The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1914-08-08


well. 'muchas gracias' is mine" alb
served De Lancey. at doesn't cost
anything, and it buys s whole lot"
Sure" agreed Bud; but We amt
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."
"Oh, that's all right" laughed De
Lancey, ''he won't get anything out
OF me-that is, nothing but bunch
Of hot air Say, he's a shrewd-iooking
old guinea isn't he? Did you notice
that game eyer He kept 1t kind OF
dropped, almost shut, until he came
70 the point-and then he opened it
up real fierce Reminds me OF a big
fighting owl waking up in the day
time. But you just watch me handle
him, and If 1 don't fool the old boy
at every turn it'll be because / run
out OF bull
well, you can hand him the bull
il you want to-" grumbled Bud, but
the first time you give anything away
I'm going to pick such q row with
the old cuss that we'll have to make
new u kSN n.y. ~ ACdNC ILL
alone, If 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 q barred
and silent house, shut OF from the
street by whitened walls and a We
randa screened with flowers, and the
ouesting eyes Of Mr.. De Lancey would
turned to those barred windows as GER
| 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
walledin 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-
a gay and sprightIy 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 awhirI. Twice within two
/ years her father, in a rage, had sent
/ uSE away 10 SCuOOl " UISdA
OF some fIl-considered love affair; and
now battle royal was being waged
! between Manuel del Rey, the dashing
! captain OF the rurales stationed at
| Fortuna, and FeIiz Luna, son of a rich
haciendado down in the hot country,
for the honor of her hand
! What more romantic, then, than that
a 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 a 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 we're
at work, and he was waiting for them
in the morning with a frown as black
/ as a thunder cloud
He's onI" muttered Phil, as they
drew near enough to see his face
What shall we dot"
DO nothing" growled Bud through
his teeth; you jest let me do the talk
ing!"
He Unanswered his horse adroitly
and, with a skilfuI turn, cut in be-
tween his pardner and Aragon.
IS dias," he greeted, gazing down
in burly defiance at the militant Ara
gon; and at the same moment he gave
De Lancey's horse furtiVe touch with
his spur.
'Buenos dias, senoresI" 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"
It'll only make him mad" objected
De Lancey Grossly. What do you
want to do that for?'
He's mad already" answered Bud
II want to quarrel with him, so he