Argosy, Vol. 118, No. 2 — page 139: what you’re looking at

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

CROSSROADS. “What d’you know?’ he asked, and strode forward with a single long stride to the bars. Standing there in the keener lighi of the lantern, she did not think him so vast, but she found his face more terrible. She could have believed anything desperate and cruel about a man with a face such as that, but she could not dream that he would throw himself away for a woman. She felt an overmastering desire to see the face of that woman. ‘What d’you know?” repeated the giant. ‘““T cannot tell.” His hand shot through the bars and caught her shoulder with a tremendous power. One pressure of that hand would have crushed her throat, and she knew it. And all the blood rushed to her heart, bat still she did not make a move to draw her knife. ‘“There’s crooked work on,” said Van Dyck, “ and you know what it is. Out with it, girl!” She shook her head. “By God!” he said with a sort of dull wonder, “I don’t think you're afraid of me, Dolores.”’ ‘““ Ah, senor,” she murmured, “ shall Do- lores fear a man who dies for the sake of a woman?” “Bah!” sneered the big man, “ they’ve been filling your ears with chatter. All lies, - Dolores, all lies. I did nothing for the sake of a woman. Well, if you won’t tell me, go back to your father and give him my mes- sage. I’ve nothing but good-will for El Tigre.” “ Senor,’ she said, ‘“‘I have been m. the church. The father has taught me prayers. I shall pray for you thrice every day.”’ She remembered with a start, and caught a hand to her eyes with a moan of horror. “‘ But to-morrow night, senor!” He waited, eager. = i - then that you die. come.’ She drew her dagger and ofiered it to him. He accepted the hilt and stood staring at the long, keen blade. ‘They will not kill you here. Let them take you, and when they have brought you out into the open, then spring on them with this knife. Can you use a knife, senor?” 9 Arcosy a men will 289 “My girl,” said Dix Van Dyck softly, ‘it’s second nature to me. Use a knife?” His large head tilted back, and he laughed softly—softly. The terror of the sound fascinated her so that she still listened after the laughter died away. “Senor, senor,’ she murmured, ‘ you were not meant to die like a dog—in a kennel!” Then, checking herself as one who said too much, she said: “ I must leave you.” She held out her hand, and he caught it eagerly. “Heart of gold!” he breathed. Pll be ready to welcome the damned greasers when they come to-morrow. This nite ih s teeth to me! Good-by, Dolores.”’ * No, No!” she cried. ‘‘ Not good-by, senor. Only adios. Adios amigo.” And she fled up the stairs, panting, wild- eyed, like one who was being pursued. * Girl, CHAPTER XXXL. EL TIGRE COVERS HIS HEAD, TRAIGHT back to the house of Senor Don Porfirio Maria Onate went Dolores. He was at the opening of the main doorway to the patio, and as she passed he merely lifted his glance to her and let it fall again, heavily. She knew he was very angry—angrier than she had ever dreamed he could be. She went straight back through the house and to the room which had been assigned to E] Tigre, apart from the servants’ quarters, for not even so great a man as Senor Onate could rank El Tigre among servants. She found her father sitting on a mat, cross-legged, and with his arms folded. It was the first time they had been together since the day he returned from the trail of Dix Van Dyck, and now he rose and stood looking out the window. The girl set her teeth in silent fury, and placed her hand on the door-knob to retreat. She had actually swung the door open, in fact, when something conquered her pride. She closed it decisively. and walked up to ihe tall Yaqui. “ It is I, Dolores,” she said angrily. He turned partially toward her at that, but his eyes still avoided her, (€(0) TOO mie cS) (EO)