The Argosy, Vol. 82 No. 2 — page 121: what you’re looking at

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

THE OLD WEST and Colonel Hungerford stared at Smed- ders and Reeves. “Tf I’m a half-hearted fragment, gentle- men,” said the colonel, “Id like mighty well to be told what a whole Westerner looks like.”’ “T hold to be quite a sizable fragment myself,” added Smeddars. “I don’t know what-all this judge is trying to come at.” “T reckon he wouldn’t feel so top-lofty if some one tipped him off that the Per- due business was a joke,” growled the colonel. “I allow I'll leave Manuel to watch the office while I take in that baile at the Rio Rey. thing is due to happen.” By nine o’clock that evening nearly all the Forty-Niners had gathered within the hospitable walls of the honkatonk. Billy Vince was pounding the piano and Lady Ann was singing. Gentleman Jim was deal- ing faro, and the white chips, the reds and the blues were heaped around the table- edge. Over at the bar, Pop Handy was so busy he had to call on Sing Lee for help. Judge Brand and Robbins strolled in at the moment when the singing stopped and the seforita, splendid in her Mexicana ~ costume, whirled out on the floor to the tempo of.clicking castanets. Vince, a cigarette drooping between his lips, gave more attention to his playing. A dreamy, Spanish theme floated softly from beneath his fingers, and the graceful se- forita melted into the strains and became a part of the swaying melody. 7 Gradually the soft air swelled into fire and passion, and the languor of the dancer yielded to a swifter and more tempestuous call of the bounding notes. Reeves had seen the senorita at her spe- cialty dozens of times, but never had she appeared to him so marvelously the queen of the dance. For the benefit of Judge Brand she was- fairly excelling herself. Gliding toward the splendidly costumed Quesada, she smiled, allured and drew him out upon the floor. Then the two advanced, retreated and went through all the differ- ent measures. But the don was not himself. While he danced with the senorita, his glances were all for Lady Ann. He bungled, he slipped and almost overturned Ma Bobbett where she sat in her chair. This exhibition aroused the seforita’s temper. Whirling in contempt from the gaily bedecked don, she danced around the More than likely, some- . PER CONTRACT. 303 circle of onlookers. Her bright eyes roved from face to face and she half-approached Reeves. The Tenderfoot smiled as the Mexicana swept past him, and then he chuckled as she made the judge her object of attack. The onlookers considered this a mere compliment to the honored guest of the camp; but, to the surprise of all, the judge took it more seriously. While Don Quesada stood apart, stunned at being so ignored, the old gentleman galloped forward in his cowhide boots and pulled away the ban- danna that was knotted at his throat. “Whoo-ee!”’ he yelled, and whirled away in the swirling mazes of the dance. The judge was no amateur at that sort of thing. This fact was quickly made evi- dent to all. With a grace and vigor which many a younger man might have envied he moved back and forth in perfect time with the music and his heavy shod feet dropped lightly on the rough boards of the floor. “Bravo!” yelled Pop Handy, clapping his hands. ‘‘Ain’t ary man here can shake his foot with the jedge!” The applause went round, and everybody took part in it save Don Quesada. He knew that he had made a miserable specta- cle of himself, and the red of humiliation crept into his face and an angry gleam shone in his eyes. 3 That Judge Brand was thoroughly enjoy- ing himself was proved by the gleeful whoops to which he gave vent at frequent intervals. No cavalier could have been more attentive to the senorita than he. Finally the two were dancing with the girl holding to one corner of the bandanna; and then, at the end, when the music crashed to a close, the judge dropped with a flourish and the senorita sat on his lifted knee. This tableau completed the dance. Amid the cheering and hand-clapping that fol- lowed, the old gentleman, a bit breathless from his efforts, led the Mexicana to a seat and placed her in it with a courtly bow. ‘He can clean up on the camp bad man an’ he can outshine the don himself on a dancin’ floor,” murmured Lafe Smedders; “what-all can’t he do, I wonder?” As Brand straightened himself after making his devoirs to the seforita, his eyes fell upon Lady Ann, who sat near.. He stared at something which encircled Lady CORMMICLOOOKS Gc (C@)