The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-06-09


Mrs. Austin, it seemed, had regained
her good humor.
You will receive no more of my IA
VOrite authors" she told Dave, spite
fully. 'TIl keep them to read my
self"
DO you still believe in chivaIry?"
Alaire turned her eyes upon the
questiOner. and there were no girIish
illusions in them. DO you?" she quer-
led. with a faint curl of her lip.
"Why-yes'
She shook her head. 'AIen have
changed. Nowadays they are all self
ish and sordid. Butt shouldn't gen.
eralize, for I'm q notorious man-hater,
you know"
He nodded, whereupon she eyed him
speculatively. Let US see. You are
a man-hOw far would you go for the
woman you lOved?"
''The limit -
Mrs. Austin frowned at this light
seeming answer. 81 suppose you mean
that you would make any sacrifce?"
yes; that's it."
would you give up the woman her
self, if you considered it your duty?"
mo. There couldn't be any duty
higher than love-to my way of think
Ing. But you shouldn't take me as
a specimen. I'm not good represen-
tative of my sex"
Il think you are very good one"
Alatre said quietly, and Dave realized
that no f1attery was intended.
Despite the rough roads, they made
fair time, and the miles of cactus and
scrawny brush rolled swiftly past. The
morning sun swung higher, and by
midday the metal of the automobile
had become as hot as a frying pan.
They stopped at various goat ranches
to inquire about Adolfo Urbina, and at
noon halted beside a watercourse for
lunch.
Dave was reflling the radiator when
he overheard Jose in conversation with
Mrs. Austin.
Nowhere a tracer the horse
breaker was saying. mo one has seen
him. Poor Rosa Morales will die of
q broken heart
Alafre explained to her guest: 'Jose
is worried about his cousin Panf1lo. 1t
seems he has disappeared"
"SoI You are Panflo's cousin? ?"
Dave eyed the Mexican with new in
terest.
"Si!''
you remember the man?" AIaire
went on. "He was with that fellow
you arrested at the water-hole."
'Oh, yes. I remember him." With
steady fingers Dave shook some to-
baccO into a cigarette paper. He felt
Alaire's eyes upon him, and they were
eloquent of inquiry, but he did not
meet them.
Jose frowned. mo one at La Feria
has seen him, and in Pueblo there was
not word. 1t is strange"
"Panf1lo was in bad company when
saw him." Law finished rolling his
cigarette and lit it, still conscious of
Alaire's questioning gaze. HE may
have had trouble"
HE was a good man." the horse
breaker asserted. eff he is dead
The Mexican's frown .deepened to a
scowl.
''What then?'
Jose significantly patted the gift re-
volver at his hip. ''This little fellow
will have something to say"
Dave looked him over idly, from
head to heel, then murmured: ''You
would do well to go slow, compadre.
PanfiIo made his own Quarrels."
1--WE were like brothers, and I do
not know Of any quarrels. But shall
find out. I am not given to Boosting,
senior, but I am a devilish bad man In
my way"
Nothing more was said during the
luncheon. but when Alaire had finished
eating and her two employees had be-
gun their meal, she climbed the bank
Of the arroyo ostensibly to find a cool
spot. Having succeeded, she called to
Dave:
There is a nice breeze up here"
The Rangers face set; rising slow
~. he climbed the bank after her.
When they stood face to face In the
shade OF a gnarIy oak tree, Alaire
asked him point-bIank:
where is Panfilo Sanchez?'
Dave met her eyes squareIy; his
own were cold and hard. "He's where
he dropped at my second shot," said
he.
He could hear his companions sharp
inhalation He did not finch at the
look she turned upon him.
He was practically unsrmed What
do you call-Such an act?'
Dawes lips slowly whitened, his face
became stony. He felt himself pitf-
lessly condemned.
why didn't you tell me at the
dmeT' she asked. "Why didn't you
report ft7''
''Fn report it when you give me per
mission
H7 what-T She wheeled to
face him.
'sThink moment. I can't tel half
the truth. And If tel everything.
It VIII lead to-gossip.