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This incalculable multiplication of power has intoxicated man. The lust
has obsessed him, without regard to whether it be constructive or
destructive. Quantity, not quality, becomes the great objective. Man
consumes the treasures of the earth faster than he produces them,
deforesting its surface and disembowelling its... | The Constitution of the United States: A Brief Study of the Genesis, Formulation and Political Philosophy of the Constitution | Beck, James M. (James Montgomery) | 1861 | 1936 | ['en'] | 64 | {'United States. Constitution', 'Constitutional law -- United States'} | PG10065 | |
Thus, millions of men have lost both the opportunity for real physical
exertion, the incentive to work in the joyous competition of skill, and
finally the reward of work in the sense of achievement.
More serious than this, however, has been the destructive effort of
quantity, the great object of the mechanical age, at... | The Constitution of the United States: A Brief Study of the Genesis, Formulation and Political Philosophy of the Constitution | Beck, James M. (James Montgomery) | 1861 | 1936 | ['en'] | 64 | {'United States. Constitution', 'Constitutional law -- United States'} | PG10065 | |
To-day, man has a cinematographic brain. A thousand images are impressed
daily upon the screen of his consciousness, but they are as fleeting as
moving pictures in a cinema theatre. The American Press prints every
year over 29,000,000,000 issues. No one can question its educational
possibilities, for the best of all c... | The Constitution of the United States: A Brief Study of the Genesis, Formulation and Political Philosophy of the Constitution | Beck, James M. (James Montgomery) | 1861 | 1936 | ['en'] | 64 | {'United States. Constitution', 'Constitutional law -- United States'} | PG10065 | |
A great financier, the elder J.P. Morgan, once said of an existing
financial condition that it was suffering from "undigested securities,"
and, paraphrasing him, is it not possible that man is suffering from
undigested achievements and that his salvation must lie in adaptation to
a new environment, which, measured by ... | The Constitution of the United States: A Brief Study of the Genesis, Formulation and Political Philosophy of the Constitution | Beck, James M. (James Montgomery) | 1861 | 1936 | ['en'] | 64 | {'United States. Constitution', 'Constitutional law -- United States'} | PG10065 | |
Possibly, the greatest result of the mechanical age is this spirit of
organization.
Its merits are manifold and do not require statement; but they have
blinded us to the demerits of excessive organization.
We are now beginning to see--slowly, but surely--that a faculty of
organization which, as such, submerged the spi... | The Constitution of the United States: A Brief Study of the Genesis, Formulation and Political Philosophy of the Constitution | Beck, James M. (James Montgomery) | 1861 | 1936 | ['en'] | 64 | {'United States. Constitution', 'Constitutional law -- United States'} | PG10065 | |
One can see the tragedy of the time, as a few saw it, in comparing the
first _Locksley Hall_ of Alfred Tennyson, written in 1827, with its
abiding faith in the "increasing purpose of the ages" and its roseate
prophecies of the golden age, when the "war-drum would throb no longer
and the battle flags be furled in the P... | The Constitution of the United States: A Brief Study of the Genesis, Formulation and Political Philosophy of the Constitution | Beck, James M. (James Montgomery) | 1861 | 1936 | ['en'] | 64 | {'United States. Constitution', 'Constitutional law -- United States'} | PG10065 | |
I have faith in the inextinguishable spark of the Divine, which is in
the human soul and which our complex mechanical civilization has not
extinguished. Of this, the world war was in itself a proof. All the
horrible resources of mechanics and chemistry were utilized to coerce
the human soul, and all proved ineffectual... | The Constitution of the United States: A Brief Study of the Genesis, Formulation and Political Philosophy of the Constitution | Beck, James M. (James Montgomery) | 1861 | 1936 | ['en'] | 64 | {'United States. Constitution', 'Constitutional law -- United States'} | PG10065 | |
The tendency of group morality to standardize man--and thus reduce all
men to the dead level of an average mediocrity--is one that the law
should combat. Its protection should be given to those of superior skill
and diligence, who ask the due rewards of such superiority. Any other
course, to use the fine phrase of Tho... | The Constitution of the United States: A Brief Study of the Genesis, Formulation and Political Philosophy of the Constitution | Beck, James M. (James Montgomery) | 1861 | 1936 | ['en'] | 64 | {'United States. Constitution', 'Constitutional law -- United States'} | PG10065 | |
GUNMAN'S RECKONING
By
Max Brand
1921
GUNMAN'S RECKONING
1
The fifty empty freights danced and rolled and rattled on the rough road
bed and filled Jericho Pass with thunder; the big engine was laboring
and grunting at the grade, but five cars back the noise of the
locomotive was lost. Yet there is a way to talk above ... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
"I never laid much on what they said," he averred. "I know you, Lefty;
you can do a lot, but when it comes to leading a whole gang, like they
said you was, and all that--well, I knew it was a lie. Used to tell 'em
that."
