Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1914-04-24

I missed the goose, and here I find you
driving II to market"
1T followed me-" was Jim's reply.
ut doesn't look that way" said the
girl significantly. and Jim remembered
with a curious sinking OF the heart
that Il would be hard to prove an alibl.
for he had been shooting the c%onfound-
ed bird with a small branch when the
mOtorcar had overtaken him.
while Jim had been bordering these
things the girls eyes had never left his
face.
"well. what are you going to do
about itT' he asked at last.
II believe you're the man who rob
bed n chicken roOsts last week." re
piled the girl-"when you poisoned our
dog. Ponto"-
Poisoned your dogT" echoed Jim
blankly. do I look like a man who
would poison a dog?"
But the girl evaded the verbal an
swer although her eyes frankly ac-
knowledged that she believed the dis
reputable figure before her would be
guilty OF almost any crime.
you will pick up the goose and get
into the car" she said crisply.
Suppose / prefer to run awayT7
asked Jim angrily.
you dare not" she said coOlly and
displayed a very serviceable little re-
yolver. Now, pick up that goose and
get into the car. I'm going to take you
to Delmore to the nearest magistrate.
These petty thievings are contempt
ible.f
Fol a few moments Jim stared in
credulously at the girl, but her expires
sion Of determination was unwavering.
There was no softening of her long
dashed blue eyes, and her red lips were
firmly set. His eyes wandered to the
car, which was of the latest mOdel-in
fact. 1t was a duplicate of his own
handsome car. Suddenly a steely CLEAN
cnme into his gray eyes, and he moved
around the car.
"I1l pick up the goose and go with
you," he decided grimly.
WhereupOn cnsued n quarter hour Of
~undoubted amusement to the girl in
the motorcar, for the goose objected to
being caught and fought viclously with
feet and bill and wings, but Jim came
on triumphant, although his appear
ance was rendered more disreputable
than before. Now his face was plas-
tered with mud, and there was a little
trickle of blood on one cheek where
the goose had pecked him.
IL nm sorry you are hurt" said the
girl in a strangled voice as Jim climb
ed into the tonneau and wrapped the
indignant bird in a robe so that only
the head and long neck were visible.
mo matter, so long MS justice and
right triumph retorted Jim dryly, and
the girls face went suddenly serious,
and she shot a queer. doubtful glance
at him.
In another moment the car jerked
forward. and they were of for Del
more.
Once the girl turned sharply around.
II thought you laughedr' she muir
INJURED. n hint OF embarrassment in her
lovely face.
81 expect it was the gOose-laughing
at me. no doubt" said Jim gloomlly.
She turned her face away and gave
her entire attention to the operation
Of the car. Jim watched her furtively
and could not help but grudgingly ad-
mire her skill I'm driving. The road
was narrow. and Once or twice they
met other vehicles. the occupants Of
which Invariably stared with surprise
at the battered young man In the ton
neau, who appeared to be IN attendance
upon a very III goose, and many OF
them appeared to recognize the girl,
for they exchanged gay greetings as
they passed.
At last they came into the long vii
lage street, and the car swerved into
the driveway of u large, white painted
residence.
81 am taking you before the magis-
trate, Judge PInney," said the girl
crisply.
Young Oscar Pinney's dad2" cried
Jim eagerly.
"Yes-dO you know Oscar?" asked
the girl In a surprised sort Of way.
I've heard of him." muttered Jim,
for Oscar had been his classmate at
college.
Judge Plnney came down the front
steps to greet them. He was u tall,
white bearded man. whose austere
cOuntenance did not change in the
least when the girl stated her errand.
"YOu did well to bring him to me,
Carol" he said. "Please come into my
Office and make your complaint" He
helped Carol to the ground aud then
motioned Jim to follow.
"Bring the goose" he ordered.
Jim meekly obeyed and presently
found himself standing before Judge
Plnney's great walnut desk. while
Carol Delmore briefly stated her com
plant against the unkempt and much
frazzled youth. who was compelled to
hold the goose all the while.
Now Judge Pinney looked over his
spectacles at Jim, and his voice rasped
sharply.
"well, young man, what have you to
sayi" he demanded.