The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-07-28

ture to cross the border so that she
could see and be near him, if only for
a day or for an hour. The possibility
and yet pleased her. The
conventional woman within her
frowned, but her outlaw heart beat
fast at the thought
Alaire did not explain her plans even
to Dolores, but when her preparations
woman with her, and during Eds abb
sence slipped away from the ranch.
Boarding the train at JOnesviIIe, she
was in Pueblo that night.
1t seemed at last that war with
Mexico was imminent. After months
of uncertainty the question had come
to issue, and that lowering cloud which
had hung above the horizon took omi-
nous shape and size. Ellsworth awoke
one morning to learn that an ultima
tum had gone forth TO President Pc
tosi; that the Atlantic feet had been
ordered south; and that marines we're
being rushed aboard transports pend
ing a general army mobilization. 1t
looked as if the United States had
finally risen in wrath, and as if moth
ing less than miracle could now avert
the lOng-expected conflict.
Blaze Jones took the San Antonio
paper out upon the porch and COM
posed himself in the hammock to read
the latest war news. Invasion! Troops!
The Stars and Stripes! Those were
words that stirred Jones deeply and
caused him to neglect his work. Now
no no fT11I w Cd
to the necessity of a war with Mexico
"a necessity he had long felt-he was
fired with the Hottest patriotism and a
youthful eagerness to enlist. Blaze
realized that he was old and fat and
near-sighted; but what of that? He
could fight. Fighting, in fact, had
been one of his earliest accomplish
ments, and he prided himself upon
knowing as much about it as any
man could learn. He believed in fight
ing both as a principle and as an ex-
ercise; in fact, he attributed his good
health to his various neighborly ''un-
pleasantnesses," and he had more than
once argued that no great fighter ever
died of q sluggish liver or of any one
of the other ills that beset sedentary,
peace-lOving people. Nations were
like men-tOo much ease made them
fiabby. And Blaze had his own ideas
of strategy, too. So during the perusal
of his paper he bemoaned the mis-
takes his government was making.
Why waste time with ultimatums? he
argued to himself. He had never done
so. Experience had taught him that
the way to win battle was to beat
the other fellow to the draw; hence
this diplomatic representation filed
him with Impotence. 1t seemed al
most reasonable to one OF Blaze's in
tense patriotism.
he was engaged in laying out plan
of campaign for the United States
when he became conscious of voices
behind him, and realized that for some
time Paloma had been entertaining a
caller in the front room. Their con-
versation had not disturbed him at
first, but now an occasional word or
sentence forced its meaning through
his preOccupation, and he found him
self listening.
Paloma's visitor was a woman, and
as Blaze hardened to her voice, he felt
his heart sink. 1t was Mrs. Strange.
She was here again. With difficulty
Blaze conquered an impulse to fee,
for she was recounting a story all too
familiar to him.
why, it seemed as if the whole city
of Galveston was there, and yet no
body offered to help u.s." the dress
maker was saying. "PhiI was a per
feet hero, for the ruffian was twice
his size. Oh, it was an awful fight
hate to think of it."
What made him pinch you?"
Paloma inquired.
Heaven only knows. Some men are
dreadful that way. Why, he left a
black-and-blue mark :"
Blaze broke into a cold sweat and
cursed feebly under his breath.
He wasn't drunk, either. He was
just naturally depraved. You could
see it in his face
How did you escape?"
''Well. I'll tell you. We chased him
up across the boulevard and In among
the tents, and then" Mrs. Strange
muir reached the listening man. A mo-
ment, then both women burst into
shrill, excited laughter, and Blaze him.
self blushed furiously.
This was unbearable! It was bad
enough to have that woman in Jones'
vile, u constant menace to his good
name, but to allow her access to his
own home was unthinkabIe. Sooner
or later they were bound to meet, and
then Paloma would learn the disgrace
full truth-yes. and the whole neigh
bOrhood would likewise know his
shame. In fancy, Blaze saw his rep
utatiOn torn to shreds and himself ex-
posed to the gibes of the people who
Yenerated him. He would become a
scandal among men, an offense TO re-
spectacle women; children would shun
him. Blaze could not bear to think
of the consequences, for he was very
fond of the women and children of
Jonesyille. He rose from his ham
mock and tiptoed down the porch into
the kitchen. from which point Of Sc
curity he called loudly for his daugh-
ter.
Alarmed at his tone, PaIoma came
running. What is the matter?' she