"You talked foolish, then," burst out Lefty suddenly. "It was all
straight."
The brakie could hear... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
"Donnegan!"
"Him?" cried the brakie, starting in his place.
"Donnegan!" cried Lefty, and his voice made the word into a curse.
The brakie nodded.
"Them that get tangled with Donnegan don't last long. You ought to know
that."
At this the grief, hate, and rage in Lefty Joe were blended and caused
an explosion.
"Confound... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
"Took me about five minutes to tell Suds about Donnegan. Then Suds let
out a grunt and started down the trail for the old dad. Missed him. Dad
had got out of the Jungle and copped a rattler. Suds come back half
green and half yeller.
"'I've done it; I've spilled the beans,' he says.
"'That ain't half sayin' it,' says ... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
2
The brakie heard this recital with the keenest interest, nodding from
time to time.
"What beats me, Lefty," he said at the end of the story, "is why you
didn't knife into the fight yourself and take a hand with Donnegan"
At this Lefty was silent. It was rather the silence of one which cannot
tell whether or not it... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
Lefty Joe expertly lighted a match in spite of the roaring wind, and by
this wild light the brakie read the denomination of the bill with a
gasp. He rolled up his face and was in time to catch the sneer on the
face of Lefty before a gust snatched away the light of the match.
They had topped the highest point in Jerich... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
For suppose that Donnegan wakened out of his sound sleep and observed
the motion of the door; he would be suspicious if the door opened in a
single continued motion; but if it worked in these degrees he would be
hypersuspicious if he dreamed of danger. So the tramp gave five whole
minutes to that work.
When it was don... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
On the other hand, a knife offered advantages almost too numerous to be
listed. It gave one the deadly assurance which only comes with the
knowledge of an edge of steel in one's hand. And when the knife reaches
its mark it ends a battle at a stroke.
Of course these doubts and considerations pro and con went through th... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
With this to aid him, Lefty Joe went steadily, slowly across the first
and most dangerous stage of his journey. That is, he got away from the
square of the open door, where the faint starlight might vaguely serve
to silhouette his body. After this, it was easier work.
Of course, when he alighted on the floor of the ca... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
But if Lefty lacked much in agility, he had an animallike sense of
balance. Sprawling, helpless, he saw the convulsed shadow that was
Donnegan take form as a straight shooting body that plunged through the
air above him. Lefty Joe dug his left elbow into the floor of the car
and whirled back upon his shoulders, bunchi... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
Yet Lefty Joe was no common man and no common fighter. No, let the shade
of Rusty Dick, whom Lefty met and beat in his glorious prime--let this
shade arise and speak for the prowess of Lefty Joe. In fact it was
because he was such a good fighter himself that he recognized his
helplessness in the hands of Donnegan.
The... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
For an instant they whirled; then they went down, and Lefty was on top.
Only for a moment. The impetus which had sent him to the floor was used
by Donnegan to turn them over, and once fairly on top his left hand was
instantly at the throat of Lefty.
