Gilpin observer., 1914-09-17

and when the fuu sixty days OF CRUZ
Mendez's mining permit had expired
they could locate the mine again.
But how-and through whom? 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
o. X. and the lawyer says to go ahead.
But that isn't half the news! Say. we
had 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 Ell Tuerto's matrimonial entangle-
meNts.
why. the crooked devil!" exclaimed
De Lancey, leaping up at the finish.
"Oyez! Mendez!"
Don't say a word" warned Bud.
springing to the tent door to intercept
him, "or you'll put us out of business!
1t 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 MI.
Mendez." he said; because If 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, if we get away
with it, we'll 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.
We'll, 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 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 Mexican 2"
questioned De Lancey, you or me~
"Well-I will, then!"
mo. you won't, either!" cried Phil.
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 1t. The
man that turns Mexican is likely to
get mixed up with the authorities and
have to skip the country. but the other
, feller 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 so. 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,
81 might as well tell you. Bud. that
I'm thinking OF settling in this coun-
try, anyway. or course. don't look
at Aragon the way you dol 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 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 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 tool"
"Who-me?" demanded Hooker. his
face suddenly becoming fixed and
masklike; and than 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.
crO BE CONTTNUED)