The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1916-03-04

where old Unique Keeps his stuff. It's
United States currency, too; he don't
accept anything else. What's doingi
Don't say nothing this time
why sure" said the Kid, admirinI
his diamond, there's plenty Of money
up there. I'm nc judge of collateral
in punches, but | will undertake for to
say that I've seen the rise of $4,000 at
a 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 a long time ago"
well, what are you waiting for?"
asked Thacker angrily. Don't you
forget that l can upset your apple cart
any day l want to. If old Urique 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 'em. These people
here'd stretch you out like a 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."
Il might as well tell you now, pard.
ner," said the Kid, sliding down low
on his steamer chair, that things are
going to stay just as they are. They're
about right now"
What do you meanY' asked Thack-
er, rafting the bottom of his glass on
his desk.
THE schemes off," said the Kid.
And whenever you have the pleasure
of speaking to me address me as Don
Francisco Urique. I'll guarantee I'll
answer to it. Well let Colonel Uriaue
keep his money. His little tin safe is
as good as 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 your" 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 a bedroom. No blan-
kets on the foor-a real room, with IA
bed and things in it. And before l
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 a 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
its got to stay that way. Don't you
think that it's for what's in it for me.
either, that | say SC. 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 a lady that we've got to
keep fooled. Once she stood it: twice
she won't. I'm a low down wolf, and
the devil may have sent me on this
trail instead of God, but I'll travel it
to the end. And, now, don't forget that
I'm Don Francisco Unique whenever
you happen to mention my name"
I'll expose you today, you-you dou-
BILE 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 a corner. Then he drew from I'M
der his left arm his pearl handled As
and poked the cold muzzle of it against
the consul's mouth.
Il told you why 1 come here" he
said. with his old freezing smile. IF
l leave here you'll be the reason. New
er forget it. pardner. Now, what is
my name?"
"Er-Don Francisco Uriquew gasped
Thacker.
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 n of them same pictures
on his left hand"
Outside the ancient landau of Don
Santos Unique 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 a happy look in her great
soft eyes.
Are you within, dear SOM" she call
ed in the ripping Castilian.
"Madre mia, 70 vengo mother, }
GOMEZ answered the young Don Fran
cisco Unique.