The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1914-08-08

90 lon, o'' ana keep him guessing
Of it, pardner." "3' my Vie"
,0 Wa, that's Ia all right" laughed De
L !. ue he won't get anything out
0, n,.~that is. nothing but q bunch
Oh ), ~. ar. Say, he's a Strengthening
Wv eulnea isn't he? Did YOU notice
, ,uas same eye? He kept 1t kind Of
oloo .t almost shut, until he came
" , uas, polnt-and then he opened it
Wy .1"' nerce. Reminds me of a big
t us o., owl waking up in the day
.Im'' but you just watch me handle
n.'l' 'nu II | don't fool the old boy
out Of bull" ~"
A' you can hand him the bull
IL you want TO-" grumbled Bud but
Inc nfst time you give anything away
~ Sung to pick such row with
'he o'a cuss that we'll have to make a
new Iail to get by. So leave I'm
alone, II you ever expect to see that
girl" ~ '''"|
"A ciose association with Phil De
Lan'ey mad left Bud not unaware of
MS special weaknesses, and Phil was
undoubtedly romantic. Given a barred
anu silent house, shut off from the
s'fee' oy whitened walls and We
rama screened with flowers, and the
guessing eyes of Mr.. De Lancey would
turilea TO those barred windows as GER
talnly as the needle seeks the pole.
oh every trip, coming and going, he
had conned the Aragon house from the
uncovered corredor in front to the
Waiied'ln summer garden behind, hop
ing 10 surprise view Of the beautiful
oauenter Of the house. And unless ru-
NOR and Don Juan were at fault, she
was indeed worthy of his solicitude-
a 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 a rage, had sent
her away to school in order to break
OH some ill-considered love affair; and
now battle royal was being waged
between Manuel del Rey, the dashing
captain Of the rurales stationed at
Fortuna, and Feliz Luna, son of rich
haciendado 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 we'll that they
would receive an active veto from Bud.
For, while De Lancey did most of
the talking, and q 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 frown as black
as thunder cloud.
Hes ont" muttered Phil, as they
drew near enough to see his face.
What shall we do?"
DO nothing" growsed Bud through
his teeth; you jest let me do the talk
ing!"
He Unanswered bis horse adrottly
and, with a skilful turn, cut In be-
tween his pardner and Aragon.
IS dias," he greeted, gazing down
in hurIy 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
hem; 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 for7'
He's mad already" answered Bud.
l want to quarrel with him, so he
ant ask us any questions. Get him
70 mad he won't talk-then it'll be
air fight and none of this snake-in.the-
,rass business"
Yes. but don't put it on him." pro-
ested De Lancey. Let him be
r'endly for a while, If he wants to-"
Cant be friends" said Bud lacon.
cally; we jumped his claim"
Maybe he doesn't want It," sng.
ested Phil hopefully. Hes dropped
lot of money on it"
You bet he wants it," returned