Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-10-16

calves IN one OF the outer pastures--and
there had been a very good calf crop In
deed Blaze recounted his own doings Law
told OF Ranger activities along the lower
border. In the cool OF tho afternoon RI
cardo rode with his visitors and then, cor
dial relations being now established he he
gan to divulre Information % value 70 Law.
Yes. he had endured many depredations
from thieves. IL was shameful. but doubt.
less God willed that n Certain amount OF
stealing shouid 10 on in the world The
evil doers were certainly favored by ma
turc In this locality, Tor the great eNpanse
ot brush country % the north and east OF
fcrcd almost perfect security, and the river
60 tho south gave immunity from pursuit
or prosecution. The bcoves were driven
north into tho wilderness, but the horses
went 20 Mexico. whore tho war had created
market for them The Federals had
plenty OF money to buy mounts
Whom did Don Ricardo suspectG
Tho old man was noncommlttaL Suspi-
clon was one thing proof was quite an
other and conviction was difficult under
tho best Of circumstances. Why even
cows recognition OF her own calf was not
evidence for n court, and alibis were easily
proved
Unless the thieves were caught In the
very act there was no case against them,
and-por Dots One could not be ever on
guard who could tell whore the male
| factors would strike next9 Now. In Mexico
ncighbor without so much formality. But
thank God Don Ricardo was not Next
can. No. he vas a good American citizen
II was something 20 make him sleep well In
these war times.
Just the same I'll bet he'd sleep better
| II the Lewis OUTFIT was cleaned up" Dave
veutured. and Blaze agreed.
| Guzman caught his enemy's name and
nodded.
"Ahl That sin verguenza, lie sells
arms 60 the Candelerlstas and horses 20 the
! Potosistas. Perhaps he steals my calves.
Who knows?"
'Senor Lowis doesn't need to steal lie
has money" Jones argued.
| True But who is so rich that he would
not bo richerT Lewis employs men who are
poor. and he himself Is above nothing l.
too, am a friend of the Rebels. Panchito
the Ltberator, was n saint, and give money
TO the patriots who fight for his memory,
But do not aid the tyrant Potosi with my
| other hand Yes, and who Is richer, for
Instance, than Senor Eduardo Austln2"
| You surely don't accuse him of double
dealing with the Rebels?" Blaze inquired
curiously.
II don't know. He s friend Of Tad
Lewis. and there are strange stories afioat.'
Just what these stories were. however
hucardo would not say. feeling, perhaps
| That he had already said too much.
The three men spent that evening to-
| gether. and In the morning Blaze rode home
leaving the Ranger behind for the tim,
belng as Guzman's guest.
Dave put In the next two days ridinl
the pastures, familiarizlng himself with tn,
country and talking with the few men h,
| met About all he discovered, however. wal
| the fact that the Guzman range not onl,
adjoined some OF Lewis's leased land bu
also was bounded for several miles by tn,
Las Palmas fence.
IL was pleasant TO spend the days amonJ
the shy brush cattle. with Bessie Belle 70
company. The mare seemed TO enjoy tn
excursions as much as her owner Her eye
and ears were ever alert she tossed he
head and snorted when a deer broke cove
or Jack rabbit scuttled out OF her path
she showed friendly interest in the awlS
ward calves which stood and eyed her witt
such amazement and then galloped or witt
tails high arched
Law had many times undertaken to breal
Bessie Belle of that habit OF hlngin. he
head high at sudden sounds. but she wa
nervous and inquisitlve, and this was tn
one thing upon which she maintained
feminine obstinacy
On the second evening the Ranger rod
home through a drizzle that had mate
rialized after n long, threatening afternoo
and now promised to become n real rair
Ricardo met him at the door to say:
You bring good fortune with you, senoi