Macon beacon., 1917-07-13
CHAPTER XIV.
Superstitlons and Certalntles.


The sensation caused by Ricardo |
GuZman's disappearance was as moth
ing to that which followed the recovery |
of his body. Whatever the facts of
the rescue, it was generally recognized
that the result had been to bring on
a crisis in the affairs Of the two na-
tions. Strong influences, however,
were ut work to prevent that very out
come for which the people of Texas
prayed. During the delay there arose
a report that Ricardo Guzman had
borne an evil reputation, and that he
had been so actively associated with
the rebel cause as to warrant punish
ment by the federal government. More
over, legal question as to his Amerl-
can citizenship was raised-a question
which seemed to have important bear.
ing upon the case.
Public interest Is short-llved; few
living men can hold 1t more than day
or two, and 1t reckons no dead man
worthy of more than an obituary no
tice Thus in the course of time the
Guzman incident was in fair way
of being officially forgotten and for
given.
But there were several persons who
felt intense relief at the course events
had taken, and among these was Alalre
Austin. In the days following that
midnight expedition she had had ample
time in which to mediate upon her
husbands actions. 1t seemed probable
that he had fled to San Antonio, there
to remain until interest in the Guzman
matter had abated.
Alaire telephoned Dave Law, argu-
ing to herself that she must learn
more about her husbands connection
with the Lewis gang. Dave arrived
even sooner than she had expected.
She made him dine with her, and they
spent the evening on the dim-lt gal
lery. In the course Of their conyer-
satlOn Alare discovered that Dave, too,
had q hidden side Of his nature; that
he possessed an Imagination, and with
1t q quaint, whimsical, exploratory turn
Of mind which enabled him to talk
interestedly Of many things and many
places. On this particular evening he
was anything but the man Of iron she
had known--untll she ventured to
speak Of Ed. Then he closed up like
a trap. He was almost gruif in his
refusal to say a word about her hus-
band.
Because of Eds appropriation Of the
ranch cash, Alaire found it necessary
a few days later to 90 to the bank
and, feeling the need of exercise, she
rode her horse MontrOse. When hel
errands had been attended to, she sud
S denly decided to call on Paloma Jones
o 1t was years since she had voluntarily
e done such a thing; the very impulse
q surprised her.
: Paloma, 1t happened was undergoing
e that peculiar form Of feminine torture
b known as "ftting;" but insecurely
e basted, pinned and tucked as she was
/ she came flying down to the gate tc
q meet her visitor.
Alaire was introduced to Mrs
y Strange, the dressmaker, large, acid
= ulOuS brunette, with q mouthful OI
q pins; and then, when Paloma had CIV
e en- herself once more into the seam
0 stress hands, the two friends gosslped
y II don't know what dad will SAL
n when he gets the bill for thest
r dresses" Paloma confessed.
:. "Your father Is q mighty queel
man." Mrs. Strange observed. I"
l. haven't so much as laid eyes on him.
d Paloma nodded. "Yes. And he's get
It ting more peculiar all the time; I can
j. make out what ais him.
s "Where Is he now?' asked Alaire.