The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1914-08-20


Bud was thinking, and when en-
gagged in that arduous occupation even
the saucy little girl behind the door
could not beguile him.
But, after he had studied II all out
and come to a definite conclusion. he
did not deliver an ultimatum. The old.
good-natured smile simply came back
to his rugged face; he rolled q cigar
cite; and then for the rest OF the eve
ming he lay back and enjoyed the
show. Only in the morning. when
they went out to the corral to get their
horses, he carried his war-bag with
him and, after throwing the saddle on
to Copper Bottom. he did the same for
their spare mount
what are you going to pack out,
Bud?" inquired Phil. and Bud slapped
his canvas-covered bed for an answer.
Then, with a heave, he snaked It out
OF the harnessroom where it had been
stored and slung 1t deity across the
pack-saddle.
why, what's the matter?" said De
Lancey, when they were on their way;
don't you like the hotel?"
Hotels fine" conceded Bud, but
reckon Id better camp out at the
mine. Want to keep my eye on that
Mexican of ours"
Jaw, he's all right" protested Phil.
"Sure," said Bud; Il amt afraid
he'll steal something-but he might
take a notion to quit the country"
why, what for7" challenged De
Lancey. Hes got his wife and family
here
That's nothing-to a Mexican!"
countered Bud. But amt figuring on
the excuse he'd glve-that won't buy
me nuthing-what l want to do is to
keep him from going. Because II we
lose that Mex now, we lose our mine"
And"
mo and to it. said Bud doggedly.
I'VE amt going to lose him"
but II we did," persisted De Lam
cey. why, then you think"
"Your friend would get It," finished
Hooker grimly.
"Ah, l see," nodded De Lancey,
noting the accent on friend" You
don't approve of my making friends
with Aragon."
"Oh, that's all right" shrugged the
big cowboy; at won't make no differ.
ence now. Go ahead. IL you want to-"
you mean you can get along with
out mer
no. answered BUD Il don't mean
nothing-except what I say. II you
want to palaver around with Aragon,
go to it I'll round up Mendez and his
family and keep 'em right there at the
mine until we get them papers signed
after that ! don't care what hap
pens"
"Oh, all right" murmured De Lam
cey in a subdued tone: but II his con-
science smote him for the moment It
did not lead to the making OF any SEN
timental New Years resolutions, for
he stopped when he came to the store
and exchanged salutations with Ara
gon. who was lounging expectantly be-
fore his door
"Buenos dias. Don Cipriano!" he
hailed. How are you this morning.
"Ah, good morning. Don Felipe" re-
sponded Aragon, stepping forth from
the shadow of the door. 81 am very
well. thank you-and your
"The same!" answered Phil, as II 1t
were great piece Of news. 1T is fine
weather-no1"
res, but little dry" said Aragon.
and so they passed 1t back and forth
IN the accepted Spanish manner, while
Bud hooked one leg over the horn of
his saddle and regarded the hacienda
with languid eyes.
But as his gaze swept the length OF
the uncovered corredor 1t halted for
a moment and a slow smile came over
his face. In the green depths OF a
passion.fiower vine he had detected
a quick, birdlike motion; and then
suddenly. like transformation scene.
he beheld merry face. framed and
Illuminated by soft, golden locks, peer
ing out at him from among the bios
SONS. Except for that brief smile he
AhauO NJ biBu tudt no saw ucI, anu
when he looked up again the face had
disappeared.
Don Cipriano showed them about his
mescal plant. where his men kept a
continual stream OF liquid fire running
from the copper worm. and gave each
a raw drink; but though De Lancey
gazed admiringly at the house and
praised Che orange trees that hung
over the garden wall. Spanish hospi-
tally could go no farther. and the visit
ended In a series of adioses and much
as graciases.
Quick work. commented Phil, as
they rode toward the mine; the old
man has got over his Crouch"
"Um." unused Bud. with q quiet,
brooding smile; and the next time he
rode into town he looked for the
masked face among the flowers and
smiled again. That was tho way Ora
cha Aragon affected them all
He did not point out the place to
Phil. nor betray her by any sign. All
he did was to glance at her once and
then ride on his way. but somehow his
heart stood sun whom he met her
eyes. and his days became nlled with
. pensiye. broodins mslsncholy,