The Argosy, August 1905 — page 133: what you’re looking at

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

“ And you?” “Well, as for me, I am the gainer, since I get a wife. I do not ask you, thinking that you wish to marry a man you have seen only a few minutes and never heard of before. That would be preposterous. But our ranches are close together, you knew my unele, and if you like you can get my record from New York. * On the other hand, there is De Paro, and now you have no one but me to rely on.” “Yes; grandfather is old. not do much.” “ Miss Bethune, when your grand- father had my promise he attempted to get into his buckboard. But the ex- citement was too great, and he sank into my arms, dead.” “Oh! Oh! Oh!” she moaned, placing her hand against her heart. “ Alone! Alone! Helpless and alone! ” “ You see now it becomes even more necessary. You cannot remain alone in your house. Somebody must protect you. Ido not wish to force myself upon you, Miss Bethune. If you prefer not to enter into the matter at all, you must tell me so. I had not thought of such amarriage. Perhaps I might in time to come, but until yowr grandfather asked me pointblank I had no such thought. Now, think about it a moment. Take time.” “Oh, take me to grandfather!” she sobbed. I saw then where I had blundered. T had ridden my horse and left the buck- hoard at my place. “Can you manage with this saddle?” I asked her. “ Yes; anything to get to poor grand- father! ”’ I assisted her, she arranged her skirts, and we started. We reached the adobe house, having had very little conversa- tion on the way. Miguel and Manuel stood before the door. “This ver’ bad news, senor!” said Miguel. “ What happened?” He can- “ Why, he came to see me, and became somewhat excited, and, as he went to go, dropped dead.” “Tt was no quarrel?” “No; nothing like that. It was per- THE HOODOO RANCH. haps more a sudden relief from tension than anything else—a reaction.” Miguel nodded, but probably did nat understand. Eunice had rushed into the house, and I went slowly after her, I heard her sobbing and saw her down on her knees kissing the dead man’s hands. “Grandfather! If it was your wish! if you said so! [I will consent! Any- thing, dear grandfather, to be free from De Paro!” I went over and stood by her side, with my hand resting on her brown hair. Finally she rose and looked at me. “Mr, Wallace,” she said, and her voice did not tremble as much as it had, “I see nothing before me but darkness, If my grandfather trusted you, I may do so. It seems a strange thing to do, but now I am all alone, and this is not the place to be left alone. I could per- haps sell the ranch and go elsewhere, but nowhere would I be free from De Paro. I have no one to whom I could go. I must place my confidence im rou.” “It shall not be. misplaced,” I an- swered. “I swear it at your grand- father’s side.” She began to weep again. “You must be calm,” I said. “ We have much to think of. Im the first place, you must not go back to your house to-night. Iam going to start for Mackinville, and will not be back till some time to-morrow. You see, I can trust my own men, Miguel and Manuel. They could not go to your house and protect you, because they would have no authority to keep any one out. Here they have that authority, even to shoot- ing, if Tam absent. So you remain here to-night, and they will take care of you. “If any one should come to see you to-night, they would go to your house. Not finding you, they might return to Mackinville er wherever they came from, and not molest this place at all. Don’t you think it better for you to re- main ? ” , “TI cannot think,” she said. “I will do whatever you advise.” “ That is settled, then. Now, Miguel, you and Manuel remain here to-mght and keep watch. Permit no one to see Miss Bethune. If any person, I care