The Argosy, Vol. 84 No. 1 — page 102: what you’re looking at

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

“Norcross Forbes SYNOPSIS OF CHAPTERS ALREADY PRINTED. HILE traveling in Egypt, Gerard Derby receives a letter from his father, in reply to one from the son in which he has mentioned his enjoyment of the society of Gladys Hayden. The father makes it quite plain that henceforth the son must shift for himself, all that he can expect to receive being a thousand shares of the I. O. U. mining stock, one of the few bad investments the elder Detby ever made. He tells Gladys frankly his prospects, and she as frankly states that only misery, in her mind, can follow marriage with a poor man. So he sets sail for the United States, and after various vicissitudes and in spite of a warning against certain mysterious Vampas in the neighborhood, he determines to look up his I. O. U. mine for himself. Meanwhile, Nancy Gale, whose father had left her in the hope of raising money to hold the mining claim he had staked out, is without word from him, and at last Patrick, her old man-of-all- work, goes to seek provisions. Then appears West Symmonds, of the neighboring Esperanza mine, giving her her choice of agreeing to marry him in half an hour, or of—the other thing. .“ West Symmonds,” she answers, “I am in your power; but never while there is life in me will I be married to you of my own will.” He thereupon seizes her in: his arms. CHAPTER V. monds. The latter, astounded at the sud- denness of the attack, bent back and fell beneath the impetus of the rush. PITEOUS shriek broke from Nan- The stranger was lighter and smaller, cy’s lips. As if sent by Providence, and fought desperately to hold the advan- in answer came the thud of a heavy — tage of his upper position. But weight boot against the panel of the door. The told, and Symmonds, heaving his shoul- lock did not give. «An instant’s delay, ders like great piston-rods, rolled his op- then a tinkle and crash of broken glass, ponent to his side, then, heaving and tug- and a man hurled himself through the’ ging, gradually forced him onto his back. window, low set to the ground. Neither man said a word. Gasping, Staggering to his feet, hands and face they clenched in a death embrace. No bloody from the cuts inflicted by the rules of fair fight prevailed. Teeth sank glass, the man flung himself upon Sym- into flesh, and wrists wet with sweat This story began in the November Argosy. 92 DECIDING ON LIFE OR DEATH, - COMIC DOOKS (©)