Argosy All-Story Weekly, January 21, 1922 — page 46: what you’re looking at

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

36 alarming ferocity. Taurog decided to play a much surer game. When he was completely out of sight of the town he struck westward for the trail which led up into the crater where he had built his house and home. An hour’s heavy riding brought him to a long-falling cafion, at one end of which was a granite gateway or gorge. The ride grew constant- ly more difficult as the gorge was ap- proached. It was five miles over a rocky trail, between overhanging hills that steep- ened and came closer together. Despite the great canopy of stars part of the path as it neared the, western gateway was al- most pitch dark. The gorge opened into a steep-walled, circular gulch, which was the crater of an extinct volcano, and on its huge flat bottom there was a small cone, riddled with caves and surmounted by a pueblo- like house—Taurog’s nest. The first thing that met the eye once the gorge was passed was this fortresslike pile of rock in the center of the crater- bed. A narrow, steep path wound around the base of this cone and approached the house by a long series of steps. The interior of Taurog’s castle was vault- like; comfortable now because cool and drafty. A huge fireplace, blackened but empty, with flagstones for a_ hearth, stretched the entire width of the main room. Candles softened the harsh stone Walls. Chunky oak furniture, stoneware bowls, In- dian baskets and pottery enlivened an other- wise sinister scene. On the floor were puma skins—a dozen of them—which maintained the dull, barbaric monotone. The only touches of color were the red and yellow Hopi blankets. A large woman—half-breed white and Mexican—took Taurog’s sombrero, saw the troubled look in his eyes and checked her- self in the act of greeting him. She gave evidence of having once been handsome, but now her dark eyes were pouchy, her mouth drooped and painted. | “Don’t bother me to-night, Nell,” Tau- rog said as he took off his spurs and threw them on the floor. ‘“ I want to see Kirbie— and you keep out!” Nell Gamble had long since fallen from her exalted position in the heart of Tau- ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. rog to a disgruntled and rather slovenly ‘“ housekeeper.” She mumbled at him. ““ Nowadays you come home and treat me like a servant. What am I in this house, anyway?” | “You're my sweetheart,” Taurog re- joined. “So get the hell out of here and find Kirbie.” He threw himself into a chair, lit a big cigar, and puffed thick, bluish clouds into the dim ceiling. A tremendous yellow dog, which might have been Dane and wolf, stuck its ugly head over the arm of Tau- rog’s chair. It was a hideous beast, and the chain clanking from its neck gave evi- dence of the power in its sleek shoulders and glistening fangs. Into this scene stepped Taurog’s foster- daughter, Kirbie—a telling contrast to the woman who had just gone out. She was a slim, graceful figure, with hair done up by her Hopi servant in a manner that was Strangely beautiful. A large jade comb flashed out with the same dancing reflec- tion of candlelight which could’ be seen in her eyes. They were not black eyes, al- though their slanting lids gave that im- pression. They were rather of a gray, which, in the candlelight, approached green. Her arms were slender, of a soft olive, vivid in contrast to a black silk mantilla and the red calico dress. This picture pleased Taurog. He sur- veyed the girl with an indulgent smile, while two long puffs of smoke came slowly from his nostrils. His smile was indulgent, not because of any love he might have for her. He was thinking of his plan to get Jim Quade. This girl was an important part of his plan. ‘“T thought I’d ride ahead and have a little visit with you before you turned in,” Taurog said. Kirbie paused before running to Taurog to kiss him. There was a curious look upon his face—something she had never seen be- fore. She knew that this man was not her real father, and for that reason she was sometimes intuitively afraid. Instead of kissing him she took the bandanna which he wore about his huge red neck and wiped away the dust and sweat of his forehead. Taurog drew her to him so as to put her on comiclboooks C©