Argosy All-Story Weekly, January 13, 1923 — page 45: what you’re looking at

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

AIOE sp SPOS aN ge ae z WHEN A MAN’S BROKE. men of the district, had become a sort of slogan among his more substantial neigh- bors. 3 This was Steve Brown’s second reason for abhorring Mr. Horner. His third rea- son was the most potent of all, and had to do with Bruce Horner, the model son of this virtuous man. The whole town knew that Bruce stood ready to marry Nell Frazer and give her a good home as soon as she could be cured of her infatuation for the wild Steve Brown, who hung around low livery stables. To see the lean, sharp-featured, impor- tant-mannered A. P. Horner in the flesh was to reach instinctively for one’s hat and stand uncovered. To see Bruce, the model son, was to reach for a brick. And, behold, unbeknownst to Steve, the Frazers had placed their affairs in Mr. Hor- ner’s hands. He wondered suddenly if they had borrowed any of Mr. Horner’s money. Neil was going on with her explanation to Mr. Lutwell. ‘We had wanted papa to write you about his prospect, and he wouldn’t. He was too modest. He thought it would be presuming on old friendship. But Janet and I took the matter out of his hands and asked Mr. Horner to write you, and then we told papa what we had done.” ‘ And this is the letter we got,” said Lut- well in disgust. He took the letter from Frazer’s hand and read aloud Mr. Horner’s last paragraph— - “T must tell you frankly that some Den- ver investors had a look at the opportunity last winter and turned it down. But [I still believe that Frazer could interest some one who was not in a hurry for immediate re- turns.” Laird put in a word. this agent of yours, Dr. Frazer.” “ He couldn’t promote a sand bank for me,” snorted Lutwell. ‘“ Why didn’t he say something about the process you’ve invent- ed for smelting this queer ore of yours?” ‘“ 7] can’t understand,” Frazer faltered. “The most important point!” Nell gasped. “The worst is yet to come,” Lutwell pur- sued. ‘ Arthur, tell ’em about the ore sam- ples.” | “ Some live wire, . > eo SS SS Se ae ee ee Soe Oe ee le ae 507 “Tt will hurt you to hear this,” said Laird, “‘ but you ought to know the truth. The stuff Horner sent us showed hardly a trace of platinum.” With saddened faces the Frazers pon- dered this charge against a neighbor whom they had trusted. Seeing how badly shocked they were, Lutwell brought the matter to a quick conclusion. “We wrote and turned him down,” said he cheerily, “‘ which was just what he want- ed, I reckon. Then I wrote you personally to find out if you were you, and you were. And you sent us some real samples, and here we are, Horner or no Horner. Tell me one thing more. Has A. P. Horner any contract or agreement with you that would stop you from selling us an interest in your mine to-morrow?”’ ‘““ None whatever,’’ Nell answered for her father. “Good. To-morrow, then, we'll have a look at your rock and talk business.” And Mr. Lutwell winked at Janet in a way that Steve Brown thought quite fatherly. Nell remarked that it was a wonderfully clear night. Had the gentlemen ever seen the stars from the depths of a canon? ‘““Y’d rather see a good soft bed,” the travel-jaded Lutwell answered. ‘‘ Stars are for the young. Go take a look, Arthur.” So Laird and Nell went down the path under the spruces until they came out under the open sky; and there they walked and talked a long enough while for many new stars to swing into sight above the canon rim. When they had returned out of the dew and Laird had followed his chief to bed, Steve entered the lamp-lit sitting room, where Nell was putting things to rights for the night. He saw that her eyes were bright with tears. Laird, the family friend of better days, had probably talked with her about her father. Words, even kindly ones, are sometimes an invasion. Steve knelt down before the fireplace, laid the charred stick ends against the glowing backlog and banked the embers in ashes. - She paused beside him on the hearth and rested her hand on his head. EO PMIC OOO