The evening world., 1914-04-24

ness or the perpetrator or any mis-
chief be prosecuted with great vigor.
This was enough for Las Rubertas.
1t understood Senior Spiser and his
methods perfectly. Unwelcome strang.
ers had often found II moro convenient
to move on.
The animosity Of the women GEN.
tired upon Nan. while the men could
not forgive the Intervention which
had lost them the fight at the bale.
They had no love for Riley, but they
feared him. also they needed him,
and at any rate he was mostly upon
the road between Hopedale and Las
Rubertas.
Therefore he was eliminated from
their whispered conversation, but the
names Of Nan and Bob figured fire.
quently. The latter's civility they
mistook, as usual. for weakness, and
Nan Bah! she was q woman! They
had no definite plans. but they pre-
pared for San Juan's day with more
zest than usual.
Tubs Of spap-root for a general
hair-washing were put to soak in
the front yards. The afternoon of
the card brought wagon-loads OF
guests from the outlying districts for
every family. Crates OF chickens,
goats, and many kegs OF homemade
wine arrived.
Mans door-yard was filled with tho
shfieking grandchildren Of the Mon
tejos, who stared and snickered as
they passed, without reprimand
from their elders. Everywhere she
felt tho unfriendly atmosphere and
Mrs. Gallagher was as alert as n
sheepdog with coyotes in the vicinity.
Bob saw her uneasiness and vague
~ shared IL as he sat with Nan for
Tot tn IN
guitars and Wheeling accordions In
the plaza, and to the sounds OF the
Montejo end OF the dobe Of drinking
and much laughter which was good
natured enough as yet.
"Nan," Bob asked suddenly ana
bluntly, when are you going homer
She answered as bluntly and with
a touch Of defiance. II don't know
They sat In silence for n time.
"Do you think. Nan'S-he asked
gently--"that you would be content
here for long1 3, the slamor would
81 love it-this life"
"They are tremendously uneasy
about you-the family"
80 they've written. I'm threatened
with a guardian II don't 20 homo.
I've asked for a months reprieve."
"And at the end of that time you'll
go?"
"Or stay-for keeps"
"Oh, Mani" that was all. He arose
quickly and said good night. adding
In Il voice which sounded unnatural
from the effort 1t cost him to speak I:
"Be careful Tomorrow; they may all
be drunk"
The celebration OF San Juan's day
began long before daylight and the
Montejos were out by lantern light
killing tho goats under Mans win
dow; men, women and children
shrieking with laughter at tho strug-
giles OF the dying animals.
by tho time the sun rose the drink
ing and feasting were well under way.
At 10 o'clock the songs and laughter
were boisterous. but still good nat
ured. All tho village and it's guests
In gala day attire were fiocking
toward the plaza.
1t was Mans custom to ride each
morning, but to-day she hesitated
because OF Bob's warning, and, too.
she noted Mrs. Gallagher's vigilance,
The woman knew nothing definite.
but the Indian in her sensed danger
and, when Mans restlessness became
too great she viewed her prepare
tions to ride with unqualified dis
approval.
I'm not go far-truly I'll not Not
out OF sight Of Las Rubertas. Besides
what could happen to me IN broad
daylight"
"Many things have happened 10
Americans where the mesquite grows
thick and there Is no one TO hear a
shot"
"Listen!"- roar went up from the
oil hax at xln ri In, .
time. and too busy with their games
and themselves to think Of me. But
I'll be back within the hour. Just to
relieve your mind"
Nan turned IN the saddle and kissed
her finger-tips lightly to her swarthy
chaperon as she rode away
She had gone less than ten minutes
when Rosario. running as for her life
through Epiphanio Montejo's alfalfa
field, looked with dismay In her eyes
at the empty corral.
L.. =. a