The Argosy, Vol. 76, No. 3 — page 15: what you’re looking at

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

GOLD GRABBERS. ‘“] don’t want to tax your strength, and I should not have come at this hour if another would have served. It was after seven when I reached Pheenix, and by sunrise to-morrow I shall be on my way into the hills. Ina few words give me the gist of the situation.” “What did Deane tell you? ”’ “A good deal, but nothing bearing on the real trouble. With two super- intendents dealt with as you and the other have been, in a mining district supposed to be peaceable and law- abiding, there’s a deep grievance some- where. What was it Deane left un- said?” “It 1s all a mystery to me, Bremer- ton.” Lacey picked thoughtfully at the bedclothes with his gaunt, trem- bling fingers. ‘“ You took the job on Deane’s plain say-so that everything was square? ” 6c Ves.’’ “So did I. I have had hard places before and got the whip-hand of them, but this work at the Mariquita came near being my finish. When I first came I tried to fill out the gaps Deane- left in his story. “He secured the mine from Car- ruthers, who at one time lived here. I tried to locate Carruthers, but he had decamped rather suddenly, and no one knew where he could be found. “ After I had been on the job a few days Mallory came and told me his side, and used threats. I always look with suspicion upon a’ cause that is bolstered up with threats. I was short enough with Mallory, and then I was downed with a cowardly shot from the brush.” “Who is Mallory? Deane did not mention him.” : “Mallory bonded the mine from Car- ruthers, and failed to come across with the cash when the time limit expired.” “Ah!” murmured — Bremerton. “And what did Mallory tell you, Lacey?” “No use going into that. The old scoundrel will see you soon and tell you the same thing. What I want you to 485 know, what I want you to understand, is this: 1f ever you looked on the bright face of danger, and felt the zround opening beneath you and your feet slip- ping toward bottomless deeps, remem- ber your peril when Mallory’s girl con- fronts you, as she surely will.” “A womant” A faint smile crossed the strong, sun-browned face of Brem- erton. “‘ How is Mallory’s girl mixed up in this?” “Sometimes I have thought she is the very soul of all the plot and coun- terplot which brought poor old Griggs- by to hts end and came so near getting me.” Bewildered: lines puckered around the sunken, gleaming eyese “But I don’t know; I don’t know. Angel or she-demon, I did not last long enough at the Mariquita to discover. When she stniled I found my danger great- est. She sent for me, told me she want- ed to give me information of value, and in riding to meet her I was snared like a helpless rabbit.” Lacey’s voice quivered with earnest- ness as he added: “ As you value your life, Bremerton, beware of Mariquita Mallory!” Bremerton would have laughed; but out of respect for this strong spirit that had tried and failed, he kept the laugh in his throat. A few women he had known, and all of the best, and he had yet to find one who could make a fool of him. His one love was the silent places—God’s great outdoors, where mountain and plain were ribbed with gold, his for the finding. A woman could have no part in that. “ I can see you think I am babbling like an idiot,” went on Lacey, still gravely and earnestly; “ but if I could tell you nothing else, that one thing I want you to know: beware of Mari- quita Mallory. Mallory himself you can take in your two hands and deal with him as an honest man deals with a scoundrel; but a woman, a beautiful woman—Bremerton, that is different.” The nurse came toward the bed, her eyes on the watch. COMicdoo S CO@