The Huttig news., 1917-03-10

self, acknowledged that it was good to feel the physical comforts of her own house, even though her homecoming gave her no especial joy. She made if religious practice to dress for dinner regardless of Eds presence, though often for weeks at times she sat in solitary state, presiding over an empty table. Tonight, Ed was at home. IL was with grave pre0ccupation that she made herself ready to meet him.
 In the dining room, Ed acknowl. edged his wifes entrance with n care less nod, but did not trouble to re. move his hands from his pockets. As lie seated himself heavily at the table and with unsteady fingers shook the folds from his napkin, he said.
 ''Yon stayed longer than you intend. ed. Um-m-you were gone three days weren't you?"
 Tour days" Alaire told him, real. izing with little inward start how very far apart she and Ed had drifted She looked at him curiously for an in stant, wondering if he really could be her husband, off he were not some peculiarly disagreeable stranger.
 Id had been handsome boy, but he was growing fat from drink and soft from idleness; his face was too full lis eyes too sluggish; there was an unhealthy redness in his cheeks. Iii contrast to his wifes semi-formal dress, he was unkempt-unshaven and soiled. His preparations for dinner this evening had been eharacteristically simple: he had drunk three dry cock tails and flung his sombrero into a cor. her.
 I've been busy while you were gone,o he announced. Been down to the pump house every day laying that new intake. It was nasty job, too l had Morales barbecue cabrito for iay lunch, and it was good. but I'm hungry again Austin attacked his meal with an enthusiasm strange in him. He was q heavy and a constant dfinker at ali times. What little ex- erciSe he took Was upon the back of q horse. and, as no one knew better than his wife, the physical powers he ence had were rapidly deteriorating.
 By and by he inquired, vaguely Lets see. -. Where did you go this timefs
 "T went up to look over the Ygnacio tract"
 "Oh, yes. Think you'll lease it?"
 'I don't know. I must find some place for those La Feria cattle.'
 Austin shook his head. Better leave 'em where they are, until tfe rebels take that country. l stand mighty well with them
 That's the trouble,'' Alaire told him. You stand too well-so well that I want to get my stock out of federal territory as soon as possible
 Ed shrugged carelessly. "Suit yeui. self they're your COWS.
 The meal went on with eesultorS flow of small talk, during which tE, husband indulged his thirst freely Alaire told him about the accideu to her horse and the unpleasant ordea she had suffered in the mesquite.
 Lucky you found somebody at ti, Mater hole Ed commented. "Wh. was this ranger? Never heard of tn. fellow" he commented on the name The rangers are nothing like they Sed to be-
 "This fellow would dc credit to any organization" As Alaire described low expeditiouSly Law had made his 'rreSt and hundlcd his man, her hus- Dand showed interest.
 Nicolas Anto. eh?" said he. "Who Has his companero|
 "Panfilo Sanchez"
 Ed started. That's strange. They must have met accidentally"
 "So they both declared. Why did you let Panfilo go?"
 "We didn't need him here, and he was toe good d man to lose, SO" Ed