Twice Lefty made enormous efforts, but then he was done. About his bo... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
Yet he went on viciously: "Sooner or later, Donnegan, I'll get you!"
The red head of Donnegan moved, and Lefty Joe knew that the younger man
was laughing again.
"Why are you after me?" he asked at length.
It was another blow in the face of Lefty. He sat for a time blinking
with owlish stupidity.
"Why?" he echoed. And ... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
Lefty Joe snarled.
"You didn't mean nothing by just 'happening' to run into three of my
boys one after another?"
"Not a thing."
Lefty rocked himself back and forth in an ecstasy of impatience.
"Why don't you stay put?" he complained. "Why don't you stake out your
own ground and stay put in it? You cut in on every guy'... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
"What d'you know?" asked Donnegan.
"How do you stand toward this bird with the birthmark and the red hair?"
queried Lefty with caution.
"What d'you know?" insisted Donnegan.
All at once passion shook him; he fastened his grip in the shoulder of
the larger man, and his fingertips worked toward the bone.
"What do you kn... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
The mountains were to his right, not far away, but caught up behind the
shadows so that it seemed a great distance. Like all huge, half-seen
things they seemed in motion toward him. For the rest, he was in bare,
rolling country. The sky line everywhere was clean; there was hardly a
sign of a tree. He knew, by a little... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
He entered it by the big, sliding door, which stood open; he looked up,
and saw the stars shining through a gap in the roof. And then he stood
quietly for a time, listening to the voices of the wind in the ruin.
Oddly enough, it was pleasant to Donnegan. His own troubles and sorrow
had poured upon him so thickly in th... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
"What's your name?"
"Donnegan."
"I don't know you. Be off with you, Mr. Donnegan!"
He inserted his foot in the closing crack of the door.
"Tell me where I'm to go?" he persisted.
At this her voice rose in pitch, with squeaky rage.
"I'll raise the house on you!"
"Raise 'em. Call down the man of the house. I can talk to... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
Out of that darkness a foot slipped; not even a boy's foot--a very
child's. The shock of it made Donnegan relax his caution for an instant,
and in that instant she came into the reach of the light. It was a
wretched light at best, for it came from a lamp with smoky chimney
which the old hag carried, and at the raising... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
6
Even the old woman, whose eyes were sharpened by her habit of looking
constantly for the weaknesses and vices of men, could not guess what was
going on behind the thin, rather ugly face of Donnegan; the girl,
perhaps, may have seen more. For she caught the glitter of his active
eyes even at that distance. The hag ... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
But, after all, perhaps he did not need to say all these things. His
clothes were rags, upon his face there was a stubble of unshaven red,
which made the pallor about his eyes more pronounced. If the girl had
been half blind she must have felt that here was a man of fire. He saw
her gather the wrap a little closer abo... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
There was no possible answer left to Donnegan, and he did as usual the
surprising thing. He broke into laughter of such clear and ringing
tone--such infectious laughter--that the old woman blinked in the midst
of her wrath as though she were seeing a new man, and he saw the lips of
the girl parted in wonder.
"My fathe... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
She brushed her timidity away and with the same gesture accepted
Donnegan as something more than a dangerous vagrant. She took the lamp
from the hands of the crone and sent her about her business,
disregarding the mutterings and the warnings which trailed behind the
departing form. Now she faced Donnegan, screening th... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
"I hope your talk will be pleasant. I hope so." She laid her hand on the
knob of the door and withdrew it hastily; then, summoning great
resolution, she opened the door and showed Donnegan in.
"Father," she said, "this is Mr. Donnegan. He wishes to speak to you."
The door closed behind Donnegan, and hearing that whish... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
"Mr. Donnegan, I am sorry that I cannot rise to receive you. Now, what
pleasant accident has brought me the favor of this call?"
