The Huttig news., 1917-05-19

Slowly, in Signs and Whimpers, Cries
 of Reluctance, His Story Came. feating his own ends. Dave allowed his victim ample time in which to regain his ability to suffer.
 Alaire Austin had been right when she said that Dave might be ruthless : and yet the man was by no means in- capable of compassion. At the present moment, however, he considered him- self simply as the instrument by which Alaire was to be saved. His own feel ings had nothing to do with the mat ter: neither had the sufferings of rhs Mexican. Therefore he steeled himself 10 prolong the agony until the murder CTS stubborn spirit was worn down. Once again he put his question, and. asitlH reeetvlng uenance, Jummeu ui- canteen between Jose's teeth.
 But human nature is weak. For the first time in his life Jose Sanchez felt terror-a terror too awful to be en- dured-and he made the sign.
 
 the challenger. but an imploring wretch, whose last powers of resist ance had been completely shattered. His frightened eyes were glued to that deyilish vessel in which his manhood had dissolved, the fear of it made a woman of him.
 | Slowly, in signs and whimpers, in 1 agonies of reluctance, his story came I his words were rendered almost ineom- prehensible by his abysmal fright 1 When he had purged himself of his secret Dave promptly unbound him then leaving him more than half dead. he went to the telephone which con- nected the pumping station with Las Palmas and called up the ranch.
 He was surprised when Blaze Jones answered. Blaze, it seemed, had just arrived, summoned by news of the tragedy. The countryside had been alarmed and search for Ed Austin's slayer was being organized.
 "Call it off" Dave told him. i've got your man." Blaze stuttered his surprise and incredulity. Il mean it. It's Jose Sanchez, and he has con 1 fessed. I want you to come here, quick; ard come alone, if you don't mind. I need your help"
 Inside of ten minutes Jones piloted his automobile into the clearing beside the river, and, leaving his motor run uing, leaped from the ear.
 Dave met him at the door of the Morales house and briefly told him the story of Jose's capture.
 "Say! That's quick work the rancher cried, admiringly. Why, Ed ain't cold yet! You gave him the wa 1 ter-cure,' eh? Now 1 reckoned 1t would take more than water to make a Mexi- can talk"
 "Jose was hired for the work; he laid for Ed Austin in the pecan grove and shot him as he passed"
 Hired! Why this hombre needs luick hangin', don't he? told 'em at Las Palmas that you'd rounded up the guilty party, so reckon they'll be here in few minutes. We'll just stretch this horse-wrangler, and save the coun- ty some expense" Law shrugged. Do what you like with him, built isn't necessary. He'll confess in regulation form. I'm sure. I had to work fast to learn what became of Mrs. Austin"
 "AIiz Austin? Whats happened to her?'
 Dave's voice changed; there was a 1 .l r{..tyn ynfttta nf "They've got her, Blaze. They waited until they had her safe before they killed Ed
 "'Theyg Who are you talkin' about?"
 ..I mean Longorio and his outfit. He's got her over wonder" Dave flung out trembling hand toward the river.
 Seeing that his nearer failed to com prehend, he explained, swiftly: "He's crazy about her-got one of those Mexican infatuations-and you know what that means. He couldn't steal her from Las Palmas-she wouldn't have anything to do with him-so he used that old cattle deal as an excuse to get her across the border. Then he put Ed out of the way. She went of her own accord. and she didn't tell Austin, because. they were having trouble. She's gone to La Feria. Blaze.'
 La Feria Then she's in for il" Dave nodded his agreement; for the first time Blaze noted how white ant set was his friends face.
 "Longorio must have foreseen wha was coming" Dave went on. "rhal