The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-08-04
CHAPTER xvIl.-continued.
c~US y ES1~ y AIeAs'


with jerk.
so! You're feeling better, aren't
you?" the latter woman cried, heartily.
Eyes. How did I get here?" Dave
asked. 81 must have been right sick
and troublesome to you
PalOma smiled and nodded. "Sick
Why, Dave, you frightened US nearly to
death You were clear out of your
head"
Mrs. Strange broke into his frown-
Ing meditation to ask, How long since
you had nights sleep?"
Ct Oh, the prosecutor at Browns
vile amt let me alone a minute for a
week.
"Umphi 1 thought so. You puzzled
that piIl-roller but doctors don't know
anything, anyhow. Why, he wanted to
wake you up to find out what allied
you! 1 threatened to scald him if he
did,
Il seem to remember talking good
deal" Dave ventured. 81 reckon L
said lot of foolish things He caught
the look that passed between his
nurses and its significance distressed
him.
Mrs. Strange continued: That's
how we guessed what your trouble
was, and that's why wouldn't let that
fool doctor dist1r you. Now that
you've had a sleep and are all right
again, I'm going home and change my
clothes. I haven't had them off for
two nights
1.-TWO nights ~ Dave stared in be-
hn To-
gized for the trouble he had caused,
and tried to thank the women for their
kindness.
He was shaky when, an hour later,
he came downstairs for breakfast; but
otherwise he felt better than for many
days; and Blaze's open delight at see
ing him did him as much good as the
food he ate.
Dave spent part of the morning sun
ming himself on the porch, reading the
papers with their exciting news. Dur
ing his absence Paloma had done her
best to spoil Montrosa, and among 9TH
er marks of favor had allowed her free
run of the yard, where the shade was
cool and the grass fine, and where de-
licious tidbits were to be had from the
kitchen for the mere asking. In con-
sequence, Dave did not remain there
long until he was discovered. Mont
rosa signaied, then trotted toward him
with ears and tail lifted. Her delight
was open and extravagant; her well
come was as enthusiastic as a horse
could make it. Gone were her coquetry
and airs; she nOsed and nibbled Dave;
she rubbed and rooted him with the
I'll e EaA
1itted him to hug her and murmur
words of love into her velvet ears She
snapped confidence for confidence,
too; and then, when he finally walked
back toward the house, she followed
closely, as if fearful that he might
again desert her.
Phil Strange met the lovers as they
turned the corner of the porch, and
warmly shook Dawes hand. '"Teeny-
my wife-tOld me you was better" he
began, $50 beat it out here. 1 hung
around all day yesterday, waiting to
see you, but you was batty."
II was pretty SICK" Dave acknowl-
edged. Mrs. Strange was mighty kind
to me-"
"Sick people get her goat. She's got
way with 'em and with animals, too.
Why, Rajah, the big python with our
show, took sick one year, and he'd have
died sure only for her. Same with a
lot of the other animals. She knows
mOre'n any vet 1 ever saw"
Perhaps I needed a veterinary in
stead of a DOCTOR" Dave smiled. Il
guess I've got some horse blood in me.
ISee!" Montrosa had thrust her head
under his arm and was waiting for
him to scratch her ears.
well, 1 brought you some mail, !"
Strange fumbled in his pocket for a
small bundle of letters, explaining
t''Blaze gave me these for you as /
passed the post office"
Dave took the letters with q word of
thanks, and thrust them carelessly in
to his pocket. What seems to be the
trouble?" he inquired.
"You remember our last talk? Well,
them Mexicans have got me ratified.
I've been trying everywhere to locate
you. If you hadn't come home I'd have
gone to the prosecuting attorney, or
somebody"
"Then you've learned something
more3"
Phil nodded, and his sa1low face
puckered with apprehension. Rosa
Morales has been to see me regular"
Dave passed an uncertain hand over
his forehead. I'm not in very good
shape to tackle new proposition, but
what is it?''
We've got to get Mrs. Austin away
from here"
1--WE? Why?"
"If we don't they'll steal her."
'.Steal herr" Dawes amazement was
patent. "Are you crazyP'
Sometimes 1 think 1 am, but I've
pumped that Morales girl dry, and
cant figure anything else out Of what
she tells me- Her and Jose expect tt
make a lump OF quick money, jump Il
Mexico, get married. and live happy
ever after. Take it from me, it's Mrs
Austin they aim to cash in on"
''Why-the ideas ridiculous !"
Maybe it is and maybe it amt" thu
6ortune-teller persisted. more thar
one rich Mexican has been grabbed
and hold for &C., <z.s- -f~-<v-