Mountain Home Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1915-1946, 1917-08-18
Copyright by Harper & Brothers
CHAPTER IV--Continued.


his head. mo, I'm too old to go ram
pagin' after new gods. | amt got tn,
Imagination to raise anything NOR
complicated than a mortgage; but i
l was younger, I'd organize myself W
and do away with that Ed Austin. II
! sure help him to an untimely end, ant
then I'd marry them pecan groves, anC
blooded herds, and drugstore orchards
She certainly is a heart-breakin' de
vice, with her red hair, and red lip:
On
"Father!" Paloma was deeply
shocked.
Complete isolation, of course, Alairt
had found to be impossible even
though her ranch lay far from the tray.
eled roads and her Mexican guards
were not encouraging to visitors. Bust.
ness inevitably brought her into con
tact with a considerable number of
people, and of these the one she saw
most frequently was Judge Ellsworth
Of Brownsville, her attorney.
1t was perhaps a week after Ed had
left for San Antonio that Alalre felt
the need of Ellsworth's counsel, and
sent for him. Ellsworth was kindly
man of fifty-five, with forceful chin
and dropping heavy-lidded eye that
could either blaze or twinkle. Judge
Ellsworth knew more than any four
men In that part of Texas information
had way of seeking him out. He was
a good lawyer, too, and yet his knowl-
edge of human nature he considered
far more important than law. His
mind was like full granary, and every
grain lay where he could put his hand
upon 1t.
He motored out from Brownsville,
and after Kidding himself Of dust, in
sisted upon spending the interval be-
fore dinner in an inspection of Alaire's
latest ranch improvements. Not until
dinner was over did he inquire the rea-
son for his summons.
"It's about La Feria. General Lon
gorio has contiscated my stock" Alaire
told him. II was afraid of this very
thing, and so was preparing to bring
the stock over. Still never thought
they'd actually confscate it."
Hasn't Ed done enough to provoke
contiscation?" asked the judge. II
have 1t pretty straight that he's Civ
ing money to the rebel junta and lend
ing every assistance he can to their
cause"
II didn't know he'd actually done
How madl"
"Yes-for a man with interests in
federal territory. But Ed always does
the wrong thing, you know"
'Then presume this coniscatlon is
In the nature of reprisal. But the
stock Is mine, not Eds. want your
help in taking up the matter with
Ellsworth was pessimistic. at
won't do any good, my DEAR" he said.
'You won't be paid for your cattle"
"Then shall go to La Feria."
"No!' The judge shook his head
decidedly.
''Pve been there hundred times.
The federals have been more than
courteous"
'Longorio has bad reputation. l
strongly advise against your going.
You'd better send some man."
"Whom can 1 send?" asked Alaire.
"Tou know my situation"
The judge considered moment be-
fore replying. II can't go, for I'm
busy In court. You could probably
accomplish more than anybody else, if
Longorio will listen to reason, and,
after all, you are person of such inn
portance that l dare say you'd be safe.
But it will be hard trip, and you
won't know whether you are in rebel
or in federal territory"
swell, people here are asking wheth-
err Texas is in the United States or
Mexico" Alaire said. lightly. "Some-
times | hardly know" After mo-
ment she continued: "Since you know
everything and everybody, wonder If
you ever met David Law?"
Ellsworth nodded.
"Tell me something about him"
He asked me the same thing about
you. Well, l haven't seen much of
Dave since he grew up, he's such a
roamer."
HE said HIS parents were murdered
by the Guadalupes."
Eyes. 1t happened good many
years ago, and certainly they both met
a violent end. / was instrumental in
saving what property Frank Law left,
but 1t didn't last Dave very long. He's
right careless in money matters. Dawes
a fine fellow in some ways-most ways
[ believe, but" The judge lost him
self In fr0wning meditation.
II have never known you to damn a
friend or client with such faint
praise" said Alaire.
'Oh, / don't mean it that way. I'm
almost like one of Dawes kin, and I've
been keenly interested In watching his
traits develop. I'm interested in he