The Argosy, Vol. 75, No. 4 — page 199: what you’re looking at

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

DESERT LOOT. he was performing a duty other than what occupied him at the moment, and that the duty had to do with her ill- ness. But where was Pete? After this she glanced aimlessly over her quarters. But, owing to the position of the candle, which threw a shadow over the greater part of the interior, she could form little idea of the place. Two things alone impressed her—a collection of firearms on a rack and a square, hand-made willow cage, hanging from the tent-ridge. This last held her attention. It con- tained 4 small, black object, which she finally made out to be a magpie. He huddled on his perch with every sem- blance of sleep. Further observation disclosed the fact that his head was cocked at a doubtful angle and that one beady eye covered her with gross distrust, It was an evil stare. She met it curiously at first, then its dogged in- tensity filled her with a strange dis- quiet. While she knew magpies to be shrewd, radiant birds notorious for mischief, in her weak, nervous condi- tion she became obsessed with the idea that this piebald pet was the embodi- ment of ill-omen. The conviction grew apace. It as- sumed in time a definite, if not a more personal, form. His machinations were directed at her. She did not seek to reason the cause—her mind was too prone to vagaries—but rather did she allow herself to be carried away by a host of wild fears, which increased with the delusion that the implied threat, so apparent in the bearing of that ignoble bird, would be momen- tarily visited upon her. At last, in a frenzy of terror, she shrieked and shrieked. Whereupon the man at the table looked wp. Simply did he look up, without altering his posture by so much as a frown. He looked under his heavy brows at her narrowly. ‘Then, as if there was revealed to him something he had not known, he arose and crossed to the bed. 901 And, as he came within reach of her hand, Peggy clutched him madly, dragged him down beside her, and buried her head upon his breast. There she remained, moaning dismally, pant- ing, and exhausted. ‘Don’t be frightened,” he repeated over and over in a deep, gentle voice. “See, I’m here, and there’s not a bit of danger.” When she had grown calmer he dis- engaged her hands and helped her back upon the pillow. He took to watching her now, stroking her head ‘the while. In the end he took down the cage, set it on a box in a dark cor- ner, and flung a towel over it. “That’s Feathers,’ resumed his position on the edge of the cot. ‘A most amusing fellow. He’s as good as a watch-dog and really bril- hiant.”’ His hand rested a moment upon her wrist as he spoke: ‘ I'll give you your medicine now, and then we'll see about a little nourishment., That'll be worth while, don’t you think?” ° Spent with her exertions, Peggy did not answer. Her eyes clung to his in an undetermined stare, and she became oddly sensible of a soothing influence that steadily restored her confidence. Straightway she forgot Feathers and his evil eye, to listen again to what his master was saying. He had paused in the middle of the floor. ‘T don’t want you to misinterpret my actions when you screamed a while ago,’ he reminded her. ‘ You’ve been delirious so often.that-I wasn’t really certain. However, the fever is broken, and while we were afraid we would lose you a few days back, you’re as good as on your feet this minute. Now, Pll fix you up that little bite, and then you'll be ready for a good, old-fash- ioned sleep.” An hour later, following a meal of poached eggs, toast, and tea, he ar- ranged her comfortably for the night and stirred up the fire. During all this little was said. There was that about her benefactor which in (E00) NOOKS ANIC ’ he smiled as he - (C@)