Donnegan was taken aback again, and this time more strongly than by the
flare of light against his eyes. For in the voice he recognized the
quality of the girl--the same softness, the same v... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
For his own part, sitting back on the stool with his cap tucked under
his arm and his hands folded about one knee, he met the faint, cold
smile of the colonel with a broad grin of his own.
"I can put it in a nutshell," said Donnegan. "I was tired; dead beat;
needed a handout, and rapped at your door. Along comes a mys... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
"Unfortunately--most unfortunately, it is impossible for me to
accommodate you, Mr. Donnegan."
The reply was not flippant, but quick. "Not at all. I am the easiest
person in the world to accommodate."
The big man smiled sadly.
"My fortune has fallen upon evil days, sir. It is no longer what it was.
There are in this h... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
"Unfortunate, perhaps, but the fact is that I'm here. Very sorry to
trouble you, though, colonel."
"I am rarely troubled," said the colonel coldly. "And since I have no
means of accommodation, the laws of hospitality rest light on my
shoulders."
"Yet I have an odd thought," replied Donnegan.
"Well? You have expressed ... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
The colonel exposed gleaming white teeth and laughed in that soft,
smooth-flowing voice.
"Amuse me? For fifteen years I have sat in this room and amused myself
by taking in what I would and shutting out the rest of the world. I have
made the walls thick and padded them to keep out all sound. You observe
that there is ... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
Donnegan smiled, and shaking his head, the red hair flashed and
shimmered.
"As long as there is no work attached to the mission, it may be
agreeable to me."
"But there is work."
"Then the contract is broken before it is made."
"You are rash. But I had rather begin with a dissent and then work
upward."
Donnegan waited.... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
"Do you wish further proof?"
"Well?"
"What of the fight to the death which you went through this same night?"
Donnegan started. It was a small movement, that flinching, and he
covered it by continuing the upward gesture of his hand to his coat; he
drew out tobacco and cigarette papers and commenced to roll his smoke.
... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
When he had done, the colonel was leaning forward in his chair with his
fingers interlacing, examining his guest from beneath somber brows. As
he sat lurched forward he gave a terrible impression of that reserved
energy which Donnegan had sensed before.
"Donnegan," said the colonel, "I shall talk no more nonsense to y... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
All of this the colonel had observed and noted with grim satisfaction.
Not once did he speak until he saw that all was well.
"I am sorry," he said at length in a voice almost as delicate as the
voice of Lou Macon. "I am sorry, but you forced me to say more than I
wished to say."
Donnegan brushed the apology aside.
His... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
At this Donnegan pricked his ears.
"He went, accordingly, to The Corner and staked the claims and filed
them as I directed. I was right. There was gold. Much gold. It panned
out in nuggets."
He made an indescribable gesture, and through his strong fingers
Donnegan had a vision of yellow gold pouring.
"But there is sel... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
The colonel allowed his glance to narrow, and he could do this the more
safely because at this moment Donnegan's eyes were wandering into the
distance. In that unguarded second Donnegan was defenseless and the
colonel read something that set him beaming.
"She loves him, of course," he said, "and he is breaking her hea... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
He waved this disgusting accusation into a mist and laughed with hateful
softness.
"The result is this: Jack Landis draws a vast revenue from the mines.
Half of it he turns over to Lord Nick, and Lord Nick in return gives him
absolute freedom and backing in the camp, where he is, and probably will
continue the dominan... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
"An adequate protector even against these celebrated gunmen who run the
camp as you have already admitted?"
"An adequate protector--you are the man!"
Donnegan shivered.
"I? I take your daughter to the camp and play her against Nelly Lebrun
to win back Jack Landis? Is that the scheme?"
"It is."
"Ah," murmured Donnegan.... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
They had started in the first dusk of the coming day; it was now the
yellow time of the slant afternoon sunlight; between these two points
there had been a body of steady plodding. The girl had looked askance at
that gaunt form of Donnegan's when they began; but before three hours,
seeing that the spring never left hi... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
That was odd, for, as far as she knew, Jack had never left her. But she
had early discarded any will to question her father. Curiosity was a
thing which the fat man hated above all else.
