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

mo, you won't, elLner! CTleu fHll,
forgetting his canny shrewdness. I'll
do it myself! I'm half Mexican al
ready, I've been eating chilli SO long!"
Now here" began Bud. listen to
me. I've been thinking this over all
day and you jest heard about It, The
man that turns Mexican is likely to
get mixed up with the authorities and
have to skip the country, but the other
Teller is in the other way-he's got to
stay with the works till hell freezes
over.
Now you're an engineer and you
know how to open up mine-I don't.
So, if you say so, III take out the pa
pers and you hold the mine-or If you
want to you can turn Mex
WELL" said De Lancey, his voice
suddenly becoming soft and pensive,
II might as we'll tell you, Bud, that
I'm thinking Of settling in this toun-
try, anyway. Of course. | don't look
at Aragon the way you do think
you are prejudiced and misjudge him
but ever since I've known Gracia
I've"
"Gracia!" repeated Bud; and then,
stirred by some great and unreasoning
anger, he rose up and threw down his
hat pettishly I'D think, Phil" he
muttered, you'd be satisfied with all
the other girls in the world without"
Now here!" shouted Phil, rising as
unreasoningly to his feet, don't you
say another word against that girl, or
I'll"
Shut your mouth, you little
shrimp beloved Bud, wheeling upon
him menacingly. you seem to think
you're the only man in the world
that"
"Oh, slush, Bud" cried Phil in dis
gust, you don't mean to tell me you're
in love with Gracia too'
"Who-me?" demanded Hooker, his
face suddenly becoming fixed and
masklike; and then he laughed hoarse-
ly In derision and sank down on the
bed.
Certainly, of the two of them. he
was the more surprised at his sudden
outbreak Of passion; and yet when the
words were spoken he was quick to
know that they were true.
Undoubtedly, In his own way, he
was 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. then" he went on, taking
Buds answer for granted, "whatre
you making such row about? Can't
| go to a dance, with a girl without
you jumping down my throat?"
Wy, sure you can!" rumbled Bud,
now hot with new indignation; but
after getting me to 60 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. Is
that your idea Of helping things along?
Dye think that's the way q pardner
ought to act? No, tell you, 1t Is mott"
"Aw, Bud" protested De Lancey
plaintively, what's the matter with
you? Be reasonable, old man; never
meant to hurt your feelings!"
Hurt my feelings!" echoed Hooker
scornfully. Huh, what are we down
here for, anyway Sunday school
picnic? My feelings are nothing, and
they can wait; but we're sitting on a
mine that's worth a million dollars
mebbe-and it amt ours, either-and
when you throw in with old Aragon
and so to making love to his daugh-
ter you know you're rot doing right!
That's all thCre Is to YOU'RE doing
me and Kruger DIRE
We'll, Hud' sad De Lancey with
mock gravity, III that's the way you
feel about ii / won't do it any more!"
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