The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1914-07-16

"Thnt's right" smiled Pooker: him
and me have ~ friends for months
now out at tho mine. I'd do anything
for that Teller
"Oa, now o make me Jealous, she
pouted. II I were only a YHqui-and
big and black"
Never mind" defended Bud. tic
was a true friend all right. and 7
friends. believe me, are scarce
There was a shade OF bitterness In
his voice that did not escape hor, and
she was careful not TO allude To Phil.
Ills name. like the name 81 her father,
always drove this shy man to silence
and she wanted to make him talk
Then you ought TO be friends with
me-" sho chldod, after a silence. Il
have always wanted 70 BE- your friend
why win you never allow ~ No
but really Haven't always shown
it, | remember now the frst time that
! saw you'll was looking through my
hole among tho passion-iowers and
yon saw me with your keen eyes. Phil
did not-but he was there. And YOU
Just looked nt me once--and looked
away. Why did you never respond
when I came there to look for youl
You would Just ride by and look at
me once, and even Phil never knew"
mo" agreed Bud. smiling quietly.
"TIe was crazy to see you, but he rode
right by. looking ut the windows and
such"
'The FIRST time I met him." unused
Gracia. Il asked about you. Did ha
ever tell your"
Bud hung HIS head and grinned
~sheepishly. Il was not dinlcult 60 make
out a a against him.
And 40 Gracia had not wanted Del
Rey killed as he thought she did!
she was not the vicious woman he
had thought her for a time. She vas
just the gentle. noble girl he had
sworn 10 protect and conduct across
the border 10 her fanoe. Again came
tho desire TO claim her, but there was
not only Phil 20 be thought OF but
the ftnees Of himself 10 be the mate
OF this oma
els IL something ] have doneP" sho
asked at last. Is hat why you never
liked me7 Now. Mr. Hooker. please
speak to me! And Why do you always
sit SO far away-are YOU afraid OF mef
But look she uoved closer TO him
here We are alone, and l I'M not afraid
of you'll"
aOf course not" answered bud. look
ing across at her boldly. why should
o be-you aln't afraid OF moth
ihSl"
'Ts that a compliment" she demand
ed eagerly. "ob. then I'm 40 happy
rs the first you ever paid me, hut
have I beer brave" she beamed. so
farg Have I been brave. like a mani
Sure havel" remarked Hooker i'm
personally, but va Amt there yet
Only thing ! don't like about you In
O don't eat enough. Say. don't pick
up them crumbs-lct me pare on some
more OF this ierked beef for you. Can't
nobody be brave when they're hun
cry. YOU know. and want to bring you
In safe"
WHY" she inquired, aa she accepts
cd the handful OF meat ia is on.
Pills account7" she ventured. as he
sat gazing stoically nj the horses.
You we're such friends. weren't your.
she went on innocently. "Oh, that is
Why ] admire the Americans no much
they are 20 true to each other"
Yes" observed Hooker, rolling hia
eyes on her. we're fine that wayi"
Well. ! neal H." she insisted, az
she read the irony IN his glance.
"Surei So do II" answered Hooker,
and Gracia continued her meal IN al
lence.
"Myl" she said az last: "this meat IL
good Tell me. how did you happen to
have Il or your saddle? We left SO
suddenly, you KNOW
She gazed up at him demurely, curl
to see how he would evade this eyl.
dence that he had prepared In advance
for their ride. But once more, as ho
had always done. Hooker eluded tho
cunningly laid snare.
4 was figuring on pulling out my
self" he replied i~ngenuously.
What? And not take me-" she
cried. "Oh. thought--but dear me,
what IL the useg"
/ She sighed and dropped her head
YEARLY.
81 am so tired" she murmured de-
spondently; shall We be going on
/ Eoon7"
mot unless somebody Jumps u.s."
returned Bud. Here. let me make
you a bed in tho shade. There now"
-as he spread out the saddle blankets
temptingly-"yon lay down and get
some sleep and IN kinder keep a
watch"
"Ah. you are 40 kind" she breathed.
az she sank down on tho bed. "Don't
you know" she added. looking up az
! him with sleepy eyes that half con.
eealed n smile. = believe you liko me.
Nft-F H."
I Sure" confessed bud. returning
. her smile "A honestly; don't you wor-
, ~ nohe about mel like you fine"
Hs slipped away at this. grinning,to
himself. and sat down 70 watch the
. ulafn All ahnut him Iav eho 1917.