Therefore, it was really not strange to her that throughout the journey
her guide did not speak half a dozen words to her. Once or t... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
"Why not?"
"A place like this is sure to have a lot of stragglers hunting around
it. Bad characters. You understand?"
She could not understand why he should make a mystery of it; but then,
he was almost as strange as her father. His careful English and his
ragged clothes were typical of him inside and out.
"You have a... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
He would have to wait in order to find that out. And as he stood there
with the sun shining on the red stubble on his face he made a resolution
the more profound because it was formed in silence: if she truly loved
Landis he would serve her hand and foot until she had her will.
But all he said was simply: "I shall be ... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
He reached the level, and entered the town.
11
Hunting for news, he went naturally to the news emporium which took the
place of the daily paper--namely, he went to the saloons. But on the way
he ran through a liberal cross-section of The Corner's populace. First
of all, the tents and the ruder shacks. He saw little ... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
Liquor seemed to be plentiful, too. In the entire length of the street
he hardly saw a sober man, except the cowboy. Half a dozen in one group
pitched silver dollars at a mark. But he was in the saloon district now,
and dominant among the rest was the big, unpainted front of a building
before which hung an enormous si... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
"Long as his drinks are paid for," muttered the bartender, "here he
stays. But these floaters do make me tired!"
He jabbed the bottle across the bar at Donnegan and spun a glass noisily
at him, and the "floater" observed the angry bartender with a frightened
side glance, and then poured his drink gingerly. When the gl... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
"And what might you be doing around these parts?" asked the big man,
veiling his contempt under a mild geniality.
"Me? Oh, nothing."
"Looking for a job, eh?"
Donnegan shrugged.
"Work ain't my line," he confided.
"H'm-m-m," said Hal Stern. "Well, you don't make no bones about it."
"But just now," continued Donnegan, "I... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
"I didn't think you would," declared the other, and snorted his disgust.
"But that's all I'm going to say. Here come the boys--and dead dry!"
For the afternoon was verging upon evening, and the first drift of
laborers from the mines was pouring into The Corner. One thing at least
was clear to Donnegan: that everyone k... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
Her silence was to Donnegan the dropping of the water upon the hard
rock. He was crumbling under it, and a wild hatred for the colonel rose
in him. No doubt that spirit of evil had foreseen all this; and he knew
that every moment spent with the girl would drive Donnegan on closer to
the accomplishment of the colonel's... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
He had only to ask once to discover where Landis was: Milligan's dance
hall. Before Milligan's place a bonfire burned from the beginning of
dusk to the coming of day; and until the time when that fire was
quenched with buckets of water, it was a sign to all that the merriment
was under way in the dance hall. If Lebrun... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
"And what are you doing in here?" asked the genial Andy. "Don't you know
this joint is for white folks?"
"I ain't colored," murmured Donnegan.
"You took considerable yaller to me," declared Lewis. He straightway
chuckled, and his own keen appreciation of his wit softened his
expression. "What you want?"
Donnegan shive... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
Upon this splendid individual, then, the obscure Donnegan bent his gaze.
He saw the dancers pause and scatter as the music ended, saw them drift
to the tables along the edges of the room, saw the scurry of waiters
hurrying drinks up in the interval, saw Nelly Lebrun sip a lemonade, saw
Jack Landis toss off something s... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
"Where is she?" he asked nervously of Donnegan, and he looked over the
ragged fellow again.
"I'll take you to her."
The big man swayed back and forth from foot to foot, balancing in his
hesitation. "Wait a moment."
He strode to Nelly Lebrun and bent over her; Donnegan saw her eyes flash
up--oh, heart of the south, wha... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
"She has made things ready for me," thought Donnegan, his heart opening.
"She has kept house for me!"
He pointed out Lou's tent to his companion and the big man, with a
single low word of warning, threw open the flap of the tent and strode
in.
