Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1917-06-16

not imagine why a person Of Ed Aus
TINS standing should behave In this
extraordinary manner, unless, perhaps,
he was drunk.
well. l saw the calves, and left
the fellow that was branding them
with a wet saddle blanket over his
face"
"Eh? What's that?" Austin start
ed, and Gonzalez uttered a smothered
exclamation. You killed him? He's
dead?"
Dead enough to skin. caught him
with his irons in the fire and the calves
necked up in your pasture. Now 1
want his cOmpanero."
'I-hope you don't think we know
anything about him." Ed protested.
where's that man on the sorreI
borse?"
Austin turned away with a shrug.
you rode in with him." Dave per
sisted.
Ed wheeled quickly. "How do you
know I did?"
your boy saw you"
The ranchman's voice was harsh as
he said: Look here, my friea1 you're
on the wrong track. The fellow was
with had nothing to do with this Of
fair. Would you know your man? Did
you get a look at him?"
mo. But I reckon Don Ricardo
could tell his horse"
"Humph!" Austin grunted, disagree
ably. $50 just for that you come
proving around threatening my help
eh? Trying to frame up case, may
be? Wei, 1t don't go. was out with
one of Tad Lewis men"
"What was his name?" Dave man
aged to inquire.
"Urbina. He had a sorrel under him.
but there are thousands of sorrel
horses"
What time did you meet hlm?"
Il met him at noon, and-I've been
with him ever since. So you see you're
wrong. | presume your man doubled
back and is laughing at you"
Laws first bewilderment had given
place to a black rage; for the moment
he was in danger of disregardtng the
reason for Young Eds" inciyllity and
giving rein to his passion, but he
checked himself in time.
would you mind telling ne what
you and this Urbina were doing?"
Austin laughed mockingly. That's
my business" said he
Dave moistened his lips. He hitched
his shoulders nervously. He was aston
lshed at his own self-control. though
the certainty that Austin was drunk
helped him to steady himself. Never
theless. he dared not trust himself to
speak.
Constituting this silence as an &C.
acknowledgement of defeat, Ed turned to
&C. Some tardy sense OF duty, how
ever, prompted him to fling back, care
lessly:
Il suppose you've come a good ways.
If you're hungry, Benlto will show you
the way to the kitchen" Then he
walked away into the darkness, fol-
lowed by the shocked gaze Of his
range boss.
Benito reused himself from his
amazenent to say, warmly: Isl, com
padre. You viii enjoy a cup of hot
coffee"
But Law ground out fiercely: I'm
not used to kitchen handouts. 1 reck-
on can chew my bride reins If 1 get
too hungry" Walking to his horse. he
vaulted into the saddle
Benito laid a hand upon his thigh
and apologized. "Senor Ed is "a strange
man. He is often Ike this lately. You
understand me? VIII you coTue to my
house for support"
Thank you. but I think I'll ride on
to Tad Lewis and see Urbina"
At this the Mexican shook his head
as ir apprehensive Of the result, but he
said nothing more.
Law hesitated 8 he was about to
spur out Of tie yard. by the way"
he ventured. you needn't mention this
to Mrs. Austin"
"She is not here" Gonzalez told him
'-S5he has goue to La Feria to see about
her affairs. She would not permit OF
this occurrence If she wero at home.
She is a very the lady"
Yes. Good night. Beni;o"
'COcd night senior"