The Huttig news., 1914-07-25


 honestly that he was married to the l comedy Maria; but Hooker could have enlightened him on that point if he had cared to do it.
 Bud Was playing a game, with the i Eagle Tail mine for stake; and, be- ing experienced at poker, ne stood Dat and studied his naHd. Without doubt Mendez had lost hss usefulness as | locator of the mine. since Maria was not his legal vie and could not sign the transfer papers as such. Accord ing to the Ia W of the land the woman now living with Aragons mayprdomo was the Legitimate" wife of the con- tract, and she alone could release title to the mine once Mendez denounced the claim.
 But Mendez had not yet denounced the clam shough for peried Of some thirty days yet he' had the ex- elusive privilege oi doing soand Bud did not intend that he should.
 Meanwhile they must walk softly, leaving Aragon to still hug the dela- sion that lie would soond through his | Ai'ds VI dOiiog iiONC lliS HOAti and when the fuli sixty days Of Cruz Mendezs mining permit had expired they could locate the niae 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
 Well. cheer mp, old top," cried De Lancey. throwing his bridle-reins to the ground and striding up to the tent ''W hat ho, let down the portcuilis, me lord senesehal! And cease your vain repining, Algernon-our papers are all | 0. K. and the lawyer says to go ahead But that isn't half the newsl Say, we had a dance up at the hotel last night and 1 met"
 ; Measure you did broke in Bud; but listen to this!" And he told him of Fl Tuerte's matriuonial entangle- ments.
 l. Why, the crooked devil!" exclaimed De Lancey, Ieaping up at the finish. "Oyez! Mendezi"
 t Don't say 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 Felipes horse in the corral , when he is cool"
 "Si. senor-with great pleasure.
 smirloed Mendez, running to get the
 horse. and after he had departed Bud T .-l-< Ix.., l We cant afford to quarrel with Mir. 1 Mendez,' he said; because if Aragen ever gets hold of him we're ditched. Jest let everything run on like wed overlooked something until the sixty 1 days are up-then, if we get away 1 with it, we'll loca4e the mine our ! selves"
 Yes; but how?"
 Well they's two ways" returned Rud; either hunt up. another Mexican } citizen or turn Mexican ourselves
 Turn Mexican" J" salrilled Phil, and then he broke down and laughed. Well, you're a great one, Bud he chortled; you sure are!" ''I come down here to get this mine," SalQ Buu lac0n3caliy.
 Yes, but you're a .Texan--or was one!"
 That makes no difhArence," an- siwered Bud stoutly. "fhe hot weather IS coming on-revolution is likely to begin any time-and there ain't a sin gle Mexican we can trust. Jest one more break now and we loseout-now how about it?'
 "Who's going to turn Mexican ?' | questioned De Lancey, you or me" We'll will, thenl" No, you won't. either!" cried Phil, do it myself! I'm half Mexican al ready I've been eating chili so longls
 Now here.'' began Rld, listen to me. I've been thinking this over all day and you jest heard about it. The man that turns Mexican is likely to get mixed up with the authorities and have to skip the courary. but the other teller is i'll the other wag-he's get to | stay With the works till hell freezes | over. Now you're an engineer aud you | know bow to opei up q. miae--i don't. l 50, if you say so, I'll tiEoe out the pa | pers and you hold the rins- if you want to you citn turn M,rSS' "Well,' said De Lanoey,s his voice suddenly becoming soft and pensive, -f might as well bell you, Bud that n thinking of settling in tiris cd IL try, anyway. Of course, I don't look at Aragon the way you dol think
 ou are prejudieod and misn dge' him but ever since I've known Graela I've"
 "Graciai' repeated Bud; and then, stirred by some great and unreasoning anger, he rose up and threw down his hat pettishly. ''Id think. Phil' he muttered, you'd be satisfied with all the other girls in the world without,-"
 Now here!" shouted Phil, rising as iunreasoningly to lhis feet. don't you lsay another wordaagainst that girl. or III"
 shut your / mouth, you little