Argosy, Vol. 117, No. 2 — page 159: what you’re looking at

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

JERRY THE SPIRITED. sen’s place to see if you could find some of your old associates,” Jerry said. “ You didn’t find them, so you fawned on Jensen. You tipped him off to what an easy thing it would be to rob the pay-car. I s’pose you've pulled off a stunt like that yourself in your travels.” The man sighed. “ Afore Gregg died me and him and two other men tried it,’ he said. “ But we wa’n’t successful. If we had got away with’ that, I would of been fixed fine for my life- time. The idea has always been stickin’ in my mind. I’ve mentioned it before and I mentioned it to Jensen. Jensen is the first man I ever got interested in it. It ought to be easy.. Gosh dang it! There’s the car with the boodle inside it. ~-A few good men could rush the car an’ carry off the boodle before the paymaster an’ the one or two men with him could wink an eye, them bein’ sleepy at the time the attack was made.” ‘ “They’re planning to rob the car to- night,” Jerry said. “ Did you know that?” ‘“T’ve told you what’s been done in the past, but I ain’t no prophet,” the man sneered. | : Jerry turned back to Mamie as a low, dry sob escaped her lips. “You'd better take me home and then go away where I'l] never see you again, Jerry,” she said. “Go away?” Jerry gasped. and leave you?” “Why, you won’t want to see me after what my father has confessed,’ Mamie said. ‘“ He’s a murderer, a robber, a black- mailer. He’s everything that’s bad, and “Go away he glories‘in it. -You can’t marry a girl who — has a father like that.” ‘“ Hell!’ said Jerry Donovan. “It’s enough to make a man swear,” Jerry ground out. For a moment he stood looking at her and then he strode over to her and swept. her into his arms. He kissed her lips with rough ardor. ““You’re mine forever and forever,” he declared. ‘Say that: Forever and for- ever.” pS “ But Jerry—” 309 “T’ve had enough beating around the bush. I’ve had enough nonsense. You're gomg to marry me in spite of all the crooks in the world. This tanglefoot business has — got to stop. Say it!” The girl looked up into his eyes. They were warm with love for her, and his en- circling arms were strong. In fact, Jerry felt as if he were having a renascence of love and strength. cculd raise now would be futile against that leve and that strength. He knew she loved him, needed him, and wanted him. He was going to have no more arguments. “Say it!” he repeated. His voice was low now, with a lover’s pleading note in it, but he still held her close. Her lids fluttered down. She had a de- licious sense of peace and security at a time when she sorely needed that sense. ‘““ Forever and forever,” she whispered. Jerry kissed her again and she kissed him. Jerry released her then and turned to McBride. The two young people, to whom life’s best gifts were coming, faced the hardened man at whose back the ghosts of a dark past gibbered. “ What do_you expect to do now?” Jerry asked.. ‘“T expect to hang around here and get my piece from Jensen and have Mamie carry out her agreement.” “You'll get nothing from Jensen, for Jensen will be dead or locked up before dawn,” Jerry said. ‘‘ Mamie’s agreement is as if she had never made it. She made it only to protect her mother.” , Jerry’s hand tightened on the girl’s. “Mamie’s mother died to-night,” Jerry finished. McBride’s face paled. Fright came into his eyes. “You're lyin’,” he said. ‘““T’m not lying,” Jerry said soberly. “T’m telling you the truth. Do you think that, with Mamie standing here at my side, I would lie about a thing like that?” McBride appeared to pluck up hope. His face hardened. “Well, I guess Mamie ain’t goin’ to go back on her old father,” he said. ‘“ I guess she ain’t goin’ to see her father go to | ECORMICLOOOkKS Any objection Mamie (C@