There was only the split part of a second between the rising and the
fall o... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
"He worried," said the girl, and her voice was as even as ever. "He
worried, and sent me to find out if anything is wrong."
Then: "Nonsense! What is there to worry about? Lou, I'm half inclined to
think that the colonel doesn't trust me!"
She did not answer. Was she reading beneath the boisterous assurance of
Landis?
... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
He broke down in the middle of his sentence and another of those
uncomfortable little pauses ensued. Donnegan knew that their eyes were
miserably upon each other; the man tongue-tied by his guilt; the girl
wretchedly guessing at the things which lay behind her fiancé's words.
"I'm sorry you don't want me here."
"It is... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
There was a muffled exclamation and Landis went from the tent and strode
down the hill; he was instantly lost in the night. But Donnegan, turning
to the entrance flap, called softly. He was bidden to come in, and when
he raised the flap he saw her sitting with her hands clasped loosely and
resting upon her knees. Her ... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
Donnegan roved swiftly here and there. The calm eye and the smooth play
of an obvious professional in a linen suit kept him for a moment at one
table, looking on; then he went to the games, and after changing the
gold which Jack Landis had given as alms so silver dollars, he lost it
with precision upon the wheel.
He w... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
For the first moment Donnegan was not sure; it was not until there was a
slight faltering in the deal--an infinitely small hesitation which only
a practiced eye like that of Donnegan's could have noticed--that he was
sure. The winner was crooked. Yet the hand was interesting for all that.
He had done the master trick,... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
The moment he disappeared, Donnegan saw the other four put their heads
close together, and saw a sudden darkening of faces; but as for the
genial winner, he had no sooner passed to the other side of the crowd
and out of view, than he turned directly toward the door. His careless
saunter was exchanged for a brisk walk;... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
The other made one frantic effort to twist around, then recognized the
pressure of the revolver and was still. The horses, checking their
gallops in unison, were softly dog-trotting down the street.
"Call off your man!" warned Donnegan, for the big Negro had reined back;
the gun already gleamed in his hand.
A gesture ... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
Donnegan joined his captive. "I warn you first," he said gently, "that
I am quite expert with a revolver, and that it will be highly dangerous
to attempt to trick me. Lower your arms if you wish, but please be
careful of what you do with your hands. There are such things as knife
throwing, I know, but it takes a fast ... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
Donnegan began to laugh, and the gambler stammered to a halt.
"I knew you when I laid eyes on you for the first time," said Donnegan.
"You have the hands of a craftsman, but your eyes are put too close
together. A coward's eyes--a cur's face, Godwin. But you, George--have
you heard what he said?"
No answer from George... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
The silence of George Washington Green was a tremendous thing.
"Now ride ahead of me. I'll direct you how to go."
He went first straight back through the town and up the hill to the two
tents. He made George go before him into the tent and take up the roll
of bedding; and then, with George and the bedding leading the ... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
Donnegan leaped lightly to one side, and the knife, hissing past his
head, buried itself in the wall, and its vibrations set up a vicious
humming. As for Donnegan, the leap that carried him to one side whirled
him about also; he faced the big man, who was now crouched in the very
act of following the knife cast with t... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
"Yes--sir," came the deep bass murmur behind him.
And the heart of Donnegan stirred, for that "sir" meant many things.
Presently George crossed the floor with a burden; there was the "whish"
of the blankets being unrolled--and then a slight pause. It seemed to
him that he could hear a heavier breathing. Why? And searc... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
It was the impossible nature of this that tempted Donnegan. But the
paradoxical picture of the ragged skulker in Milligan's actually sitting
at the same table with Nelly Lebrun and receiving her smiles stayed with
him. He intended to rise, literally Phoenixlike, out of ashes. And the
next morning, in the red time of t... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
"Godwin," resumed Donnegan, "was talented in many ways."
The big man showed his teeth in silence; for since Godwin proposed the
sacrifice of the servant to preserve himself, George had apparently
altered his opinion of the gambler.
