The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1917-07-19

CHAPTER xvIi.-Continued.

eyed, stole into the room, and Dawes
cheerful greeting awoke Mrs. Strange
with u jerk.
$50! You're feeling better. aren't
your" the latter woman cried, heartily.
"Yes. How did | get here?" Dave
asked. u u have been right sick
and troublesome to you"
Paloma smiled and nodded. "Sick I!
Why, Dave, you frightened us nearly to
death! You were clear out of your
head"
Mrs. Strange broke into his frown-
Ing meditation to ask. "How long since
you had n nights sleep?'
Il Oh. the prosecutor at Browns
willie amt let me alone a minute for a
week"
lymph! I thought 50. You puzzled
that pill-rollcr, but doctors don't know
anything, anyhow. Why, he wanted to
wake you up to find out what allied
you! / threatened TO scald him IL he
did"
II seem to remember talking a good
deal" Dave ventured. ~ reckon L
said a lot of foolish things" He caught
the look that passed between his
nurses and Its Significance distressed
him.
Mrs. Strange continued: THAT'S
how we guessed what your trouble
was, and that's why / ,couldn't let that
fool doctor disturb you. Now that
you've had n sleep and are all right
again, Tn going home and change my
clothes. ! haven't had them of for
two nights"
1.-Two nights !" Dave stared In be
wilderment. Then he lamely apollo
gizcd for the trouble he hnd caused,
and tried to thank the women for their
Kindness.
He was shaky when. an hour later.
ne came downstairs for breakfast; but
otherwise he felt better than for many
days and Blaze's open delight at see
ing him did him as much good as the
food he ate
DAY" spent part Of the morning sun
ming himself on the porch. reading the
papers with their exciting news. Dur
ing his absence Paloina had done her
best to spoil MontroSa. and among 9TH
err marks of favor had allowed her free
run of th" yard, where the shade was
cool aud the grass fine, and where de-
clio tidbits were To be had from the
kitchen for the mere asking. In con.
sequence, Dave did not remain there
long until he was discovered. Mont
rosu signaled, then trotted toward him
with ears and tail lifted. Her delight
was open and eXtravagant; her well
come was as enthusiastic as n horse
could make It. Gone were her coquetry
and airs she nosed and nibbled Dave;
sh. rubbed and rooted him with the
violence of n battering-ram. and per-
mitted him to hug her and murmur
words of love into her velvet ears. She
snapped confidence for confidence,
too; and then, when he finally walked
back toward the house. she followed
closely. as II fearful that he might
again desert her.
Phil Strange met the lovers as they
turned the corner of the porch, and
warmly shook Dawes hand. ''Teeny--
my wife-told me you was better" he
began. $50 ! beat II u here. I hung
around all day yesterday, waiting to
see you, but you was batty."
81 was pretty sick" Dave acknowl-
edged. Mrs. Strange was mighty kind
to me-"
"Sick people get her goat. She's got
Il way with 'em and with animals, too.
Why. Rajah. the big python with II
show. took sick n year. and he'd have
died sure only for her. Same with u
lot of the other animals. She knows
more'n any vet | ever saw"
"Pcrhaps | needed II veterinary In
stead of u Doctor" Dave smiled. II
guess I've got some horse blood In me.
See !" Montrosa had thrust her head
under his arm and was waiting for
him to scratch her ears.
Well, ] brought you some mall"
Strange fumbled in his pocket for a
small bundle OF letters, explaining:
"Blnze gave me these for you AS !
passed the post Office"
Dave took the letters with n word OF
thanks. and thrust them carclessly in
tn his pocket. What seems To be the
trouble?" ne inquired.
you remember our last talk? Well,
them MeXicanS have got me ratified.
I've been trying everywhere to locate
you. II you hadn't corne home I'd have
gone To the prosecuting attorney, or
somebody"
"rhcn you've learned something
more?"
Phil nodded, and his sallow face
prckered with apprehension. Rosa
Morales has been to see me regular"
Dave passed an uncertain hand over
his forehead. I'm not In very good
shape To tackle II new proposition, but
what Is IT."
"We've got to get Mrs. Austin away
from here"
I'VE? Whyf-
III we don't they'll steal her"
"Steal herT"' Dawes amazement was
patent. "Are you crazy7"