The Bad Man

in him rule his life. One sensed, by the most cursory glance, that here was a type of virile young American who could not only dream, but make his dreams come true. N

ys good losers, as well as modest winners. The land was rich in possibilities, as Sturgis had told Pell; and though the hot season lasted interminably and caused one's spirits, as well

to be fearful of any retort from any mere subject who walked about on two firm legs. For ten years he had held court, moving his little throne about with sudden jerks. When things did not go entirely his way, he could always withdraw-expertly, swiftly, cleverly. Doorsills were nothing to him. He skimmed them dexterously, as a regiment might storm a hill. Fortunately, he suff

at the little table, writing, in the low main room of the adobe, could hear the cha

inally came from Uncle

ed upon to continue any conversation once begun. Sure enough, it wasn't the weather at all that he was deeply

" Gilbert answered patiently,

asped, giving his chair a twist, "I ain't had nothin' bu

round, as peevish as a spoiled child, and picked at the cloth that rested on his knees. Then he switched his chair within reach of the table, and snatched up a newspaper, much as a boy might grab the brass ring at a merry-go-round.

what,

y Pringle

lbert asked, feigning an

enty years old, too. He was

What's that paper

keep silent. Instead, he read an item from the paper aloud to him. "Listen to this, Gilbert," he said: "'The Elite Fish Market has just received five barrels of soft clams from Eastport. Get there early, feller citizens! They won't last long.' Think o' that, Gilbert? Clams!" He smacked his lips, and even forgot how warm it w

ussels. Goo

amazed. "They eat

ed up, smile

too. Say," the old man wanted to know, "what don't they eat over ther

soon, Uncle. Do be pat

terval became absorbed in his newspaper. But not for long

ert replied, nodding toward the alc

rimace. "He makes me

here was a little note of irritation in his voice.

n' out! An' you make me si

Mike, quit your

ng the newspaper in his hand and throwing it on the floor. Th

you?" Gilb

s what!" Uncle Henry went on, as

hat's happened," his nephew said. He saw

ar in the first place? Why, why?" He pounded

ng. "If some of us hadn't taken things in our hands

to get a match, and his uncle's eye followed him to the mantel-piece. He spoke to the

y at its utterance. This wasn't like Uncle Henry who,

. "And on top of that," Uncle Henry went on, rapidly, when his nephew did not speak, "you were engaged in an essential industry-if you c

er. "Now, Uncle," he said, kindly, "what's the use of going over all this again? You know how I disl

y this rotten ranch 'way down here in this God-forsaken country. An' just when I, like a darned old fool, t

man and the cook," G

ook that can't cook nothin' but firecrackers! An' not even them when you want 'em!" He waited for this crowning touch to sink in.

" was all G

at any rate. "First you rob me an' then you starve me!" he al

ued to write. "I did the best I cou

see what yer worst is like," the other flamed. "An' now we're broke, an' they're

ock," Gilbert's passionl

, and leaned so far out of his chair that

lbert sai

courts don't stay open at night?" He

here he could get a bottle of liquor for ei

we're set out on the bricks without no more home than a prairie dog-not

ng what he was going to say next. Therefore he switched adroitly to the door, and let out, "No, it ain't gettin' us anywhere; but it would if you'd marry Angela Hardy, like I want you to!" He

h, an' not even he, mean as he is, would foreclose on his own son-in-law. Mebbe he'd even lend

ted, as if he were discussin

, you

It wouldn't be fair to her. I can'

's so crazy about you, she'd marry you any

o?" Gilbert asked, comi

e would." He go

e said it, passion for the first time came into his voice. There was the

," the old

olut

Uncle Henry relieved

his uncle's face. "You don't mean

d he chuckled. "I know what would become of Hypocricy if

g Jones could say, and he

, an' they wasn't even related," Unc

iding-habit that fit her to perfection, and her hair, tumbled a bit by the soft breeze, fell around her face in a cascade of golden lovelines

oot, and smiling that entrancing smile of hers. She was

Gilbert said, hardly

overlooked. "Good afternoon, M

ernoon, isn't i

r night," Uncl

ho wouldn't be, after such

now. Have a good canter, yo

" Lucia answer

ry looked

glad you're back, for I was beginning to be worrie

they were so close to the border of Mexico. "Bandits?" she s

an appraising glance. "Human life means little in M

e," she smiled, "I won't go without you, if you

," Jones answered. "N

g about him that repelled-people could never say what it was; but one sensed a latent cruelty in the man. His eyes were shifty, and there were little lines about his mouth that spoke of his days of dissipation. It was hard to associate him with the flower

. Pell," said old S

atter answered, with

ut he really didn't care at all. Pell,

sed heat, you know. Glad I don't have to li

Pell expectantly as the latter moved across the low room, a sma

the laco

ty hot," the invalid remarked, delighted that no one had called him to account for his obvious in

till night-then it's p

le Henry pursued. No one was ever m

of him, and was getting used to him. Lucia, who had remained silent by the door, saw the cloud on her husband's face, and gave a litt

!" he half sneere

t a littl

Pell fo

s;

-a twang that grated on sensitive ears. He turned on Gilbert. "How about

, he was a guest in his, Gilbert's, house. He hoped their wretched business w

started toward the door. He had not put the bag down. "Well,

ou going?" L

e almost knocked Uncle Henry's chai

t Gilbert was determined that Lucia should not read his thoughts. So he said, nonchalantl

ere was cleared once more. "Oh, Gil, it's wonderful here-no

knowing that she did. She had tol

; and Jones thought she had never looked lovelier, more desirable. How pink her cheeks were! Y

asked, as though he could not be

or a moment. Now she turned to him

ck!" was the un

om Smith to Gilbert in utter confusion

ng the word in derision. "What's beautifu

rt," Luci

arn sand!" the

then!" Luc

repeated "The sky!" i

But think of the glorious col

rted. "Not even a place to go fishin'. And y

Lucia took the old boy seriously.

emetery in Bangor you ever-." Gilbert was almost doubling up with laughter; but Uncle Henry went right on: "As for this gol darn place, I wish it was in-An

er and shook her finger gently in the invalid's

" Smith replied,

are!" Luci

ain

him, as though she we

it, I tell you I ain't!" And h

he laughed, and ran up the tiny

urned querulously on his nephew, as soon as he was certain she was out of hearing. "Why did you ever invit

I couldn't do less than offer them what little hos

' here at a time like this, and not only eatin' us out of house and home, but drinkin' up the last bottle of liquor in the world!" This seemed to h

can

t here and get throwed out into the st

ly shrugged

out, and aimed at the door that led to the open air. At that instant "Red" Giddings, the husky young foreman, appeared directly in his pa

tice he shot into the yar