The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1914-08-15
CHAPTER Viii.

There are some people in this world
with whom it seems impossible to quar-
rel. notably the parents of attractive
daughters.
Perhaps, if Gracia Aragon had not
been watching him from the window
Philip De Lancey would not have been
quite SO cordial with her father-at
least, that was what Hooker thought,
and he was so badly peeved at the
way things had gone that he said it,
too.
Then, OF course, they quarreled, and,
one thing leading to another, Phil told
Bud he had very low way OF speak
Ing. Bud replied that, whatever his
deficiencies Of speech might be, he
was not fool enough to be drawn in
by skirt, and Phil rebuked him again
Then, with scorRful grunt, Bud
Hooker rode on in silence and they
said no more about it.
1t was gay life that they led at
night for the Fortuna hotel was filed
with men of their kind, since all the
staid married men had either moved
across the line with their families or
were under orders to come straight
home.
In the daytime the hotel was nearly
deserted. for every man in town was
working for the company; but in the
evening, when they gathered around
the massive stove. 1t was merry COM
pany indeed.
There were college men, full of good
stories and stories not so good. world
wanderers and adventurers with such
tales of the East and West as never
have been written in books. But not a
college boy could match stories with
Phil De Lancey. and few wanderers
there were who could tell him any
thing new about Mexico. Also, when
dt came to 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 a
broad. indulgent grin, listening to the
end, and Phil, his eyes altght with
liquor and good cheer, talking and
laughing far into the night.
Outside the winter winds were still
cold and the Mexicans went wrapped
to the eyebrows; but within the merry
company was slow to 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 the last to go.
But on the evening after their spat
Bud sat OF to one side, and even Phil's
sprightly and ventriloquistic converse
ton with the-little-girl- door
called forth only f1eeting smile.
Bud was thinking, and when en-
gagged in that arducus occupation ever
the saucy little girl behind the dOol
could not beguile him.
But, after he had studied it all on
and come to a definite conclusion. h'
did not deliver an uitimatum. The old
good-natured smile simply came bacl
TO his rugged face; he rolled a cigar
cite; and then for. the rest OF the eve
ming he lay back and enjoyed tn
show. Only In the morning, Whel
they went out to the corral to get thei
horses, he carried his War-bag wit
him and. after throwing the saddle o.
to Copper Bottom, he did the same 70
their spare mount
What are you going TO pack out
Bud?" inquired Phil. and Bud slappe
his canvas-cOvered bed for an answer
Then, with heave, ne snaked 1t on
OF the harnessroom where it had bee
stored and slung It deity across tn
pack-saddle
Why. what's the matter?" said D
Lancey. when they were on their way
don't you like the hotsl?''
Hotels fne," conceded Bud. hut
reckon I'd better camp out at tn
mine. Want to keep my eye On ths
Mexican of ours.''
CAV. he's ali right" protested Phi
Sure" said Bud: 81 amt afrai
he'll steal something he migi
take q notion to quit the country"
why. what Tor easllenged