Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-03-27

rosa signaled. then trotted toward him
with ears and tail lifted. Her delight
was open and eytravngant; her well
come was as enthusiastic as horse
could make ii. Gone were her cOq,letry
and airs she noscd and nibbied Dave
shs rubbed and rooted him with the
violence Of bnttcring,ram. and per-
mitted him to hug her and murlnur
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, MS II 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. "Tecny---
nv wifc--told me you was better he
began, $50 | beat il out here. ! hung
around all day yesterday, waiting tn
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 go'
n way with 'em and with animals too.
Why, Rajah, the big pytnon with our
show, took sick one year and he'd have
died sure only for ner. Same with
, lot of the other animals. She knows
morc'n any vet ! ever saw"
perhaps | needed veterinary in
stead of DOCTOR" Dave smiled. Il
guess I've got some horse blood in me-
See" Montrosa had thrust her head
under his arm and was waiting for
+ him to scratch her ears
well. | brought you some mail,
Strange fumbled in his pocket for Il
small bundle of letters. explaining :
"Blaze gave me these for you as /
passed the post Office
Dave took the letters with a 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.
Eve been trying everywhere to locate
you. II you hadn't come home I'd have
gone to the prosecuting attorney, or
somebody"
"Then you've learned something
\ more?r =
Phil nodded, and his sallow face
p,ckered with apprehension. "Rosa
Morales has been to see me regular
Dave passed IN unca.tain hand ovel
his forehead. I'm net in very good
shape to tackle n new proposition, but
what is it?''
"We've got to get Mrs. Austin away
from here"
"We? Why?'
"If we don't they'll steal her.
''Stenl herr Dawes amazement was
patent. Are you crazy?"
sometimes | think | am, but Eve
pumped that Morales girl dry. and
can't figure anything else out of what
she tells me. Her and Jose expect to
make a lump of quick money, jump to
Mexico, get married. and live happ,
ever after. Take it from me, it's Mrs
Austin they aim to Gnsh in on
"Why--the IDEAS Ridiculous"
Maybe it is and maybe it Amt the
fortune-teller persisted. More thar
one rich Mexican has been grabbed
and held for ransom along this river
yes and Americans, too. if yen car
/ believe the stories. Anything goes il
} that country over there
"Y0u think Jose is planning TO kid
: nap her? Nonsense One man couldn
do such thing"
+. Il didn't say he could Phil de
! Tended himself, sulkily. Remember
, l told you there was somebody bacl
of him.
"Yes, l remember but you didn'
know exactly Who
: "Well. | don't exactly know yet.
: thought maybe you might tell me"
: There was brief silence, durn!
which Dave stood frowning Then II,
: appeared to shake himself free from
! Pills suggestions.
Its too utterly preposterous. Mrs
+ Austin has no enemies; she's a pcrs0l
Of importance. If by any chance sh
; Disappeared"
"She's done that very little thing,
u Strange declared.
"What?" l,t
? "Shes disappeared-anyhow,. she
gone. Yesterday when | saw SOU VIZ
laid up and couldn't h.lp me- | phone
her ranch: somebody answered j
Spanish, and from what ! could max
:, ont they don't know where she Isl,
. !, Dave wondered If he had understood
" Strange Alright. or il this could be
trick of his own tired brain sChoosln
= his words carefully. he said. "Do 20
}. mean to tell me that she's missing an
|, they haven't given an alarm! rccs0
II you didn't understand the message, di
your" So
r, Strange shrugged. Maybe didn'
Il Suppose you try. You sabe the lingo
y Dave went to the telephone, leavin
= Phil to whit. When he emerged frol
g the house. n few moments later, 1t WI
with queer, set look upon his face.
/. II got EN- he said. She's gone
e left three days ago"
+. "Where did she GOT"
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