Macon beacon., 1917-06-15
"What thpn7'

"What thenf"
Jose significantly patted the gift re-
volver at his hip. This little fellow
will have something to say"
Dave looked him over idly, from
head to heel, then murmured: "You
would do well to 90 slow, compadre.
Pantilo made his own QuArrels."
I'VE were like brothers, and / do
not know Of any Quarrels. But l shall
find out. / ain not given to boasting.
senor, but am devilish bad man In
my way"
Nothing more was said during the
luncheon, but when Alaire had finished
eating and her two employees had be-
gun their meal she climbed the bank
Of the arroyo ostensibly to find cool
spot. Having succeeded, she called t.
Dave:
"There is a nice breeze up here"
The Rangers 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 Panfilo Sanchez"
Dave met her eyes sQuarely; his
own 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 at tho
look she turned upon him.
He was practically unarmed! What
do you call--such an act?'
Dawes lips slowly whitened, his face
became stony. He felt himself pitt
lessly condemned,
"Why didn't you tell me at tho
timer she asked. "Why didn't you
report it?'
"Tll report 1t when you give me per-
mission"
"I-? WHAT" She wheeled to
face him.
"Think moment. can't tell half
the truth. And II I tell everything,
1t will lead to-gossip."
"Ah! l think l 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've 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. Panf1lo had his six-shooter and
he used 1t; he intended to ambush me
and release his companion, but ]
forced his hand; SO 1t amt what I'd
call murder; I haven't lost any sleep
over II. /"
"You are utterly ruthless"
"Yes'ml I'm not what you would
consider nice person; the death of
Panf1lo Sanchez means nothing what.
ever to me. II you can grasp that fact
you'll see that your own reputation
weighed heavier In my mind that the
lives Of a dozen Mexicans-or whites
for that matter
II go anywhere, everywhere. No one
has ever had the effrontery to ques.
tion my actions Alaire told him
stif1y.
"And I don't aim to give 'em O
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. at doesn't greatly matter I'll
tell him the truth, perhaps. You might
warn him against any foollshness
Jose has some sense"
The woman looked up curiously
Don't you know how to be afrnidi
Haven't you any fear?" she asked.
Dawes 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 ! might have hurt your reputa-
ton. Even now I'm afraid, on your
account, to make public Panfllo San
CHEFS death. Yes'm, I know what II
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,