Motion Picture Classic (May 1921 - Dec 1927)

CLASSIC from him and fled backwards to the chimney-piece where she stood panting, at bay. The third man, having lighted the lamp on the table, leaned motionless against it watching her with unfathomable eyes. “What do you want here?” asked Ruth, striving to make her voice calm and natural. The first man laughed loudly while he uncorked a flask and took a long pull at it. “Did you hear that, Steve?” he asked, turning to the silent man at the table. “Have a drink.” he went on, looking at Ruth, “and pull 'in your purty little claws, eh? Jolly time. No more fuss and fury.” For answer the New England girl grasped a knife in her hand but the Mexican wrested it from her and hugged her close to him. With a desperate strength she pushed him from her. The tall man named Steve remained gazing at her in a fascinated semi-stupor. Meanwhile, the Mexican drew some dice from his pocket and began to throw them on the table. Like a man walking in his sleep, Stephen Ghent took two steps toward the shrinking girl. “Shake for her,” cried the first man, whose name had long since vanished, and who went by the sobriquet of Dutch. “Come into the game, curse you, Steve. This is going to be a free for all, by God !” “Save me, save me,” begged Ruth thru stiff lips, looking at the advancing Ghent, “and I will make it up to you ! Dont touch me ! Listen ! Save me from these others and I will pay you with my life.” Ghent stared at her, a dull wonder in his eyes, while his hands twitched. “You mean you’ll go along with me out of this? Stick to me — on the square ?” “Yes,” said Ruth, in a tragic whisper. “On the dead square?” “Yes.” “You wont peach and spoil it?” “No.” He paused and looked at her fixedly. “Give me your hand on it!” Bravely she held out her hand which he pressed hard between his. Then he looked at the others who had drawn their guns and were watching them suspiciously. “Shorty and me’s sittin’ in this game,” drawled Dutch, “and interested, eh,. Shorty ?” The Mexican nodded eagerly. Ghent stood irresolute fingering the dice. Then he turned out the contents of his pockets and pushed a few bills toward the Mexican, since Dutch looked affronted at the mere suggestion. But Shorty turned his back on the little heap of bills and silver with a gesture of disgusted refusal. “Dont blame you, Shorty,” said Dutch contemptuously. “A onery buck of a dirt-eatin’ Mojave’d pay more’n that for his squaw.” At his words Ruth covered her face with her hands and shrank back shuddering in horror. “Well, it ain’t much,” said Ghent equably, “but here’s a string of gold nuggets I guess is worth some money. Take it and clear out.” He unfastened the collar of his shirt and threw a chain of gold nuggets in the rough, strung on a leather thread on the table. In drunken anger Dutch half rose but Ghent held out his hand. “We ll keep everything friendly between me and you. A square stand-up shoot and the best man takes her.” “Now you’re talking,” said Dutch, much mollified. The Mexican grabbed the nuggets and bowed gracefully to Ruth and then left the room. Ghent motioned Dutch to leave also, ignoring his impudent wave of the hand to the girl. Left alone. Ruth stood beside the table, gripping the edge with tensed fingers, her face white with agony. The sound of four pistolshots made her start violently and the color mounted in a wave to her forehead. There ensued a long pause during which she heard dully the unquiet beats of her heart echoing loudly in her ears. Then the door swung slowly open and Ghent appeared on the threshold. With a faint cry she sank into the nearest chair. “Is he dead?” “No, but he’!! stay in the coop for a while.” — He stared at her hard — “Is this on the square ?” “I gave you my promise,” said Ruth, in a low voice. “Where are your folks?” he asked. “My brother has goneout to the railroad,” Ruth forced herself to reply thru steady lips. “Write him a note,” he commanded. “Fix it up anyw'ay you like ” 68