The Ordway new era., 1914-11-06
CHAPTER ix-contInued.

SHAfIEh N-SoukUoVVs
Undoubtedly, in his own way. he
~as in love-but he would never ad-
mlt It, that he knew. too. So he sank
down on the blankets and swore harsh
ly, while De Lancey stared at him IN
unfeigned surprise.
well. them" he went ON. taking
Buds answer for granted. Hwhatre
you making such q row aboutf Can't
I 60 to dance, with girl without
you jumping down my throatf"
"W'y, 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 Is to make friends with Aragon
and then make love to his daughter. L.
that your idea of helping things alongf
Dye think that's the way . pardner
ought to actf No. / tell you, It ID notfs
"Aw. Bud" protested, De Lancoy
plaintively. what's the matter with
youf Be reasonable. old man: never
meant to hurt your feelingsi"
Hurt my feelings!" echoed Hooker
scornfully. "Huh. what are We down
here for. anyway--a Sunday school
'picnicf My feelings are nothing. and
they can wait: but we're sitting on .
mine that's worth million dollars
mebbe-and It ain't ours. eIther-and
when you throw In with old Aragon
and go to making love to his daugh-
tor you know you're not doing right!
That's all there is to it-you're doing
me and Kruger dirti"
'Well. Bud said Do Lancey with
mock gravity. -if that's the way you
feel about 1t won't do 1t any morei"
"I wish you wouldn't" breathed Bud.
raising his head from his hands: at
sure wears me out, Phil. worrying
about 1t" aH
well. then, won't do It," protested
Phil sincerely. so that's settled-now
who's going to turn Mexican citizenf"
Suit yourself" said Bud listlessly.
"I'll match you for III" 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.
THAT was the agreement-whenev
It was an even break we'd let the
money talk. Here's your quarter-and
II match you I'll become the Mexi-
can citizen. All set? Let. 'er go!"
He fipped the coin into the air and
caught 1t in his hand.
"Heads!" he called, without looking
at 1t. What you got?"
"Heads!" answered Bud, and Phil
chucked his money into the air again
and laughed as 1t dropped into his
palm.
Heads she is again!" he cried.
showing the Mexican eagle; II 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 l won't go
near the Aragon outfit unless you're
with me-is that go? All right,
shake hands on it. pard! wouldn't
quarrel with you for anything!"
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! Wow! sure wished you were
there to see me do It!
This ,Felix Luna Is the son of an
old sugar planter down in the hot coun.
try somewhere. He got run out BY
tho 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 favosa
him.
But this Manuel del Rey Ii the cap
tain Of the rurales around here and q
genuine Mexican dre-eater-all buck
slEin and fierce mustachios, and smelli
1fks chill peppers and garlic-and the
two Of 'em we're having 1t back ant
firth ~ to who got the next dane,
with Gracia-
well. you know how II = at . Mexi
can dance-everybody b supposed b
- introduced to everybody slss-ani
YAsn I saw those two young turksy