Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1916-04-22

where old Urique keeps his stuff. It's
United States currency, too; he don't
accept anything else. What's doing?
Don't say nothing this time"
why, sure" said the Kid, admirmy
his diamond, there's plenty of money
up there. I'm no judge of collateral
in lunches. but l will undertake for to
say that I've seen the rise Of $4,000 at
time in that tin grub box that my
adopted father calls his safe. And he
let's me carry the key sometimes just
to show me that he knows I'm the real
little Francisco that strayed from the
herd long time ago"
We'll, what are you waiting for?'
asked Thacker angrlly. Don't you
forget that can upset your apple cart
any day want to. If old UPique knew
you were an impostor, what sort of
things would happen to you? Oh, you
don't know this country, Mr. Texas
Kid. The laws here have got mustard
spread between EN-. These people
here'd stretch you out like frog that
had been stepped on and give you
about fifty sticks at every corner Of
the plaza. And they'd wear every
stick out too. What was left of you
they'd feed to alligators.'
81 might as well tell you now, pGrd-
ner," said the Kid, sliding down low
on his steamer chair that things arc
. ng to stay just as they are. They're
about right now"
"Whnt do you mean?' asked Thack-
er, rattling the bottom Of his glass on
his desk
"The schemes of, said the Kid
And whenever you have the pleasure
Of speaking to me address me as Don
Francisco Urique. I'll guarantee III
answer to it. Wen let Colonel Urique
keep his money. His little tin safe is
as good rs the time locker in the First
National bank of Laredo as far as you
and me are concerned"
You're going to throw me down.
then, are yOu?' said the consul
Sure said the Kid cheerfully.
Throw you down. That's it, And
now I'll tell you why The first night
| was up at the colonel's house they
introduced me to bedroom. No blan-
kets on the 1o0r-a real room, with "a
bed and things in it. And before
was asleep in comes this artificial
mother of mine and tucks in the COW
ers. 'Panchito, she says, my little
lost one, God has brought you back to
me. bless his name forever 1t was
that or some truck like that she said
And down comes drop or two Of
rain and hits me on the nose. And
all that stuck by me, Mr., Thacker.
And it's been that way ever since. And
it's got to stay that way. Don't you
think that it's for what's in 1t for me,
either, that l say so, If you have any
such ideas keep 'em to yourself. !
haven't had much truck with women in
my life and no mothers to speak Of,
but here's lady that we've got to
keep fooled Once she stood it; twice
she won't. I'm low down wolf, and
the devil may have sent ME on this
trail instead of God, but I'll travel II
to the end. And now, don't forget that
I'm Don Francisco Urique whenever
you happen to mention my name"
"Ill expose you today, you-you dou.
bic dyed traitor" stammered Thacker.
The Kid arose and without violence
took Thacker by the throat with a
hand of steel and showed him slowly
into corner Then he drew from un-
der his left arm his pearl handled .45
and poked the cold muzzle Of it against
the consuls mouth.
81 told you why l come here" he
said, with his old freezing smile. IF
I leave here you'll be the reason. New
er forget it, pardner. Now, what is
my name?"
"Er-DOn Francisco Uriquer gasped
Thacker.
From outside came sound of
wheels and the shouting of some one
and the sharp thwacks of a wooden
whipstock upon the backs of fat
horses.
The Kid put up his gun and walked
toward the door But he turned again
and came back to the trembling Thack.
er and held up his left hand with its
back toward the consul
There's one more reason" he said
slowly, "why things have got to stand
as they are. The fellow l killed in
Laredo had one of them same pictures
on his left hand"
Outside the ancient landau of Don
Santos Urique ratified to the door. The
coachman ceased his believing Sonora
UriQue, in a voluminOus gay gown OF
white lace and flying ribbons, leaned
forward with happy look in her great
soft eyes.
Are you within. dear son?' she call
ed in the ripping Castllian.
"Madre mia. yO vengO mother,
GOMEZ" answered the young Don Fran
cisco Urlque.