Argosy All-Story Weekly, July 1, 1922 — page 17: what you’re looking at

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

WHISPERING SAGE, under the look of contempt with which she swept him from head to foot. “So, Mr. Fresh! For once you tell the truth, huh?” ‘“‘T sure didn’t know I was intruding on any party, seforite. I just came up to say good-by. I broke that bad gray for Este- ban. That caballo ’ll be gentle enough for you to ride now.” Acklin got to his feet. “Well, I guess I’ll get my hat and run along,” he said in that tired way which was common withehim. Bodine waited until the big cowman was. out of earshot. In a voice that held all the intimacy he could put into it he whispered: ‘‘ He’d bea great catch for you, little girl.” His sedulous eyes appraised her as they had at their first meeting. All women in- terested Bodine, but not in quite the par- ticular way that she did. It was because of Mercedes that he cultivated her brother, ‘Esteban. “You think so, eh?” she asked taunting- ly. “‘ For why I want to catch him?” She stamped her foot angrily. Bodine bent over her. me, guerida; I won’t tell.” “Trust you,’ she mimicked. “I wouldn’t trust you that far.”” She snapped her fingers to show him. Buck grinned. There was a charm, 2 certain air of ease, here at the Rancho Buena Vista that had eluded Bodine all his life; something from which it seemed he had been excluded. It nettled him. Mercedes caught the thought in his eyes. “Yow’re plumb beautiful when you get het up, Miss Mercedes,” he said insidiously. “T hope to admire you are. I like spirit in a@ woman, same as I do in a horse.” “You like to break that spirit, too, huh? You best not try those tricks on me. You make me what you call tired.” Like an angry terrier she flounced out of her chair and left Bodine to himself. She slammed the screen door behind her. “Burn up, you little she-devil!” he mut- tered under his breath. “I bet I'l break you of that before I’m through.” Acklin came along then, and they walked ‘to their horses together. “You can trust 807 “Which way you going?” Bodine asked. “‘ Back to the Bull’s Head.” “‘T’ll side you as far as the Webster, if you have no objection.” “No harm in that,” Acklin answered, “* Come along.” CHAPTER III. “BUT WHY TALK OF LAW?” CKLIN was anxious to talk to Bodine. Esteban waved them good-by as they cantered away. Buck was the first to break the silence. “ Nice little bag of tricks back there.” He laughed. Acklin looked at him, but did not answer. ‘“‘ Her bosco dad might hold her down to convention,” the other went on. ‘“‘ But her mother’s white blood might make her listen to reason.” He paused until he was sure Acklin followed him. ‘“ That is, if the big boss used a little reason.” ‘“‘' What are you hinting at?” Acklin de- manded peremptorily. ‘You don’t mean to tell me you are seri- ous with that kid, do you?” They were walking their horses. Acklin pulled up. He held Bodine’s eye. “‘ Suppose we leave her out of this?” he said icily. “Tt’s none of my business, Acklin. I just wondered what your game was.” “ What’s yours?” Acklin drove his question home so sud- denly that Bodine was stumped for an an- swer. “Well,” he said at last, “now we are getting somewheres.”’ ‘What do you mean?”’ “Oh, nothing; only these foreigners seem to be damned prosperous around here, don’t they? From your nest at the Bull’s Head these ranches down here must look pretty sweet. What a place this valley would be to fatten cattle in. And to think that you could have had it for a song.” Bodine clucked his tongue at the pity of it. “Well?” Acklin’s patience was running out. “Those Basques have got the water that comicloool C©