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

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

546 tribute of respect and high considera- tion. Carruthers represented the evil pow- ers that had skulked in the hills, fight- ing Deane’s men savagely and murder- ously. With Carruthers, those powers had been laid low, and all the credit was given to Bremerton. A _ better spirit manifested itself among _ the workers. In the evening Bremerton and O’Hara carried their chairs out of the office and sat by the door. The Irish- man fluted the airs dearest to his heart and the other smoked reflectively. By and by the flute was laid aside and O’Hara himself filled a pipe and blew fragrant wreaths into the still air. “T’ve wired for Deane,” announced the superintendent. There was no demonstration from O’ Hara. adobe wall he puffed serenely at his pipe. “T say I have sent for Deane— asked him to come on immediately,” repeated Bremerton. “TI knew you'd do that, or go to Denver, one or the other,” said O’Hara. “ What will you do, Lee?” “What would you do, Mike?” “Divil knows. I’m _ expecting, though, that you'll keep your head and be sensible. None of the Lee Reckless in your accounting with Deane, man. You were to blame, along at the first, by getting into this so easy. Don’t for- get that.” ‘“ Carruthers,’ mused Bremerton, “got only what was coming to him. His fight with Deane was a case of diamond cut diamond, and, right or wrong, wouldn’t have been strained whichever way the cards fell. “ But, between the two of them, the Mallorys were crushed and beaten and flung to the scrap-heap. The rights most to be considered were not con- sidered at all. There’s the point that involves and concerns—me! I took Deane’s word and helped him rob the Mallorys of what was justly theirs.” Self-reproach weighed heavily in the Leaning back against the. THE ARGOSY. words. The wrath of a man who had all his life tried to be square, only to have a friend besmirch his ideals and sully his honor, swirled in the tones of Bremerton’s voice. “After all, Lee,” said O’Hara soothingly, “ ’tis no crime you’ve done. You stepped aside in taking Deane’s say-so, when you should have gone un- der the surface indications. We all do that same, more or less. When we're in wrong, the part of a wise man is to retire gracefully and in order. Which is the same as saying with as little trouble as possible. In.my opinion, the Mallorys are beyond help, so far as this ‘mine is concerned.” We'll see about that!’ and Brem- erton’s face hardened and his teeth clicked on his pipe-stem. . “You'll not take my advice, I know, in your present temper; but, so help me, I’ll be around, and I’ll have a hand in what happens if you go too far. Mind that.” At that juncture a long, black wagon rolled along the trail, turned, and came to a halt in front of the office. Two men got down from the seat and one approached Bremerton. “Mr. Bremerton? ” ** Yes.” “ The sheriff sent us out.” “Come with me,” said Bremerton, and led the way into the office. CHAPTER XXII. GORMAN, OF THE NIGHT SHIFT. It was next day that ¢ man rode out from town with an answer to Bremer- ton’s message. Shake. Knew you'd turn the trick. ° Meet me Phoenix Friday morning. The superintendent smiled grimly. Deane was coming, and he was destined to receive a few surprises—not all of them pleasant. On Thursday afternoon Bremerton sent to the bunk-house for Gorman, the night amalgamator. This millman was COMicdoo S CO@