The state herald., 1917-09-14
meeting Austin. Luis Lonrorio was

the sort Of man who enjoys strained
situation, and one who shows to the
best advantage under adverse condi-
tions. Accordingly. Eds arrival, in
stead Of hastening his departure. mere
ly served to prolong his stay.
1t was growing late now, and Palo-
ma was frantic. Profiting by her first
opportunity, she whispered to Alaire,
"For Gods sake. send him away"
Alaire's eyes were dark with excite
ment. "Yes." said she. ''Talk to him,
and give me n chance to have a word
alone with Ed"
The opportunity came when Austin
went into the dining room for drink.
Alaire excused herself to follow him.
When they were out Of sight and hear
ing, her husband turned upon her with
IN ugly frown.
"What's that greaser doing here?'
he asked roughly.
"He called to pay his respects. You
must get him away"
II must?" Ed glowered at her.
"Why don't you? You got him here
In my absence. Now that I'm home,
you want me to get rid Of him, eh ?
What's the idea?"
Don't be silly. didn't know he
was coming and-he must be crazy to
risk such n thing"
"CrazyT Eds lip curled. "He isn't
crazy. l suppose he couldn't stay away
any longer. BY heaven. Alaire-"
Alaire checked this outburst with
a sharp exclamation: "Don't make a
scene! Don't you understand he holds
over fifty thousand dollars worth OF
La Feria cattlel Don't you understand
we can't antagonize hlmf"
'Is that what he came to see you
aboutr
"Yes." She bit her lip. "rll explain
everything. but-yOu must help me
send him back, right away" CHANGING
ut the clock, Alaire saw that 1t was
drawing on toward midnight; with
quick decision she seized her husband
by the arm, explaining feverishly !:
'There is something big going on to-
night, Ed! Longorio brought guard
OF soldiers with him. md left them ut
our pumphouse. Well, 1t so happens
that Blaze Jones and Mr.. Law have
gone to the Romero cemetery to get
Ricardo Guzman's body"
"Whatf' Austin's red face paled,
his eyes bulged.
"Yes. That's why Paloma is here.
They crossed Mt our pumping station.
and they'll be back at any time, now.
II they encounter Longorio's men-
You understandf
"lticardo Guzman's body!" Austin
wet his lips and swallowed with din.
Guilty. "why-do they want his bodyT'
"ro prove that he is really dead
nnd-to prove who killed him." Not.
Ing the effect Of these words. Alairc
cried sharply. "whats the matter,
Edr'
But Austin momentarily was beyond
speech. The decnnter from which he
was trying to pour himself II drink
played u musical tattoo upon his glass
his face had become nshcn and pasty.
SLOW many men has he gotf" Aus.
tin nodded In the direction OF the front
room.
II don't know. Probably four or Ave.
What ails your"
Something "a her husbands incxpll.
cable agitation. something iu the hunt.
ed, desperate way In which his eyes
were running over the room. alarmed
Alairc.
Ed utterly disrcgnricd her question,
Catching sight OF the telephone, whlcl,
stood upon stand In the fur corner
OF the room. he run TO II. and. snntch.
Ing the receiver, violently osclllnted
the hook.
Don't do thntl' Alnlre cried. fol.
lowing him. "wnit! 1t mustn't re,
out"
"iIcllol Give me the Lewis rnnch-
quick-i'vc forgotten the number
With his free hnnd Ed held his wife
NJ distance, muttcring hnrshly: "Gc,
nwny now' know whnt I'm doing
Get nwny-d-n youi" lie ilung
Alnirc from him MS she tried to snatch
the instrument out OF his hands.
ED" she cried. "Arc you out Of
your mindf You mustn't"
Their voices were raised now. heed
less OF the two people ip Mo adjoining
room.
Keep your hands IN. tell you
Hello IN TINT you. Tndf Again Au.
tin thrust his wife violently aside
Listen Eve just lcnrncd TINT Dny,
Inv nnd old man Jones hive crossed
over To dig up Rlcardo's body. Yes