Argosy All-Story Weekly, March 15, 1924 — page 136: what you’re looking at

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

x MYSTERY LAND. 765 i , “ Well, now,” he said, “ that doesn’t show 1? any great disability! |- “ Mr. Warren went with me,” she went on, looking downward and not meeting _Channing’s eyes. “And Mr. Warren gave me some news which is going to change things very much, Channing.” ‘““T reckon changes are bound to come, Eve,” was his grave observation. “You will be surprised, Channing.” “Well, mebbe. But I reckon I’ll be able to stand it.” . “Are you sure, Channing? You are never going to be angry with me, are you?” shucks!” | ““T knew it. Channing, do you know what brought Mr. Warren out here?” ‘“T never could guess.” ‘Channing, Mr. Warren is the son of the man who7’is really my guardian. He told me about Green, the man mother and myself worked for years ago, who Is now trying to make people believe he has au- thority over me. Green is an impostor. Jim Lane knows. it, for. he has communicated with Mr. Warren’ s father. “Mr. Warren came out here to make cer- tain of my identity. My. father, who was divorced by my mother, was very rich. He died two years ago and left a great deal of money to me. And now, Channing, I must go away for a time.” ‘“¢ When are you goin’?” Channing’s voice was low, even.” “ To-morrow afternoon. Mr. Warren is going to call for me and drive me over to Red Mesa in a buckboard.” ‘So Warren’s “ peregrinations ” been senseless wanderings after all! hadn’t There ~ had been deep method in his apparent aim- lessness. Channing was silent after utter- ing the one sentence: “I’m a heap pleased that things have turned out this way, Eve.” “Are you sure, Channing?” asked Eve, breaking the silence. “T reckon. This ain’t no place for a girl like you, Eve. You'll be a lot happier Fast.” “T’m not sure,” she said doubtfully. And then, slowly, hesitatingly, she asked: ‘Channing, do you like Mr. Warren?” Even if Bassett hadn’t told him about seeing Warren and Eve kissing, Channing would have known now. For he caught the eager note in her voice, divined the agitation behind the question. If there had been light enough he was sure he would find her face suffused with blushes. He had suffered the real pang of disap- pointment when Bassett had told him about the kissing. Eve's words and manner were merely corroboration. . ‘“‘ Warren is a man, Eve,” he said quietly, “‘T hope you will be happy with him.” “ You knew!” she breathed, astonished... “‘ Shucks!”’ he said. “ I saw that the first day—when you an’ me went over to‘call on him.” . ‘And you are not angry at me? Or dis- appointed?”? The last very softly. “ Disappointed because you’re goin’ to be happy? Shucks, Eve!” That was all he could trust himself to say. He’d say more to her to-morrow, after he had schooled himself to fortitude that he did not feel at this minute. He patted her on a shoulder, told her he’d-see her: before she left on the morrow—and turned away. But he was back after he had taken one step. “ That ain’t your horse,” he said. “He belongs to Mr. Warren,” sne ali- swered, ‘ Mine was hurt when [ took that tumble. J had to leave him. After I go ' youll ride over and get him, won’t you, - Channing. I'll want him again some day.” “Ves,” he said. “Ill not forget.” She took his hands, squeezed them im- pulsively, remounted the horse and rode to- ward the house. Channing watched her until she vanished into the shadows near the rear veranda, until he saw her again, faintly, dismounting at the edge of the veranda. He made out that she was. hitch- ing the horse to one of the columns. That meant she intended to ride again, he sup- posed. Well, let her ride. She’d want to ride out again in the darkness, to enjoy alone her new happiness. He knew what that meant. The feel of the cool night air against one’s cheeks; the mighty panorama of clouds and sky, mvsterious, ever-changing. ~ TO BE CONCLUDED NEXT WEEK GOMIIGOOO