Argosy All-Story Weekly — "The Purple Limited" — page 201: what you’re looking at

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

THE MISADVENTURE OF MANUEL. “No, Don Pedro; but thinking of you, and the long years that are past has brought me to my feet this night.” .&— Sop” , “Yes, fifty years have not dimmed the memory of those dances you and I at- tended.” Insensibly the woman had as- sumed a tone of familiarity as she thought over the distant past. “So?” the man repeated, shifting un- easily, hoping she would not proceed into interminable reminiscences. Unperturbed:she continued: “ Fifty years ’ have I watched you, the wise one, the pru- dent one. Always besting the bargain, al- ways getting richer and richer; never spend- ing, always hoarding, and now—” She paused solemnly. “* Well?” he grunted. ‘“‘ And now you are overmatched—pbeaten swindled by a youth!”’. -At last Pedro seemed interested, his eyes turned searchingly upon her. “ What mean you?” he asked. ~ “All the village laughs. Old age has dulled you. A few months more, and all your savings will be gone. be, as a child’s belly.” “The moon has crazed you, woman!” “It is you who lack wit, Pedro. Each night Manuel feasts like a king; and also his wife’s people dine like royalty. All this _ food stolen right frem under your nose by Manuel! And your senile eyes and dodder- ing brain notice it not. Of a surety is the keen one dull, and the victims of your for- mer trades in the village now chuckle with glee at your downfall.” _ A. simulated pathetic note of appeal tinged the old man’s voice: “ Does all the village know this shame?” However, his Bare will you en oe eee 167 the white sand surrounding the little store. Skirting the maguey cluster whose sharp leaves resembled threatening blades up- ' raised in the silver moonlight, they came to the rear entrance of the building. Pedro unlocked and flung open the door; struck a match, and pointed to a cupboard door in the rear storeroom. His voice trem- bled“as he spoke to the woman, who stood excited and wondering at his strange ac- tions. ‘“‘ Each day, Manuel, the shameless one, puts his stolen articles secretly i in that little closet. Then, late at night, he comes back and removes them in the dark.” “ Ave Maria! whispered wonderingly. A look of cunning overspread the miser’s face. “Have I lived all these years in vain?” he hissed. a cheese, and I not know? Can callow child unnoted remove from my store the treasures of my heart? Each evening, before Manuel returns for the goods, I come in here and count them well. No item is omitted. I do not say I count them twice, but ’’—a little sigh of ineffable contentment escaped his withered lips—“ well, I am satisfied the total is not too small. The village laughs, you say? That is good. But not yet have they laughed a hearty laugh. Would you see them double up with mirth? Then come with me.” A moment more the aged couple were hastening down the road toward Manuel’s home. As they approached and looked through the open door, Manuel had finished brewing the punch to his satisfaction, and was now about to open the ball by explain- ing the beauties and the mysteries of the eyes glowed wistfully, as though he was _ phonograph, which he would command to eager that the thing be known, rather than that the bitter truth should remain con- ' cealed. ‘“‘ Of a surety,’”’ she replied impatiently. Pedro laughed aloud. “It is well,’’ he said. “It isas I hoped.” Then he grasped the woman’s arm. “Come with me a little moment.” He led her through the shade of bread- fruit-trees, whose broad, serrated leaves cast _ an intricate pattern of black lacework upon. play for them in a moment. A. theatric gesture of his arms as though ta. conjure the imprisoned spirits was interrupted by the entrance of the aged miser. Pedro Alvarez advanced across the floor, a genial smile on his usually sinister, maleo- lent face. His walk was springy, almost mincing, and his hand waved cordial greet- ing to the host and guests. Manuel stood startled, wondering. __ “ Good ‘friends all,” Pedro began, “ it is You know, then!” she “Do you think a rat may gnaw nn) (C VOO KS (C(O) (C(O) mM