The Argosy, Vol. 76, No. 3 — page 88: what you’re looking at

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

658 His voice died out in the sullen hum of the mill. King, still shouting fren- ziedly, raced on to the sleeping day- shift with his news. O’Hara would have gone in pursuit of Deane had not Mariquita stopped him. “It is not Deane but Bremerton who should have our attention now, Mr. O’Hara,” said she. “ Help me!” The Irishman was like a man in a dream. He and the girl, between them, gathered Bremerton up in their arms and carried him to the bed in the other room. Then an oath burst from O’Hara and he ran out into the night, Half-clad men were rushing from the bunk-house. The mill clattered into silence, and Gorman led a wild group over the ore- platform and to- ward the office. “Who did it?” shouted Gorman. “Ts it true?” ‘“ True as gospel,” answered O’ Hara. “Deané shot Bremerton down. Find Deane—don’t let him be after getting away. He’s in this camp!” But Deane was not inthe camp. He had taken Mariquita’s horse, which was ready at his hand by the corral, and had fled. All the live-stock was pressed into service for the chase. O’Hara took one cayuse, and Red Collins another. Case went bareback on one of his horses, and King took the other. Dutch Fred’s team was likewise requi- sitioned. “The doctor and the sheriff, we need them again,” called O’Hara as he gal- loped away. “ King, that’s your work! ”’ The little cyanid expert, for once in his life, felt equal to anything. He started on the long ride to town. For the rest of that night mining and milling were forgotten. The men clus- tered in groups around the headquar- ters adobe, talked while waiting for the searchers to return, and looked through the window at the prostrate, silent form on the bed. Mariquita was doing what she could. She was all womanly tenderness, and THE ARGOSY. whenever her hands touched Bremer- ton it was like a caress. Giles, the one-eyed, tiptoed into the room. He carried his hat in his hand. ‘ D’ye think he’ll live, mum? ” “Oh, he will; he must!” the girl answered. “ Have you sent for a doctor? ” “King went, but it’s a long trip, and it will be sunup afore any one from town gits here. What can we do, mum?” “TI can do everything,” quita. “And he’s goin’ to pull through? ” “Yes, yes!” Giles tiptoed out again and spread the news. A faint, husky cheer came from the men. Bremerton had proved himself a man, and his hold upon the workers had strengthened even beyond his own knowledge. Slowly the dark hours slipped away, and Mariquita sat by the unconscious Bremerton, clasping his hand and wait- ing and hoping for the return of con- sciousness. One by one the searchers came back. Deane had eluded them. ©’Hara resolutely took his place at Mariquita’s side. He was somber and grief-stricken for his friend and all consideration and kindliness toward said Mari- the girl. “Go home, Miss Mallory,” he begged. “ ‘Tis too much for you. You're like a ghost.” “ Don’t ask me to leave “him,” answered. “TI can’t.” O’Hara looked at her closely, and a flash of understanding broke over him. He smiled softly. “Tf that’s the way of it,” said he, “then sure you must stay.” They fought hard for hours to bring Bremerton back. Ragged streamers of dawn floated over the eastern hills before they succeeded. The first face Bremerton saw was Mariquita’s. His blank eyes slowly filled with realiza- tion. “T did my best for you, novia,” he muttered. she COMicdoo S CO@