Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1898-02-19

DUeS uulS III! 1Sl1OW, ulu JOu say!
Listen:
"Ran away from the Laurel Dell plantation,
boy, 18 years of a%ge-small for his years-griff
in color. Answers to the name of French Abe.
Suitable reward for his detention OF his re.
turn to Laurel Dell.
"S. B. FoULKs, Manager.
"Does the description fit?" Strong
asked, laying the paper down.
II don't know" said Liza, gazing
absently toward the window.
do be sensible, Liza. You certainly
saw the scamp"
"Only a pair of hungry eyes and
ragged shoulders; nothing more"
(Which way did he go?"
II don't know"
! screamed. l have promised Foulks to
keep a lookout for him. If it is Ran
| Chambliss' Abe, l could have given
him a word Of comfort. Ran wants it
| given out that he shan't be touched.
He is a sort Of pet Of Chambliss', and
Foulks is anxious to get him back. If
you were not here, | would ride over to
Laurel Dell and tell Foulks. Ipromised,
if l heard anything Of him"
"Go. | am not afraid"
II had best make sure first. Foulks
says he could wear Rams SHOE"
He passed out through the front door
and around to the one window. Liza,
leaning over it's ledge, saw the small
bare tracks left in the damp soil by the
fugitive. Strong was laying a brass
bound footrule in them.
"He would wear about a No. 5.
reckon it was Abe"
"What did he run away for, Strong?'
"Nothing, according to Foulks. The
boy is a fancy darby Ran Chambliss
picked up in New Orleans one winter
and generally takes travelling with him,
but the boy had the measles when
Chambliss started on the last trip and
was left behind. Mrs. Chambliss told
Foulks to put him to work-to keep
him out of mischief-in the field until
Ran came back, and the spoiled cub
took to the cane. He has been out over
two months.
"He did not look like a fancy darby
nor like anybody's pet,
Strong was sending q searching glance
up and down the face Of the cliffs.
II should like to let Foulks know, a!
/ promised. The scamp is not likely t.
come back again. l imagine he though
I had gone out to the river. I generally
am there this time Of day and he hoped
to cajole Whey out of a dinner"
"Is Whey here?"
"Viney? Why, she runs this estab
lishment, with me thrown in. She i
out yonder in the shed room. She is a
autocratic as ever"
"Then l am afraid to stay here Will
you are gone. See!'' She held up tn
second finger Of her right hand. 1t wa
capped with a golden thimble. II toll
mother l was going to overhaul your en-
tire wardrobe this morning. Please go
Strong. Don't mind my nonsense abou
Aunt Whey"
"And you will stay until I COM
back?"
II will be here when you come back
if Viney has not devoured me in tn
meantime.
He was out Of the room by this time
and a very little while later she coul
hear the soft thud of his horses feet O
the dirt road, carrying him away at
gathering pace.
He was going around by the WACO
road. She got up and walked to tn
door. If only she could see that gaun
face once againi She would like to Civ
it's owner hat comforting assuranc
about his returning without fear to hi
home.
, She pierced the gloomy environmen
with anxious eyes. Concealment was q
easy among the thick underground {
the cliffs, the serried cane, or the bran
l bly, banks Of Black Moccasin pond. Sh
ventured as far as the stile, mounted |
t its highest crumbling step, sent futil
chances in every direction and retrace
her steps to the cabin with sudden rest
. tuition.
: A newspaper, a sweeping motion (
an eager hand, and she was ready Il
her mission, leaving the table benin
her as bare OF edibles as Mother Hui
bard's famous cupboard.
II suppose Strong would call thl
giving aid and comfort to the enemy,
abe said, laughing Historically as Oh
tightened the paper about its bulgin
contents, "but I Just don Z care. ! cOul
never sleep again with those VOLTS
eyes haunting me.