The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-06-06
CHAPTER TX.

CHAPTER TX.
Not the least of the causes which
have brought Mexico to the brink Of
the abyss is the endless quarrel be-
tween church and state, which has al
most destroyed the sanctity of mar
riage and left, besides, a pitiful her
itage of deserted women and father
less children as its toll.
Many an honest laborer has peoned
himself to pay the priest for his mar
rlage, only to be told that it is not
legal in the eyes Of the law; and many
another, married by the judge, has
been gravely informed by the padre
that the woman Is only his mistress,
and the children born out of wedlock.
So that now, to be sure that she is
welded, a woman must be married
twice, and many couple, on account
of the prohibitiye fees, are never mar.
ried at all.
Cruz Mendez was no different from
the men of his class, and he believed
honestly that he was married to the
comely Maria; but Hooker could have
enlightened him on that point II he
had care to do It.
Bud was playing game, with the
Eagle Tail mine for stake; and. be-
ing experienced at poker, he stood pat
and studied his hand. Without doubt
Mendez had lost his usefulness as a
locator Of the mine. since Maria was
not his legal wife and could not sign
the transfer papers as such. Accord
Ing to the law Of the land, the woman
now living with Aragon's mayordomo
was the Legitimate" wife Of the con.
tract. and she alone could release title
to the mine once Mendez denounced
the claim.
But Mendez had not yet denounced
the cAim-though for a period of
some thirty days yet he had the ex-
elusive privilege of doing so-and Bud
did not intend that he should.
Meanwhile they must walk softly.
leaving Aragon to still hug the delu-
sion that he would soon. through his
mayordomo, have them in his power
and when the full sixty days Of Cruz
Mendez's mining permit had expired
they could locate the mine again.
But how-and through whom? That
was the question that Bud was study.
Ing upon when Phil rode up the trail,
and in his abstraction he barely re-
turned his gay greeting.
We'll, cheer up, old top" cried De-
Lancey, throwing his bridle-reins to
the ground and striding up to the tent.
What no, let down the porteullis, me
lord seneschal! And cease your vain
repining, Algernon-our papers are all
.. X. and the lawyer says to go ahead.
But that isn't half the news. Say, we
had dance up at the hotel last night
and met"
"Yes-sure you did," broke in Bud:
but listen to this!" And he told him
of Ell Tuerto's matrimonial entangle.
ments.
why, the crooked devil!" exclaimed
De Lancey, leaping up at the finish.
"Oyez! Mendez!"
Don't say word" warned Bud,
springing to the tent door to intercept
him, or you'll put us out of business!
1t is nothing" he continued in Spanish
as Mendez came out of his house, but
put Don Felipe's horse in the corral
when he is COOL"
Isl, senor-with great pleasure!"
smirked Mendez, running to get the
horse, and after he had departed Bud
turned back and shook his head.
I'VE can't afford to quarrel with Mr..
Mendez," he said; because If Aragon
ever gets hold of him we're ditched.
Jest let everything run on like we'd
overlooked something until the sixty
days are up-then, if We get away
with it, We Il locate the mine our.
selves"
Yes; but howe"
We'll, they's two ways" returned
Bud; either hunt up another Mexican
citizen or turn Mexican ourselves"
/ Turn Mexiean!" shrilled Phil. and
then he broke down and laughed.
We'll, you're great one, Bud" he
1 chortled; you sure are!"
! Il come down here to set this mine, .
said Bud laconically.
. Yes, but you're a Texan-or was
one!"
That makes no difference" an.
swered Bud stoutly The hot weather
3 Is coming on-reyolstion is likely to
begin any time-and there Amt a sin.
gle Mexican we can trust. Jest one
more break now and we lose out-now
how about it,"
Who's going to turn Mexican %
questioned De Lancey. you or me9"