The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1914-08-20

comedy Maria: but Hooker could have
enlightened him on that point II he
had cared to do II
Bud was playing a game. with the
Eagle Tall mine for a stake; and, be-
Ing experienced at poker. he stood pat
and studied his hand. Without doubt
Mendex had lost his usefulness rs a
locator OF the mine. since Maria was
not his legal wife and could not sign
the transfer papers as such Accord
Ing to the law of the land. the woman
now living with Aragons mayordomo
was the Legitimate" wife OF the con.
tract. and she alone could release title
to the mine once Mendez denounced
the claim.
But Mendez had not yet denounced
the claim-though for a period OF
some thirty days yet he had the ex-
elusive privilege of doing so-and Bud
did not intend that he should.
Meanwhile they must walk softly.
leaving Aragon TO still hug the delu-
sion that he would soon. through his
mayordomo. have them In his power
and when the full sixty days Of Cruz
Mendez's mining permit had expired
they could locate the mine again.
But how-and through whomf That
was the question that Bud was study
ing upon when Phil rode up the trail.
and in his abstraction he barely re-
turned his gay greeting.
We'll. cheer up. old top" cried De
Lancey. throwing his bridle-reins to
The ground and striding up to the tent
What no. let down the portcullis. me
lord seneschal! And cease your vain
repining. Algernon-our papers are all
D. X. and the lawyer says to go ahead.
But that isn't half the newsl Say. we
had a dance up at the hotel last night
and met"
"Yes-sure you did," broke In Bud;
but listen to this!" And he told him
Of FL Tuertos matrimonial entangle-
ments.
why, the crooked devil!" exclaimed
De Lancey. leaping up at the finish.
oyer! Mendez!"
Don't say a word" warned Bud,
springing to the tent door TO intercept
him, 'or you'll put us out OF business!
It is nothing" he continued In Spanish
as Mendez came out OF his house, but
put Don Felipe's horse In the corral
when he is cool"
Isl. senor-with great pleasure!"
smirked Mendez, running TO get the
horse. and after he had departed Bud
turned back and shook his head.
I'VE can't afford to quarrel with Mr.
Mendez." he said; because II Aragon
ever gets hold OF him we're ditched.
Jest let everything run on like we'd
overlooked something until the sixty
days are up-then. II we get away
with II, well locate the mine our
selves"
Yes; but how"
well. they's two ways" returned
Bud; either hunt up another Mexican
citizen or turn Mexican ourselves"
Turn Mexican!" shrilled Phil. and
then he broke down and laughed.
well, you're great one. Bud" he
chortled: you sure are!"
Il come down here TO get this mine."
said Bud laconically.
Yes. but you're q Texan-or was
one!"
THAT makes no difference" an
swered Bud stoutly. The hot weather
is coming on-revolution Is likely to
begin any time-and there amt sim
gle Mexican we can trust Jest one
more break now and we lose out-now
how about IT."
Who's going to turn Mexicanr
questioned De LAncey. you or mer'
WE'LL will, then!"
mo. you won't, either!" cried Phil.
forgetting his canny shrewdness. TN
do It myself! I'm half Mexican al
ready, I've been eating chilli 30 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 Ia 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 a mine-I don't
So, II you say 30. I'll take out the pa
pers and you hold the mine-or II you
want TO you can turn Mex"
WELL" said De Lancey. his voice
suddenly becoming soft and pensive,
q might a. we'll tell you. Bud. that
I'm thinking OF settling In this coun-
try. anyway. OF course. ! don't look
at Aragon the way you dol think
you are prejudiced and mis1udge him
but ever since I've known Grscia
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 herei" shouted Phil. rising az
unreasoningly TO his feet. don't you
say another word against that girl. or
III"
shut your mouth. you little
shrimp!" beloved Bud. wheeling upon
him menscinsly. You seem to think
you're the only man In the world
that"
"oh. slush.. Budi- cried Phil in dis