Mountain Home Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1915-1946, 1917-10-13

meeting Austin. Luis Longorio was
the sort Of man who enjoys strained
situation, and one who shows to the
best advantage under adverse condi-
tons. Accordingly, Eds arrival, in
stead of Fastening his departure, mere
ly served to prolong his stay.
1t was growing late now, and Palo-
ma was frantic. Profiting by her first
opportunity, she whispered to Alaire,
For Gods sake, send him away"
Alaire's eyes were dark with excite
ment. "Yes," said she. "Talk to him,
and give me a chance to have word
alone with Ed"
The opportunity came when Austin
went into the dining room for drink.
Alaire excused herself to follow him.
When they were out of sight and hear
ing, her husband turned upon her with
an ugly frown.
whats that greaser doing hereY
he asked roughly.
"He called to pay his respects. You
must get him away"
Il mustW Ed glowered at her.
"Why don't you? You got him here
in my absence. Now that I'm home,
you want me to get rid Of him, Ell?
What's the idea?"
Don't be silly. I didn't know he
was coming and-he must be crazy to
risk such thing"
"Crazy?" Eds lip curled. "He isn't
crazy. l suppose he couldn't stay away
any longer. BY heaven, Alaire---"
Alaire checked this outburst with
a sharp exclamation: "Don't make a
scene! Don't you understand he holds
over fifty thousand dollars worth of
La Feria cattle? Don't you understand
we can't antagonlze him?"
SIS that what he came to see you
about?"
eyes" She bit her lip. "I'll explain
everything, but-you must help me
send him back, right away" CHANGING
at the clock, Alaire saw that it was
drawing on toward midnight; with
quick decision she seized her husband
by the arm, explaining feverishly
"There is something big going on to-
night. Ed! Longorio brought a guard
of soldiers with him, and left them at
our pumphouse. Well, it so happens
that Blaze Jones and Mr.. Law have
gone to the Romero cemetery to get
Guzman's body"
"Whatl" Austin's red face paled,
his eyes bulged.
Eyes. That's why Paloma Is here.
They crossed at our pumping station,
and they'll be back at any time, now.
If they encounter Longorio's men
You understand"
"Ricardo Guzman's body!" Austin |
wet his lips and swallowed with diff
Guilty. "Why-do they want his body2"
ITO prove that he is really dead
lnd-to prove who killed him." Not |
ng the effect Of these words, Alaire
,ried sharply, "What's the matter,
EdT'
But Austin momentarily was beyond |
speech. The decanter from which he
vas trying to pour himself a drink
played musical tattoo upon his glass;
lis face had become ashen and paSty.
"How many men has he got?" Aus
in nodded In the direction Of the front
Dom.
81 don't know. Probably four or five.
What Hils your"
Something in her husbands inexpli-
able agitation, something In the hunt
ID, desperate way In which his eyes
we're running over the room, alarmed
Naire.
Ed utterly disregarded her question.
sight of the telephone, which
TODD upon stand In the far corner
t the room, he ran to it, and, snatch
ng the receiver, violently osclllated
he hook.
Don't do that!' Alaire cried, fol-
owing him. wait! 1t mustn't get
ut"
"Hellol Give me the Lewis ranch
uick-Ive forgotten the number"
With his free hand Ed held his wife
t distance, muttering harshly: Get
way now l know what I'm doing.
let away--d-n you'll" He flung
llaire from him as she tried to snatch
he instrument out of his hands.
ed she cried. "Are YOU ont of
our mind? You mustn't"
Their voices were raised now, heed.
ess of the two people in the adjoining
DOM.
Keep your hands off, l tell you.
Iellol Is that you, Tad?" Again Aus
N thrust his wife violently aside.
Listenl I've just learned that Dave f
aw and old man Jones have crossed