I could have torn him limb from limb. That was my love speaking, Janet. If I should have to go through life without you—oh, the thought is too bitter to dwell on! I should not think it worth living, but I have-imagined that you might feel for me a little—” Janet swiftly clasped his hand with her own. - “I love you,” she cried softly. she could “TI was sitting here when you came because I loved - you. If I am necessary to your happiness, you also are necessary to mine. I honor you for what you have done and love you for what you are, a strong, true heart.” ‘“‘ Ah, Janet, you give me the greatest joy in the world,” he whispered. ‘‘ Love— that is more than all.” His arms drew her shrinking form to his breast. Her lips went timidly to his in the consecration of that love. Their hearts beat together as one in the exalted rap- ture of that celestial passion. Over the silent peaceful mountains the moon spread its effulgent light. Over the mesa that was no more to know the fierce sound of strife. Over the town, at last free of its avaricious masters, of the savage spirit of an outlaw time. Over the Burnt- wood River flowing in a shimmering band to the horizon. Over the camp where cen- tered so many men’s plans and labors. And over the lovers, chief of all, that light fell as in a silvery halo. (The End.) NOO (C(O) S (C(O) mM