The Huttig news., 1917-04-14

NN1S Ntii. SoIlH lO nave yOu leave Las Palmas, for I have regarded you as one of my gente." loses face remained stony. What do you intend to do? Where are you gong?"
 The fellow shrugged. "Quien sabe! Perhaps l shall go to my General Lon gorio."
 Alaire smiled faintly. You will be shot," she told him. Those soldiers have little to eat and no money at all"
 But loses bright eyes remained hos tile and his expression baffiing It was plain to Alaire that her explana- tion of his cousins death had carried not the slightest conviction, and she even began to fear that her part in the affair had caused him to look upon her as an accessory. Nevertheless, when she paid him his wages she gave him good horse, which Jose accepted with thanks but without gratitude. As Alaire watched him ride away with never backward glance, she decided that she must lose no time in appriS- ing the Rangep Of this new condition of affairs.
 She drove her automobile to Jones' vile that afternoon, more worried than she cared to admit. Law was nowhere in town, and so, in spite of her reluc- tance, Alaire was forced to look for him at the Jones home. AS she had never called upon Paloma, and had made it almost impossible for the girl to visit Las Palmas, the meeting of the two women was somewhat formal. But no one could long remain stiff or constrained with Paloma Jones the girl had directness of manner and an honest, friendly smile that simply would not be denied. Her delight that Alaire had come to see her pleased and shamed the elder women. who hesi- tatingly confessed the object of her visit.
 "Oh, l thought you were calling on me. Paloma .pouted her pretty lips Dave isn't here. He and father have gone away"
 It needed no close observation to discover the concern in Paloma's eyes; Alaire told her story quickly. Mir. LAW must he warned right away" she added, for the man is capable of any thing
 Paloma nodded "Dave told us how he had killed Panfilo-' She hesi- tated. and then cried, impulsively: Mrs. Austin, I'm going to confess something-I've got to tell somebody oi. I'll burst. l was walking the floor when you came. Well, dad and Dave have completely lost their wits. They have gone across the river-to get Ri cardo Guzman's body"
 What" Alaire stared at the girl uneomprehendingly My dear girl, aren't you dreaming?"
 Il thought 1 must be when I heard about it. Dad wouldn't have told me at all, only he thought I ought to know in ease anything happens to him." Pa loma's breath failed her momentarily. '"fhey left an hour ago in my machine, with two Mexicans to help them. They intend to cross at your pumping plant as soon as it gets dark, and be back by mdnight-that is, if they ever get baesE."
 Paloma's face was pale, her eyes were strained and tragic. She made hopeless gesture. and Alaire won- dered momentarily whether the girls anxiety was keenest for the safety of her father or-the other?
 Cant we prevent them from go- ing?' she inquired.
 What can we do? They'll go, any how, regardless of what we say.''
 Well, we could be there--you and r..
 PalOma agreed eagerly. "Yes! May be we could even help them if they got into trouble"
 Come. then! We'll have supper at Las Palmas and slip down to the river and wait"
 Paloma was gone with rush. In a moment she returned. ready for the trip, and with her she carried rifle nearly as long as herself
 
 In offering to lend hand in this difficulty, Alaire had acted largely upon impulse and now that she took time to think over the affair more coolly, she asked herself what pos sible business of hers it could be. For her part Paloma was troubled by no uncertainty of purpose; it did not seem to her at all absurd to go to her fathers assistance, and she was so eager to be up and away that the prospect of a long evenings wait made her restless.
 As usual, Ed Austin had not taken the trouble to inform his wife of his whereabouts; Aaire was relieved to find that he was out. and she decided that he had probably stayed at Tad Lewis for supper
 The women were seated on the porch after their meal, when up the driveway rode two horsemen. A mo ment later Il tall figure mounted the steps and came forward with out stretched hand crying in Spanish:
 'Senora! I surprise you. We'll, I told you some day I should give my