The Huttig news., 1917-04-07
my way.

gun their meal, she climbed the bank of the arroyo ostensbly to find a cool spot. Having succeeded, she called 10 Dave:
 There is nice breeze up here"
 The Rsnger's face set; rising slow ly, he climbed the bank after her. When they stood face to face in the shade of gnarly oak tree. Alaire asked him point-blank
 "Where is Pantilo Sanchez?"
 Dave met her eyes squarely: his 1wn were cold and hard. Hes where he dropped at my second shot" said he.
 He could hear his companions sharp inhalation. He did not finch ut the look she turned upon him.
 "He was practically unarmed What do you call-such an act?"
 Dave's lips slowly whitened his face became stony. He felt himself pitt lessly condemned.
 "Why didn't you tell me al the time?' she asked. "Why didn't you report it?"
 "Ill report 1t when you give me per mission"
 T.? What-?' She wheeled to face him..
 Think moment I can't tell half the truth. And if I tell everything, 1t will lead to-gossip.'
 "Ah! I think I understand Mr. Law. you can be insulting
 For the first time the man lost mus cular control of his features; they twitched, and' under their tan his cheeks became sickly yellow.
 "You'ye no right to say that" he told her harshly. You've plumb over stepped yourself, ma'am. and-I reck- on you've formed quite wrong opin- ion. Panfiio had his six-shooter and he used if; he intended to ambush me and release his companion, but I forced his hand; so it ain't what I'd call murder; 1 haven't lost any sleep over it. L."
 You are utterly ruthless"
 "Yes'mt Pm not what you would consider d nice person: the death of Panfilo Sanchez means nothing what ever to me. If you can grasp that fact. you'll see that your own reputation weighed heavier in my mind that the lives of dozen Mexicans-or whites, for that natter
 ''I go anywhere, everywhere. No one has ever had the effrontery to ques- ton my actions,' Alaire told him. stiffly.
 And I don't aim te give 'em Il chance" Dave was stubborn.
 There was another interval of si- lence.
 You heard what Jose said. What are you going to do?"
 Dave made gesture of indiffer- ence. "It doesn't greatly matter. HI tell him the truth, perhaps. You might warn him against any foolishness. Jose has some sense.'
 The woman looked up curiouslv. Don't you know how to be afraid ? Haven't you any fear?" she asked.
 Dave's gray eyes were steady as he answered: "Yes'm! I'm afraid this thing Is going to spoil our friendship I've been desperately afraid. all along. that 1 might have hurt your reputa- tion. Even now I'm afraid on your account. to make public Panfilo San chez's death. Yes'm, I know what it is to be afraid"
 It became evident to Dave as the afternoon progressed, that they would be very late in arriving at Las Palmas, and he began to fear that his hostess would feel in duty bound to insist upon his spending the night at her home.
 But as if his thoughts Were telepa- thic messages, she did the very thing he feared.
 "We won't be in before midnight" she said. but I'll send you to Jones' vile in the morning"
 Thank you, ma'am-1'll have to go right through
 'I'll get you there in time for busi- ness. We've gained a reputation for iphOSpitableness at Las PalmaS that l want to overcome. Mr. Austin ought to know" she added, about this-mat- ter we were discussing, and l want him to meet you'
 ile il3tS Lave Sdlu, S1loTJy dHu at his tone Alaire looked up.
 "So!' She studied his grim face. And you quarreled?"
 "Td really prefer to go on, ma'am. I'll get to Jonesville somehow"
 "You refuse-to stay under his roof?"
 That's about it."
 I'm sorry She did not ask for further explanation.
 The windows of Las Palmas were black, the house silent, when they arrived at their journeys end; Dolo. res was fretful, and her mistress ached in every bone. When Jose had helped his couhtryWoman into the house, Alaire said;
 If you insist upon going through, you must take the car. You can re- turn it tomorrow"
 "And-about Panflo?' Dave queried.
 "Wait. Perhaps I'll decide what is hast to do in the meantime Good