Merton of the Movies

ntrived for better choice. Still the puzzle persists, all because the one precisely right way might seem-shall we say intense, high keyed, clamoro

its own! Well had it been for Estelle St. Clair if she had not wandered from the Fordyce ranch. A moment's delay i

g, silent man of the open, begged her to beware of the half-breed? Perhaps she had resented the hint of mastery in Benson's cool, quiet tones as

l had remained unsullied in the midst of a city's profligacy, she still liked "to play with fire," as she laughingly said, and at the quiet words of Benson-Two-Gun Benson his comrades o

in an evil smile as he swept off his broad sombrero to her. Above her suddenly beating heart she sought to chat gayly, while the quick eyes of the outlaw took in th

nown as the Slimy Viper. Of all the evil men in that inferno, Snake was the foulest. Steeped in vice, he feared neither God nor man, and respected no woman. And now, Estelle St. Clair, drawing-room pet, pampered darling of New York society, which she ruled with an iron hand from her father's Fifth Aven

The outlaw remained deaf to these words that should have melted a heart of stone. At last over the burning plain was seen the ruined hovel to which the scoundrel was d

dcat, yes? But Snake le Vasquez will t

lver without which she never left the ranch. But Snake le Vasquez, with a muttered oath,

he snarled, and the next momen

iper breed, began to force his attention upon her. The creature's hot kisses seared her defenseless cheek. "Listen!" he hissed.

late, Miss

started at the

" he snarl

Benson, for it wa

her into a distasteful marriage. In an instant she had recovered the St. Clair poise, had become every inch the New York society leader, as she replied, "Not too late, Mr. Benson! Just

e open with his deep reverence for pure American womanhood? True, her culture demanded a gentleman, but her heart demanded a man. Her eyes softened and fell before his cool, keen gaze, and a blush mantled her fair cheek.

heaven! in American fashion, man to man, for, foul though yo

st, and the outlaw fell to the floor with a hoarse cry of rage and pain. But he was quickly upon his feet again, muttering curses, and again he attacked his grim-faced antagonist. Quick blows rained upon his defenseless face, for the strong, silent man was now fairly aroused. He fough

in quick alarm. "That fiend in

f the outlaw in a powerful grasp, raised him high aloft as if he had been but a child, and was about to dash him to the ground when a

betrayed deep amazement and

anin' to do with that dummy? For the good land's sake! H

essed in ill-fitting black. His gray hair grew

had instantly ceased to be Buck Benson, the strong, silent,

ver lyin' on the floor for? Is it loaded? Say, are you really out of your senses, or ain't you? What's got into you lately? Will you tell me that? Skyhootin' around in here, leavin' the front of the store unpertected for an hour or two, like your time was your own. And don't tell me you only been foolin' in here for three minutes, either, because when I come back from lunch just now there was Mis' Leffingwell up at the notions counter wanting some hooks and eyes, a

, all right" had been tainted with a trace of sullenness. He was tired of this conti

throat and smile with a tear in your eye, the story of plausible punches, a big, vital theme masterfully handled-thrills, action, beauty, excitement-carried to a sensational finish by the genius of that sterling star of the shadowed world, Clifford Armyta

checked gingham house frocks so heatedly mentioned a moment since by her lawful owner, and across her chest Merton Gill now imposed, with no tenderness of manner, the appealing legend, "Our Latest for Milady; only $6.98." He returned for Snake le Vasquez. That outlaw's face, even out of the picture, was evil. He had been picked for the part because of this face-plump, pinkly tinted cheeks, lustrous, curling

d contemptuously smote the c

ably across the slumbering street at the wooden Indian proffering cigar

atch the sample crumpled in her damp hand. Over the suave amenities of this merchandising Amos Gashwiler glared suspiciously across the store at his employee. Their relations were still strained. Merton also gla

e clerk was mentally parting from Amos forever in a scene of tense dramatic value in which his few dignified but scathing words would burn themselves unforgettably into the old man's brain. Merton, to himself,

customer had departed from the emporium. The dummies were brought inside. The dust curtains were hung along the shelves of dry goods. There remained for Merton only the task

store coat to his street coat

deliveries," said Amos, not uncordially, as he lighted a ch

ood this abuse long enough! The time has come to say a fe

as Amos thought, may have subdued his resentment. He would light the cigar aft

hafts in a loafing attitude, one forefoot negligently crossed in front of the other. He aroused himself reluctantly and with apparent difficulty when Merton Gill seized

e different, in that they were pointedly hidden from Merton. He cared little for cigars, but this was a challenge; the old boy couldn't get away with anything like that. If he didn't want his cigars touched let him leave the box out in the open like a man. Merton drew upon the lighted trophy, moistened and pasted back the wrapper that had broken when the end was bitten off, and

on which fronted the Gashwiler barn; there the speed was moderated to a mild amble, for Gashwiler believed his hor

iron pump, and led it into the barn, where he removed the harness. The old horse sighed noisily a

old skate" in tones of earnest conviction, and with the worn end of the whip he had cruelly tickled the still absurdly sensitive sides. Had beating availed he would with no compunction have beaten the drooping wreck. Bu

us brought me through." There was a sob in the speaker's voice, but he manfully recovered a clear tone of pathos. "And now, old pal, they're a-takin' ye from me-yes,

d with head bowed, his face working cur

of the reel Buck will escape the officers of the law who have him for that hold-up of the Wallahoola stage-of which he was innocent-leap from a second-story window of the sheriff's office onto the back of his old pal, and be carried safely over the border where the hellhounds c

d though Gashwiler's delivery horse is not a pinto, and could hardly

d pal, and God bles