The Elbert County tribune., 1914-08-14
CHAPTER Ix--con.Inusd.

CHAPTER 1x--ContInued.
Undoubtedly, in, his own way. he
vas in love-but he would never ad
NIT 1t. that he knew, too. So he sank
down on the blankets and swore harsh
ly. while De Lancey stared at him In
unfeigned surprise.
We'll. them" he went on. taking
Buds answer for granted. "what're
you making such a row aboutf Can't
] 60 to a dance. with girl without
you jumping down my throatT
wy, sure you can!" rumbled Bud.
now hot with a new indignation; but
after getting me to go into this deal
against my will and swearing me TO
some damn-fool pledge. the first thing
you do IL To make friends with Aragon
and then make love to his daughter. Is
that your idea Of helping things along?
Dye think that's the way pardner
ought to act7 No. I tell you. 1t is notl"
"Aw. Bud" protested De Lancey
plaintively, whats the matter with
your Be reasonable, old man; never
meant to hurt your feelings!"
Hurt my feelingsl" echoed Hooker
here for, anyway-a Sunday school
picnic7 My feelings are nothing. and
they can wait; but we're sitting on a
mine that's worth million dollars
mebbe-and It amt ours, either-and
when you throw In with old Aragon
and go to making love to his daugh-
ter you know you're not doing right!
That's all there is to it--you're doing
me and Kruger dirtl"
We'll. Bud said De Lancey with
mock gravity. III that's the way you
feel about 1t won't do 1t any more!"
II wish you wouldn't" breathed Bud,
raising his head from his hands; at
sure wears me out. Phil. worrying
about it"
We'll. then. won't do it." protested
Phil sincerely. 80 that's settled-now
who's going to turn Mexican citizen ?"
Suit yourself" said Bud listlessly
"I'll match you for 1T" proposed De
Lancey. diving into his pocket for
money.
Don't need to-" responded Bud;
you can do what you please"
mo; I'll match you'll" persisted Phil
II was an even break we'd let the
money talk Here's your quarter-and
II l match you I'll become the Mexi-
can citizen. All set? Let 'er go!"
He tipped the coin into the air and
caught 1t in his hand.
"Heads!" he called, without looking
at It. What You got?"
'Heads!" answered Bud, and Phil
chucked his money into the air again
and laughed as it dropped into his
palm.
Heads she is againl" he cried.
showing the Mexican eagle, Il never
did see the time when couldn't match
you, anyway. So now. old socks, you
can keep right on being Texan and
hating Mexicans like horny toads, and
I'll denounce the Eagle Tail the min
ute the time is up. And won't go
near the Aragon outfit unless you're
with me-is that a go? All right,
shake hands on It, pard! l wouldn't I
quarrel with you for anythingi"
Jaw. that's all right" mumbled Bud,
rising and holding out his hand II
knowed you didn't mean nothing" He
sat down again after that and gazed
drearily out the door.
Say, Bud" began Phil, his eyes
sparkling with amusement. i've got
something to tell you about that dance
last night II ] didn't put the crusher
on Mr.. Feliz Luna and Manuel del
Rey! Wowl ! sure wished you were
there to see me do III
This Felix Luna is the son of an
old sugar planter down in the hot coun-
try somewhere. He got run out by
the revoltosos and now he's up here
trying to make winning with Gracia
Aragon-uniting two noble families.
and all that junk. Well. sir. of all the
.conceited, swelled-up little squirts you
ever saw in your life he's the limit.
and yet the old man kind OF favou
him.
But this Manuel del Rey IL the cap
tain Of the rurales around here and o
genuine Mexican fire-eater-sIl buck
skin and fierce mustachios. and smells
1fks chill peppers and garlso-and the
two of 'em were having 1t back and
forth as TO who got the nsxt dance
with Gracia-
well. you know how It is at Mexi-
can dance--everybody is supposed to
be introduced to everybody else-and
when l saw those two young turkoy-