Argosy All-Story Weekly, October 6, 1923 — page 116: what you’re looking at

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

a she said humbly. against any man. 898 and I will not beturtied aside. : justice. That will I have.” You bear no malice toward the man who shot him?” “TY don’t know. I suppose, even after all these years, that the sight of him would | fill my heart: with hatred. But I would try to forgive him. But I haven’t kept him before me—I haven’t thought about him. And I guess that sums up just what I am trying to say to you—that it is an = affront to God to brood over an injustice, to keep it ever before you—alive and grow- ne until you become its slave.” -Necia’s voice had risen, and she stopped, ‘surprised at herself. “J hadn’t meant to say quite that,” “Forgive me.’ But: Joseph had been deeply stirred, and he gave no sign that he heard her now. ~“T have tried to keepshatred out of my : = heart!” he exclaimed earnestly, “for the _ dead cannot be avenged through hate. But 7 I have come back to right a great wrong, I ask only “But justice that demands an eye for an eye is often less than justice.” : = _ “And yet, I shall demand no less.” His —— voice was determined, almost sullen in its intensity. lives and happiness of those who have ‘wronged me and mine in my hand. I can SS crush | them as you would crush an egg “ At this moment, I hold the _ As easily as that!” — Joseph had put out his hand, and Necia ~ held her breath as she wate his fingers __¢lose until the nails sank into his flesh. ~ _“ And still—I have yet to raise my hand ‘ Vengeance is mine,’ the Lord has said, and I do not intend to pre- sume with Him. But if I do—if because I see in myself the messenger of His will —J will fail. Beyond all else, I am true to myself. No one can alter my purpose. Whenever opportunity has offered, I have never failed to do a man a favor. I have _ given all, and asked nothing.” = __ Necia declared. — you now respect you. friends, whether you know it or not. - “ And already you have your reward,” “Men who scoffed at You could do RE eee of as alley a wonder- ful service.” “T have,” —— answered simply as | = You have made ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. have warned them. But they have not listened, even though the signs are every- where. Not in fifty years has this valley been without water, so they see in me only a fanatic—a preacher of religion, your grandfather called me.” * But grandfather respects you. not know that he does, When you spoke to him, he knew that he heard the truth. There—he is calling me —you will come again?” “TY may—have to,’ Joseph murmured with peculiar emphasis. him questioningly. *“* Have to?” she queried. Joseph nodded. “Your grandfather has never recalled the reward he offered for the capture of the man who killed your Ue I Bay decide He does to claim it.” ‘Necia drew back in ‘surprise, “You know where to find him?” de asked eagerly. “He has never been away. the man you suspect.” Thad had been standing beside Angel’s buggy, waiting, and he started toward the He is not side door now to find out what kept Necia. She heard him approaching, and she put her hand upon Joseph’s arm again, touching him lightly. “Tell me his name,” she demanded. Her voice trembled. “Not to-night,” Joseph answered> “ He is a brute and a bully—a coward. He shot your father in the back.” Necia’s eyes flamed as Joseph spoke. Her face was as stern as his own, now. “Tf IT reveal his identity,” he went on, “it will cost him his life. You think it over. | do not demand that he pay for what he has done—I will give you his name.” Horror crept into Necia’s eyes as she realized what he proposed. “J understand you perfectly,” she flared back. “You ask me to prove myself wrong—you make it very, very hard for me. 3) Her tone stabbed Joseph, and ie “was about to speak when See Se reached the door.” | - but—he does. Necia glanced at Tf you can tell me when you see me again, that you forgive him—that you (@) om books.co