Argosy, Vol. 112, No. 2 — page 39: what you’re looking at

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

A ROMANCE IN REDEMPTION. look. But he saw no reason to suspect the American’s good faith. Was he not wiring for the exact location of the party who did have the money? They could at least wait and see what came of it. So he went out, carrying the script to his superior, who was likewise satisfied, though disgruntled over the delay. Through agencies known only to the Red Guards themselves, the message was that day started on its way toward the far in- terior city which Jim had left eight days before. “But that does not help escape of you and me, Meester Herring!” protested the Czech. “Keep your shirt on, old man. I’m sStall- ing for time. You see, I’ve got a system.” ‘““ But the answer which comes back must make beeg disappointment; they will be angry to kill with us.” “T’ll risk the answer. You see, that wire doesn’t refer to Universal Harvester Com- pany funds at all—you and I and perhaps a few Bolsheviki are the only ones aware that they exist. My question refers to a lot of Y. M. C. A. funds for supplies sold to soldiers. Wheeler will answer it so. But our Bolshevik friends will never know the difference. Don’t let’s cross bridges until we come to them. Go to sleep, Joe. Mean- while I’m going to puzzle out the clap-trap in these propaganda newspapers.” VI. A QUEER change came over the “ soldat from America ” in the next two days. The house where he was confined resembled a perpetual debating society. There was much coming and going of men in uniforms and men without uniforms. All day long the peasants of the place thronged his room, sat about on the stools and benches and argued with him through the overworked and somewhat disgruntled interpreter. He told them stories about far-away America and the wrongs of the poor people who lived there. He discussed policies of government and Utopian society with them. And in turn they asked him questions. They demanded to know if the sky was blue in America as it was in Siberia. They related the information given them by a 205 recent German visitor that all the horses outside of Russia had two legs, and was it so? If it was, would the Americansky draw them a picture of a horse with two legs with his pencil? | They pictured to him the state of society soon to come in Russia, when the hated bourgeoisie should be gone and every man should have two suits of clothes and~all the land he wanted and a machine that sang music like the throat of a woman. And it went around the village and was re- ported to the gangs of mounted soldiers who passed to and fro through the place: the Americansky was being converted to the Bolsheviki. It was seemingly so. He called for the local leaders and to them gave high in- formation of affairs to the westward and the strength and morale of the Slovak sol- diers. He abused the dog of a Czech who had first come with him, He tore off his Americansky capitalistic soldier’s uniform; he wore a Russian coat and a sheepskin hat and swore angrily when no answer came to his telegram, for the poor people of the vil- lage and the people’s army needed the money. Then he proved his sincerity beyond all question: The dog of a Czech, abused be- yond all endurance, made his escape in the night. And because the Americansky knew him so well and where he would head to re- join his comrades, the Americansky was put in command of a detachment of horse and they overtook the Czech and captured him, far to the northeastward. “No,” declared the Americansky grimly, “we will not kill him—not yet. I, your brother from America, have need of him. Comrades, give his life to me. I will make him miserable, but I will use him for the purposes of the people—in my own time with his own fellow soldiers.”’ So the Czechs torturous existence was prolonged. The men of the settlement learned that he had once attempted suicide. The Americansky had checkmated him. Wherefore, the people criticised the Ameri- cansky. “Wait! In my own good time I shall have use for him, maybe to get you the - money.”’ Eomicbooks