The Dolores star. [volume] (Dolores, Montezuma County, Colo.) 1901-current, 1916-04-21
CHAPTER XVIII,
And CounterpIots.

And Counterplots.
When Pedro and Sam Hill separated
on the night OF their Jersey adventure
the latter made straight for Jones
street. accompanied by Beau-Jean. and
upon reaching the refuge OF the rear
tenement tumbled into bed without
more ado, and for seven hours slept
the sleep of the just, his head upon
an improvised pillow of Quilting-be-
meath which his hand grasped the pre-.
cious document that Iris, as he thought.
had sent him.
Very possibly his repose would have
continued for a much longer period.
had 1t not been for the activity OF Gun
evlere and Hermania in the room i'm
mediately below. These ladies', their
household duties. as usual entirely
neglected. were loudly applauding Old
Nita's efforts to instruct Koko in a
new accomplishment; namely. to use
as cymbals the lids OF two fish kettles
strapped to his front paws.
Now the clash Of cymbals, no mat
ter how amateurish and uncertain the
performers efforts, Is not conducive
to slumber. to say the least OF 1t; and,
therefore. with a groan Of protest,
Sam returned to consciousness of all
that had befallen him. and all that
was yet to be undertaken. While he
washed and shaved he pondered deeply
upon how he should set about getting
the information that Iris desired. AS
he drew on his boots he still won
dered. and uncertainty did not cease
with the knotting of the silk bandanna
about his throat. But at about this
point hunger began to distract his at
tention. and so. deciding that he
would be able to think more collect
eddy upon full stomach, he descend
ed to the fiat below and demanded to
be fed.
koko dropped to his all-fours at this
intrusion. glad to be rid of the encum-
berng kettle-lids, which Old Nita un-
tied. grumbling at the interruption OF
the lesson, but nevertheless delighted
to see Hill. The other two women
hustled about and prepared food for
him, and soon he was munching rumi-
natively, oblivious Of, and impervious
to, the questions that they showered
upon him. At last Hills attention was
arrested by them. however, and he in
quired if Anna were Ill.
NO" replied Nita. she is going
to have u baby In the spring, that 10
all, and she is getting so that che will
not let Rico out of her sight; nor will
CHI hi
How they will live do not know, what
with bringing no money in, and such
idleness! They are a pair OF fools,
those two. ! am very wicked wom-
an, am, but | really do think they
should get married now"
Are they not married?" said Hill,
surprised. why not. do you sup
pose?"
Nita merely shrugged and turned
away upon some matter of her own.
Hill. cup in hand, arose and ap-
preached the lovers.
Bon jour-" said he abruptly why
| the devil aren't you married?"
Rico looked up pleasantly, his smile
| ever ready and friendly for the be.
loved Samhill. Then, as the latter's
words sank into the unknown depths
| of his slow mind, a cloud crossed his
| handsome face.
Married? Why, l do not really
know. mon ami" he responded slowly.
"Anna-why are we not married?"
| For a moment she looked as Devil.
dered as Rico, and then smile OF
understanding broke upon her lips.
WHY" she said, I'VE love each
other! We have been very, very busy
loving each other, and dancing the
bear. do not believe we ever thought
about getting married."
| So serious and obviously sincere was
this reply that Hill scarcely knew
whether to laugh or frown. But to
refrain from making the patent sugges
ton was impossible.
why not do it, now that it occurs
to you?" said he.
| Rico looked at him earnestly.
DO you advise it. Samhill?" he
asked. I'VE could not love each othe,
the more because Of a few words said
over us!"
Very true" replied the painte,
gravely, but there Is the child to con
slider. You would like It to bear YOU
name, would you not?"
1T shall be called Rico If it In q
boy" said Annals lover, but a Cir
would be Anna. SO what Is to be gained
In that caser"
But your last name" insisted Hill