The state herald., 1917-08-31
Copyright By Harper 4 Brothers
CHAPTER x-conlnued.

Dut us IL MS tlOuSHtS were telepn
thic messages, she did the very thing
he feared.
ave won't be In before midnight
she said, but I'll send you to Jones
vile in the morning"
'Thank you, ma'am Ill have TO &c
right through"
"Ill get you there in time for bust.
ness. We've gained a reputation for
lnhospitableness at Las Palmas that
| want to overcome. Mr.. Austin ought
to know" She added, "about this-mat-
ter We were discussing, and l want him
to meet you"
He has" Dave said, shortly; and
at his tone Alaire looked up.
"Sow She studied his grim face.
"And you quarreledT"
I'D really prefer to go on, ma'am.
I'll get to Jonesville somehow"
''You refuse-to stay under his
roof"
''That's about It,"
'Tm sorry" She did not ask for
further explanation.
The windows of Las Palmas were
black, the house silent, when they
arrived at their journeys end; Dolo-
res was fretful, and her mistress ached
In every bone. When Jose had helped
his countrywoman into the house,
Alaire said:
'If you insist upon going through,
you must take the car. You can re-
turn 1t tomorrow"
"And-about Panfilo?" Dave queried.
"Wait. Perhaps I'll decide what is
best to do in the meantime. Good
night"
Law took her extended hand. Alaire
was glad that he did not fondle it In
that detestable Mexican fashion of
which she had lately experienced so
much; glad that the grasp of his long
strong fingers was merely firm and
friendly. When he stepped back into
the car and drove off through the
night, she stood for some time looking
after him.
Blaze Jones had insisted that Dave
live at his house, and the Ranger had
accepted the invitation; but us It was
late when the latter arrived Mt Jones'
Vile. he went 10 the hotel for few
hours rest. When he drove his bor-
rowed machine up to the Jones house,
about breakfast time. both Blaze and
Paloma were delighted to see him.
"Say. now! What you doing rolling
around in n gasoline go-devil3" the
elder man inquired, and Law was
forced TO explain.
"Father has never learned to drive
a car without yelling Gee and 'Haw,'"
laughed Palomn. 'And he thinks he
has title to the whole road. too. You
know these Mexicans are slow about
pulling their wagons 10 one side. Well.
father got mad one day, and when
team refused him the right OF way. he
whipped ont his revolver and fired"
Blaze smiled broadly. at worked
great. And believe me, them Greasers
took to the ditch. went through like
hot wind, but ! shot up sixty-five
-n'tridges between here and town."
"Why didn't Mrs. Austin ask you to
stay nll night at Las Palmasi" the
girl inquired of Dave.
''She did"
Wonderful |" Paloma's surprise
was evidently sincere. ~ suppose you
refused because OF the way Ed trnated
you. Tell me. is she nice?"
"Shes lovely"
This vehement declaration brought
. sudden glenn OF interest into the
pucstloner's eyes.
"1hcy ray she has the most won.
dcrful gowns and Jewels, and dresses
for dinner every night. well"-Palo-
ma tossed her head-"rm going TO
have some nice clothes, too. You
~nlti"
snow don't you stnrt riggln' your.
self up for meals" Blaze said. warn.
lnely. First thing / know, you'll have
me In full'drcss suit, splllIn' soup
ON my shirt" Then TO his guest he
complained, fecllngly: "I don't know
what's come over Paloma lately; this
new drcssmnkcr has plumb stampeded
her, somebody'd ought to run that
feline out o, town, before she ruins
me-"
1shc Is n viry nice woman" com.
p'hccntiy declared the daughter: but
her fn'hcr snortcd loudly.
II wouldn't associate with such
crittcr"
MY But you're proud"
Ut nlD't that" Blaze defended him.
self. II kno', her husband. and he's
had horibrc. He backed me up
against n watorin' trough md told my
fortune yesterday. He snid I'd be
married twice md have many children.
He snid ! loved widows, nnd unless
was poisoned by dark lady I'd live
TO be eighty years old. II ia Ind gun
on me, I'd have busted him for some
of the things he said "A dark lady =
That's his wife. give you wnrnlu'
Pnlonn, don't you ask her TO stay for