Argosy All-Story Weekly, March 15, 1924 — page 135: what you’re looking at

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

764 She lifted her gaze to his, and Warren could see that her eyes were troubled. “‘Wayne,”’ she said slowly, “ do you think Channing likes me?” “ He couldn’t help that, of course.’ “ Do you think he loves me?” “ Well—er—yes; I think he does. But it isn’t—” He drew his brows together doubtfully. it isn’t the sort of love that—” He paused and blushed. “ What I mean io say is that Channing no doubt loves you in about the way a brother loves a sister. “You see, Eve, Channing is getting along in years. He’s thirty-seven. Besides, if he Joved you as I love you he wouldn’t have stayed around you without wanting to mar- ry you. It isn’t reasonable!” Wayne was-undoubtedly right.. That was Eve’s decision. And yet, somehow, she felt that Wayne hadn’t expressed it just right. There was something more to be considered —a something that had always:swam deep jn Channing’s eyes, unexpressed, unfathom- able. Her happiness of to-day was haunted by that curious expression; Channing’s tase . was ever before her. From the very first she had loved him. . But her feeling toward him was not like that she felt for Warren; it had never had the fire and the thrill that was in her affec- tion for Warren. She couldn’t love both men, of - course.’ One or the other of them she must give up, _must forget. It would have to be Channing, too; she knew that. And yet her heart was. heavy as she rode on. by Warren’s side, ‘ because she knew, now that she, discovered the meaning of love, that Channing loved her. tween them—Warren and herseli—they had decided. that. she could no longer stay at Warren’s cabin. “It won't be long, though, ” said Warren as they halted at the base of the hill where the trails diverged—one leading to the Cir- cle B, the other to Warren’s cabin, south- ward. ? ‘To-morrow aigne we ‘start East, ” he added. ‘I have arranged for a buckboard to take our things over. I'll call for you early, so we won’t have to hurry.” j “ But it isn’t—that is, I think Eve wae going back to the Circle B. Be ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. Warren rode southward. He looked back many times, waving his hand to her as long as. he could see her. And then Eve rode slowly toward the Circle B. | The sun was going down. As she rode onward it sank behind a distant mountain range, bathing. the world with a flood of - orange and gold. Shadows. stole out. from the bases of the mountains; a rose veil was drawn from north to south, shutting off the western horizon. The sky changed from orange and gold to amethyst and pearl, the - varied colors of the afterglow faded; and suddenly the dusk had come. . '“s Eve rode down past the bunk and mess houses, near the corral. Since she had got a vision of a new life, the old scenes had lost their charm. She was reluctant to enter the ranch house, because she now loathed Bassett and she didn’t want to meet him, to listen to the rebuke that was sure to come, She knew Bassett didn’t know what had © happened to her; he had no knowledge of her injury; she was not certain that he knew of the shooting of Jay Ventray. He would think evil of her, anyway, no matter: what knowledge he had, and she didn’t want to listen to him. Almost in. front. of the bunk house She came upon Channing. He was. crossing the level between the corral and the stable. In the dim light she could see his ‘horse standing near the corral fence, saddled and bridled. Channing had just ridden in. He was at her stirrup when she drew her horse to a halt. She felt a sudden. pity for him as she saw his face in the dim light, his eyes glowing at sight of her. ‘“ So you’re back?” he said, his voice leap- ing strangely. “I reckon you're feelin’ a lot better?” : ‘Tm all right now, Channing,” she an- swered. She slipped out of the saddle and stood beside him, looking up at him. She was going to find it very hard to tell him. _ “You're. sure your head doesn’t hurt any?” he asked. ° She shrank at the grave solicitation in his voice. She felt unworthy, guilty. “ Not a bit,” she replied. She Jaughed tremulously. ‘“ Why, I’ve. been to "Red Mesa!” she told him. — C@ DOO! KS 5) c C@