The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1914-06-11
CHAPTER WI.


daughters.
Perhaps. r. Gracia Aragon had not
been watching him from the window
rhiliT Ue Lancoy would BOT have been
quite ao cordial with her uther-ai
least that vas what Hooker thought.
and he vas go badly peevcd at the
way things had gone that DE said II.
too.
Then. Of course. they quarrolcd. and
o. thing leading TO another. PHI told
BOD he had a very low way OF speak
INK bud replied that, whatever HE
d-ohcieucies OF speech might be-. he
was not fool enough 20 De drawn IN
by a skirt. and Phil rebuked him again
Then, with a scornfui gruut Bud
Hooker rode on in silence and they
fuid no more about Il.
Il was a gay life that they led at
night Tor the Fortuna hotel was filled
with men Of their Kind. since all the
Btaid married men had either moved
across the line with their families OF
we're under orders to come straight
home
IN the daytime the hotel was nearly
deserted, Tor every man In fbwn wac
working for the company; but In the
evening, when they gathered around
the massive stove. II was q merry com
pany indeed
There were college men. fun Of good
stories and stories not 80 good. world
wanderers and Adventures with such
tales Of the East and West az never
have been written in books. But not o
college boy could match stories with
PHI De Lancey. and few wanderers
there were who could tell him any.
thing new about Mexico. Also. when
Il came 10 popular songs, he knew
both the words and the tune. SO he
was much IN demand. and Don Juan
passed many drinks across the bar be
cause of him.
In all such festivities the two pard
ners stayed together; Bud. with q
broad, i~ndulgent grin. listening to the
end, and Phil, his eyes alight with
liquor and good cheer. talking and
laughing far into the night
Outside the winter winds we're still
cold and the Mexicans went wrapped
TO the eyebrows; but within the merry
company was slow 10 quit, and Phil,
making up for the lonely months
when he had entirely lacked an audi
ence. sat long In the seat OF honor and
was always tho last TO go.
But on the evening after their spat
Bud sat of 10 one side, and even Pills
sprightly and ventriloquistic nvers
tion with the.little-gir behlnd-the-doOf
called forth only a heeting smile.
Bud was thinking. and when en-
gagged in that arduous occupation even
the saucy little girl behind the door
could not beguhe him.
but, after be had studied Il all out
and como 10 a definite conclusion, he
did not deliver an ultimatum. The old
good natured smile simply came back
20 his rugged face, he rolled o cigar
cite; and then for the rest OF the eve
ming he lay back and enjoyed the
show. Only IN tho morning. when
they went cut To the corral To get tleif
horses. he carried his war-bag with
him and. after throwing the saddle on
to Copper Bottom. he Gid the same fot
their spare mount.
What are you going 10 pack out
Bud?" inquired Phil, and Bud slapped
his canyas-coyered bed for an answer
Then. with a heave. he snaked II out
Of tho harnessroom where II had beer
stored and slung IL deity across the
pack-saddle.
why, what's the natter?" said Dc
Lancey. when they were ON their way:
don't you like the hotel2"
Hotels fine" conceded Bud, but ]
reckon I'd 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 Bomething-but he might
take a notion to quit the country"
why. what fort" challenged DE
Lancey. Hes got his wife and family
here"
That's nothing-to a Mexican!'
countered Bud. "But l amt figuring on
the excuse he'd give-tbat won't buy
me nothing-wha3 l want 70 do is to
keep him from going. Because n we
lose that Mex now, We lose our mine"
And
NO and 20 a." said Bud doggodly
I'VE amt going 10 lose him."
but n we did" persisted De Ian.
,cey, why, then you think"
"Your friend would get t." finished
Hooker grimly.
"Ah, ! 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; IT won't make no differ.
ence now, Go ahead, n you want TO-"
"You mean you can get along with.
out mef1
"No' answered Bud. Il don't mean
nothing-except what I say. II you
wan 10 palaver around with Aragon.
go 20 Il IN round up Mendoz and his
family and keep 'em right there at the
mine until We get them papers signed
a-uffar fIwH N..s 49, - "