Argosy, Vol. 120, No. 1 — page 61: what you’re looking at

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

rad RESURRECTION Over Dean’s face there came a gradual change. His eyes slowly lighted. “In his heart little embers of hope began to glow. | There was no denying her imperious look. His lips opened, and he spoke hoarsely: “ I —I apologise. I—I do not believe—that, Marta!” . She swept on breathlessly, still clutching his wrist, trembling in her eagerness: “ And I’m not with Burchard. You un- derstand? My eyes are open to Burchard. I saw him to-night-—for the first time—as he really is. I—had hoped for Burchard. I had hoped to respect him—and love him. I can never de that now—never in all eternity. I want you to understand that, too, Frazier Dean.” _» “ Marta!” No matter what happens, I’m ‘No. done with him. And, Dean—if you let Burchard take your gold—” “ Let him!’ Dean’s voice rose in a vol- ume that was startling contrasted to- his deadly monotone of the past few minutes. ‘“‘Let him take it!” He laughed suddenly and with a savage exultation. ‘“‘ Before Burchard gets anything of mine he’s going to have the fight of his life—he and Blye and all of them. He'll get it over my dead body. I’m going to fight!” ‘* Splendid! ”’ “Yes, splendid. The world’s splendid. Life is splendid. To fight is splendid—for I have something to fight for!” ‘‘And somebody to fight beside you,” Marta, added joyfully. CHAPTER IX. SPLENDID LIVING. “ AND somebody to fight beside you,” Marta had said. Dean answered with a hasty frown. ““ Here, that won’t do—that sort of thing. This—well, it isn’t going to be a—lady’s fight, you know—” “I’m no lady,” Marta smiled whimsi- cally, her brilliant gaze on—Dean’s face. “‘ I’m just a woman, Dean—dquite capable of throwing things, when I’m angry. And— I want to fight—beside you.” ‘““Can’t be done. Not here—this time. one against five! DAY. ol Now, you sneak, out of here, off into the dark—” | ry 4 Dean' 3) “Keep away until—well, until you see how things are going—” Marta shook her head. “You think I’d do that? Leave you— A fine opinion—’” ‘““ My dear—young lady!” Dean seized her firmly by the arm. ‘ Come, now,” he said soothingly. ‘“ Why—why you’re not dressed for fighting. A low-cut gown, silk slippers. Come—’” But Marta struggled angrily. There were tears in her eyes, tears of anger and vexa- tion. ‘‘ You—dare to make fun of me—” she began. « Dean! ? _ Burchard stood in the doorway. He held a pistol leveled at Dean. Behind him, dimly -visible, were three other men, the men Blye had chosen from his crew—men he could trust. Dean whirled about, then stood very still, on his face a queer look of mingled embar- rassment and surprise. ‘ Oh—hello, Bur- chard!” Burchard permitted himself just a shadow of a smile. Dean did seem a little ridicu- lous, turned to stone by the nose of a pistol. . Sorry, ”” said Burchard briefly. ‘“ Don’t you think you’d better put your hands up?” “Seems a bit melodramatic, but—” Dean raised his arms slowly until they stretched high above his head. ‘“‘That’s safer,” Burchard nodded. suppose you know why we're here?” “Why, yes—I suppose so—” “We'll get it over as quickly—and pain- lessly as possible. Sorry to make all this fuss about it, but you will have to keep your hands in the air—and I warn you I’m a good shot and not in the least afraid to “Tt -shoot, if I have to.” Burchard moved int slowly from the done the pistol trained steadily on its mark. Dean’s face had not lost its queer min- gling of shamefaced surprise. Marta watched ‘the two men, aghast. The fear that Dean was a physical coward flooded her mind, and her cheeks turned alternately red and white. Burchard advanced, looking well pleased. or 1NOO COIN (-) CO