Mexico Missouri message., 1914-07-23

OuTt, hkfttu buuf uub Wo hih =
buying nothing from him-he's the
one particular hombre we want to
steer clear of, and keep him guessing
as long as we can. That's my view
of It, pardner." 90
"Oh. that's all right" laughed De
Lancey, "he won't get anything out
of me-that is. nothing but a bunch
of hot air. Say, he'e shrewd-looking
old guinea, isn't he? Did you notice
that game eyer He kept II kind Of
dropped, almost shut, until he came
to the point-and then he opened 1t
up real fierce. Reminds me of q big
fighting owl waking up in the day
time. But you Just watch me handle
him, and II l don't fool the old boy
at every turn it'll be because run
out OF bull"
well, you can hand him the bull
If you want to-" grumbled Bud, but
the first time you give anything away
I'm going to pick such row with
the old cuss that well have to make a
new trail TO get by. So leave i'm
alone, II you ever expect to see that
grill"
A close association with Phil De
Lancey had left Bud not unaware Of
his special weaknesses. and Phil was
undoubtedly romantic. Given a barred
and silent house, shut Off from the
street by whitened walls and a We
randa screened with flowers, and the
guessing eyes of Mr.. De Lancey would
tNr I'd 20 ka ,tnI
tainly as the needle seeks the pole.
On every trip, coming and going. he
had conned the Aragon house from the
uncovered corredor in front to the
walled-in summer garden behind. hop
ing to surprise view of the beautiful
daughter of the house. And unless ru-
NOR and Don Juan were at fault, she
was indeed worthy of his solicitude-
gay and sprightly creature, brown
eyed like her mother and with the
same glorious chestnut hair.
Already those dark, mischievous
eyes had been busy and, at the last
big dance at Fortuna, she had set
many heads awhirl. Twice within two
years her father, in q rage, had sent
her away to school In order to break
off some ill-considered love affair; and
now a battle royal was being waged
between Manuel del Rey, the dashing
captain of the rurales stationed at
Fortuna. and Feliz Luna, son of a rich
haclendado down in the hot country,
for the honor Of her hand.
What more romantic, then, than that
handsome American, stepping grace
fully into the breach, should keep the
naughty lovers from staying each
other by bearing OF the prize himself?
So reasoned Philip De Lancey, mus
ing upon the ease with which he could
act the part; but for prudential pur-
poses he said nothing of his Wanting
ambitions. knowing full well that they
would receive an active veto from Bud
For. while De Lancey did most Of
the. talking. and great deal Of the
thinking for the partnership, Hooker
was not lacking in positive opinions;
and upon sufficient occasion he would
express himself, though often with
more force than delicacy. Therefore,
upon this unexpected sally about the
girl, Phil changed the subject abruptly
and said no more of Aragon or the
hopes within his heart.
1t was not SO easy. however, to avoid
Aragon, for that gentleman had appar-
emily taken the pains to inform him
self as to the place where they were
at work, and he was waiting for them
in the morning with a frown as black
as a thunder cloud.
He's on!" muttered Phil. as they
drew near enough to see his face.
What shall we do?"
do nothing" growled Bud through
his teeth; you Jest let me do the talk
ing!"
He Unanswered his horse adroitly
and, with skilful turn. cut In be-
tween his pardner and Aragon.
IS dias," he greeted, gazing down
in buriy defiance at the militant Ara
gon; and at the same moment he gave
De Lancey's horse furtive touch with
his spur.
''Buenos dias, senores!" returned
Aragon. striding forward to intercept
them; but as neither Of the Americans
looked back, he was left standing in
the middle OF the street.
That's the way to handle 'im," OBJ
served Hooker, as they trotted briskly
down the lane. Leave i'm to mel"
'It1l only make him mad" objected
De Lancey Grossly. What do you
want TO do that for?"
Hes mad already" answered Bud.
Il want to quarrel with him. 30 he
can't ask us any questions. Get him
30 mad he won't talk-then it'll be a
fair fight and none of this snake-in-the-
grass business"
Yes, but don't put 1t on him." pro-
tested De Lancey. Let him be
friendly for while II he wants to-"
Cant be friends" said Bud lacon-
ically; I'VE jumped his claim"
Maybe he doesn't want it." sug-
gested Phil hopefully. He's dropped
n lot 0f monav nm 81