The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1917-08-16

what was going on from the people nc
the next ranch. But expected to II
him here, too"
"How did you manage to get here?"
IL hardly know. | just wouldn't let
EN- stop me. This lieutenant wouldn't
let me In until | told him I was from
Monterey with important news. ! don't
remember oil ! did tell him. I tried to
get here last night, but had trouble.
They caught me, and had to buy my
way through. I've bribed and bullied
and lied clear from Romero. l reckon
they couldn't imagine I'd risk being
here II l wasn't n friend"
II was more Dawes tone than his
words that reused Alaire to an appre-
citation Of what he said.
Are you alonef" she asked, In vague
dismay. "Then what are we going
to do?"
II don't know yet. My plans ended
here"
"Davel You rode in Just to find me!
Just IL be with mcf"
yes. And to get him." Alalre saw
his face twitch. and realized that 1t
was very huggard, very old and tired.
They lifted my guns-a bunch OF fell
lows ut the Rio Negro crossing. Some
Of them were drunk and wouldn't be-
licyr | was IN amigo. So | finally had
to ride for t."
Cant you take me awayi" she
asked, fnintly. What will you do
Wicn-hc cumcs?"
81 reckon I'll manag him somehow"
Ills grip upon her frightened painfully,
and she could feel him trcmhle. II
was afraid | wouldn't find you. /
O God, Aluire. :" lie buried his face
In her hair.
II had at terrible scene with him last
night. lie ip"ists upon marrying me.
IL was hoping you'd come
GLOW could |, when nobody knew
whore you worcy"
didn't you know? wrote YOU" He
9 -hook his head. Then how did you
Learnt
"l'rom Jose. ! caught him within an
hour of the murder, and made him tell
me everything"
Alairc's eyes dilatcd: she held her
self away, saying. brrathlcssly Muir
der. Is that what It was? lIe-Lon-
gorio-told me something quite differ
emit"
Naturally. 1t was he who hired Jose
to do the shooting"
"Oh-h. !" Alaire hid her face In her
hands. She looked up again quickly,
however. and her checks were white.
Then he won't spare you, Dave" She
choked for an instant. 1--WE must get
away before he comes. There must be
some way Of escape. Think"
"I'm pretty tired to think. I'm pretty
near played out" he confessed.
"They're watching me. but they'd
let you go"
'. "Now that I'm here I'm going to stay
until"
She interrupted, crying his name
loudly, "Dave"
"Yes. What Is IT."
"Wait Let me think" She closed
her eyes: her brows drew together as
II In the labor OF concentration. When
she lifted her lids her eycs were alight,
her voice was eager. II know how. |
II sue u. Iit N'u I tdlt- but sou A'u"'
do what | tell YOU"
"Of course"
\ "No questions. Understanding
\ When he nodded lmuatlcntly she ran
to the door and, nInginG it open, called
down the hall:
"Eu'hrr. Father O'AIallcy Quick ~
Then she summoned Dolores.
The priest answered; he hurried
from his room aud. with n dazcd lack
of comprehension. acknowledged his
swift introduction to Dave. .Alalre was
kc nly nlivc md vibrant with purpose
now. Dolores, too, came running, and
while the men were exchanging greet
ingS her mistress murmurrd something
In her ear, then fastened her dcpnr'
ture with II quick push. Turning upon
the others. Alnirc explained:
"Ivc sent for some of the women,
and they'll he here In n minute. Fn'
Their, this man has come for me. He
loves me. VIII you marry US before
Longorio arrIves?"
"Alairc :" Dave exclaimed.
She stilled him with a gesture,
"Quick VIII you?"
Father O'Mallcy was hewlldered. ~
p don't understand" he cXpostulated.
GRO RE CONTINUEDl