"A talented man, George, but he knew nothing about coffee. It should
never boil. It sho... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
The real estate man choked. Then: "You tell your boss that jumping a
cabin is like jumping a claim. They's a law in The Corner for gents like
him."
George made a gesture of helplessness; but Gloster turned to the three.
"Both shacks or none at all," said the spokesman. "One ain't big enough
to do us any good. But if t... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
"Now," said Donnegan to George, "tell him that we'll take both the
shacks, and he can add fifty per cent to his old price."
The bargain was concluded on the spot; the money was paid by George.
Gloster went down the hill to tell The Corner that a mystery had hit the
town and George brought the canvas bag back to Donneg... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
And the pale face of Donnegan became for an instant the face of a demon.
George Washington Green saw, and never forgot.
Afterward, in order that he might think, Donnegan got on one of the
horses he had taken from Godwin and rode over the hills. They were both
leggy chestnuts, with surprising signs of blood' and all th... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
George showed his teeth.
"No fighting back. Don't lift your hand. When you find that you can't
get in, come back here. Now, ride."
So George mounted the horse and went. Straight to Milligan's he rode and
dismounted; and half of The Corner's scant daytime population came into
the street to see the brilliant horseman pa... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
For though The Corner had had its share of troubles of fist and gun,
most of them were entirely impromptu affairs. Here was a fight in the
offing for which the stage was set, the actors set in full view of a
conveniently posted audience, and all the suspense of a curtain rising.
The waiting bore in upon Andy Lewis. Wi... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
If the crowd had been expectant before, it was now reduced to wire-drawn
tenseness.
"Are you the fellow who turned back my man?" asked Donnegan.
His quiet voice fell coldly upon the soul of Andy. He strove to warm
himself by an outbreak of temper.
"They ain't any poor fool dude can call me a fellow!" he shouted.
The c... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
Big George hesitated only one instant--it was to sweep the crowd for the
second time with his confident grin--and he strode through the door of
the dance hall. As for Donnegan, his only movement was to swing his
horse around and shift riding crop and reins into the grip of his left
hand. His other hand was dropped car... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
Big George Washington Green came running to the door of the dance hall
with a sprig of something green in his hand; one glance assured him that
all was well; and once more that wide, confident grin spread upon his
face. He came to the master and offered the mint; and Donnegan, raising
it to his face, inhaled the scent... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
"A murderer by intention," exclaimed Milligan. He had hunted long and
hard before he found a man with a face like that of Lewis, capable of
maintaining order by a glance; now he wanted revenge. "A murder by
intention!" he cried to the crowd, standing beside the place where the
imprint of Andy's knees was still in the ... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
"Not by twenty pounds and three inches."
This brought a laugh. And by comparison with the terrible and familiar
name of Lord Nick, Donnegan became a smaller danger. Besides, as
Milligan said, it was undoubtedly luck. And when he called for
volunteers, three or four stepped up at once. The others made a general
milling... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
"You silly! But I saw his face when he lifted that mint. He'd already
forgotten about the man he had just shot down. He was thinking of
nothing but the scent of the mint. And did you notice his giant servant?
He never had a moment's doubt of Donnegan's ability to handle the entire
crowd. I tell you, it gave me a chill... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
Decidedly the fury of the posse was chilled by the grin of George.
Milligan, who had lived south of the Mason-Dixon line, stepped up to
impress George properly.
"Boy," he said, frowning, "go in and tell your man that we've come for
him. Tell him to step right out here and get ready to talk. We don't
mean him no harm l... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
Before the spokesman could continue his speech, the girl had whipped
inside the door. And the posse was dumbfounded. Milligan saw that the
advance was ruined. "Boys," he said, "we came to fight a man; not to
storm a house with a woman in it. Let's go back. We'll tend to Donnegan
later on."
"We'll drill him clean!" mut... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
"There seems to have been a jest?" he said.
But she lifted him a happy, tearful face.
