Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-11-08
HEART OF THE SUNSET
BY REX BEACH
COPYRIGHT. 1878. bv Harper q Brothsy..


friend an ardent admlrer." Benito winked
Dolores told me all about that, too. No,
think they went 10 la Fers."
Dave remembered his first conversation
with PM Strange and the fortune teller's
insistence that some powerful person was
behind Jose Sanchez More than three
weeks ago Strange had forecast something
very like this murder Of Ed Austin.
Dave felt as " he were the victim OF an
hysterical Imagination. Nevertheless, he
forced himself to ask quietly:
is Jose Sanchez anywhere about?"
The range boss shrugged. II sent him
TO the east pasture this morning"
did he go2'
"Eh7 So! You suspect Jose OF this. God
In heaven! Jose is wild boy But
walt I'll ask Juan IL he saw him: yes.
ana Victoria, too. That is Victoria you
hear squalling in the kitchen. Wait here"
Bentto hurried away leaving Dave n prey
10 perpleNity; but he was back again In a
few moments. His face was grave
Jose did not go to the east pasture" he
Where Is he now?"
No one seems TO know"
Law walked to his horse, mounted and
galloped away Bcnito who watched him,
saw that he turned toward the river road
whlch led to the Las Palmas pumping plant.
The more Dave thought about Ed Austn's
] I
was In some way connected with Alalres
disappearance: and the loose end by which
the tangle might be unraveed IL seemed
TO him, lay In the hands of Rosa Morales,
Jose's sweetheart. That Sanchez was the
murderer Dave now had little doubt but
since tho chance OF apprehending him was
small, he turned his attention to the girl.
lie would make Rosa speak. he told him
self. II he had 20 use force-this was no
time for gentle methods. II she knew
aught of Alaires whereabouts or the mys-
terry OF her departure from Las Pamas he
would find a way to wiring the truth from
her. Dawes face, trihe too sombcr at all
times, took on a grimmer aspect now he
felt slow fury kindling in his breast.
Years of experience had taught him to
be always alert, even during his moments
Of deepest preoccupation and so. from
force OF habit, when he came to the pump
house road he carefully scanned H. In the
dust were fresh footprints leading toward
the river Now he knew this road to be
seldom used. and therefore he wondered
who could be -iding IL at a gallop In this
blistering midday heat. few rods farther
on and his quick eye detected something
else-somethlng that brought him from his
saddle. Out of the rut he picked a cigarette
butt the fire of which was cold but the
paper of which was still wet from the
smokers lips. He examined It carefully;
then he remounted and rode on, pondering
its significance
Dave loped out OF the thiclIet and straight
across the clearing of the Morales house.
Leaving Montrosa's reins hanging. he
opened the door and entered without knock
ing. Rosa appeared in the opening OF an
other door her eyes wide with fright at
this appartion, and Dave saw that she was
dressed in her finest. as II for a holiday
or for a journey.
Where's your fsther?" he demanded.
He's gone to Sangre de Cristo. What
do you want?'
when did he GOT"
"This morning, early. He"
Who's been here since he left?"
Rosa was recovering from her first sur
prise, and now her black brows drew to-
gether in anger mo one has come. You
are the first. And ,have you no manners
to stride into a respectable house,"
Dave broke in harshly. Rosa. you're
living Jose Sanchez has been here within
an hour Where is her" When the girl
only grew whittier and raised a hand TO her
breast ne stepped toward her, crying. AN
swer me !"
Rosa recoiled, and the breath caught in
her throat like sob, I'll tell you moth
ing" she said in thin voice. Then she
began TO tremble. Why do you want
JOSEF"
"You know why He killed Don Eduardo,
and then he rode here. Come! ! know
everything"
Lilies Lies !" RosaS voice grew snrlll.
"Out of this house l know you. II was
YOU who betrayed Panfio and his blood
is on your hands, assassin! :" With the last
word she made as II TO retreat, but Dave
was too quick; he seized her and for an
instant they struggled breathlessly.
Dave had reasoned beforehand that his
only chance of discovering anything from
this girl lay In utterly terrorizing her and
i'm profit.ng by her first panic therefore
ne pressed his advantage. He succeeded
better than he had dared TO hope.
you know who killed Senior Ed" he
cried hercey. '"rhe fortune-teller read your
plans, and there Is no use TO deny H."
Rosa screamed again; she writhed she
tried to sink her teeth into her captor's
flesh In her body was the strength OF a
full-grown man. and Dave could hardly hold
her. But suddenly, as the two scuftied.
from the back room Of the house came a
sound which caused Dave to release the girl
as abruptly as he had seized her--it was
the clink and tinkle Of Mexican spurs upon
a wooden floor.