"Ah, thank heaven!" she cried gently.
Oddly enough, Donnegan at this set his teeth and turned upon his heel,
and the girl stole out the door again, and closed it softly behind her.
As a matter of fact, not even the terrible colonel i... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
He had a theory that little men had little souls. Not that he ever
formulated the theory in words, but he vaguely felt it and adhered to
it. He had more fear of one man of six two than a dozen under five ten.
He reserved in his heart of hearts a place of awe for one man whom he
had never seen. That was for Lord Nick, ... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
What was it?
The men faced the door, wondering, and then the swift rumor passed from
lip to lip--almost from eye to eye, so rapidly it sped--Donnegan is
coming! Donnegan, and big George with him.
"Someone tell Milligan!"
But Milligan had already heard; he was back of the bar giving
directions; guns were actually unlim... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
If Donnegan had not carried it off with a certain air, the whole
entrance would have seemed decidedly stagey, but The Corner, as it was,
found much to wonder at and little to criticize. And in the West grown
men are as shrewd judges of affectation as children are in other places.
"Putting on a lot of style, eh?" said ... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
Jack Landis thawed a little under this careless chatter. He still did
not quite trust her.
"Do you know what they're whispering? That I was afraid to face him!"
She tilted her head back, so that the light gleamed on her young throat,
and she broke into laughter.
"Why, Jack, that's foolish. You proved yourself when you... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
So it was that when Milligan announced a tag dance and the couples
swirled onto the floor gayly, Donnegan decided to take matters into his
own hands and offer the first overt act. It was clumsy; he did not like
it; but he hated this delay. And he knew that every moment he stayed on
there with big George behind his cha... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
Why not let things go on as they were? Suppose he were to allow Landis
to plunge deeper into his infatuation? Suppose he were to bring Lou
Macon to this place and let her see Landis sitting with Nelly, making
love to her with every tone in his voice, every light in his eye? Would
not that cure Lou? And would not that ... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
As a matter of fact they did not speak a single syllable until they had
gone around the floor one complete turn and the dance was coming toward
an end.
It was he who spoke first, gloomily: "I shouldn't have done it; I
shouldn't have tagged him!"
At this she drew back a little so that she could meet his eyes.
"Why not?... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
"You understand?" he was saying quietly.
She countered with a question as direct as his confession.
"What are you, Mr. Donnegan?"
"A wanderer," said Donnegan instantly, "and an avoider of work."
At that they laughed together. The strain was broken and in its place
there was a mutual excitement. She saw Landis in the d... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
He scowled at her, and she tried to look repentant, but since she could
not keep the dancing light out of her eyes, she compromised by looking
steadfastly down at the table. Which convinced Landis that she was
thinking of her late partner. He made a great effort, swallowed, and was
able to speak smoothly enough.
"Look... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
"I'm sorry I talked so plain if you put it that way," he admitted
heavily. "I didn't know you picked up friends so fast as all that!" He
could not avoid adding this last touch of the poison point.
His back was to Donnegan, and consequently the girl, facing him, could
look straight across the room at the red-headed man... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
Still, she was not foolish enough to run after Jack, take his arm, and
make a direct appeal. It would be too much like begging for Donnegan,
and even if Jack forgave her for this interest in his rival, she had
sense enough to feel that Donnegan himself never would. Something,
however, must be done to prevent the fight... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 | |
Yet on seeing this ominous pair, Nelly Lebrun cried out softly in
delight. She ran to them, and dropped a hand on the bony shoulder of the
Pedlar and one on the plump shoulder of Joe Rix, whose loose flesh
rolled under her finger tips.
"It's Jack Landis!" she cried. "He's gone to Milligan's to fight the
new man. Stop ... | Gunman's Reckoning | Brand, Max | 1892 | 1944 | ['en'] | 93 | {'Man-woman relationships -- Fiction', 'Outlaws -- Fiction', 'Western stories', 'Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction'} | PG10066 |
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