The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1917-05-10

not Imagine why n person OF Ed Aus.
tins standing should behave in this
extraordinary manner, unless, perhaps,
he was drunk.
"Well, I saw the calves, and I left
h fellow that was branding them
with Il wet saddle blanket over his
face"
"Eh? What's that?" Austin start
ed. and Gonzalez uttered Il smOthered
exclamation. You killed him? He's
dead?"
Dead enough TO skin. I caught him
with his irons In the fire and the calves
necked up in your pasture. Now /
want his companero."
"I-hope you don't think we know
anything about him." Ed protested.
"Whero's that man on the sorrel
horseT
Austin turned away with n shrug.
"You rode In with him." Dave per-
sisted.
Ed wheeled quickly. "How do you
know I did,"
"Your boy saw you"
The ranchman's voice was harsh as
he said: Look here, my friend. you're
on the wrong track. The fellow I was
with had nothing to do with this af-
fair. Would you know your man? Did
you get n look at hlm?"
"No. But l reckon Don Ricardo
could tell his horse"
"Humph !" Austin grunted, disagree
ably. $50 just for that you come
providing around threatening my help,
ch? Trying to frame up a case, may
be? Well, II don't go. l was u with
one OF Tad Lewis men"
"what was his name?" Dave man.
aged to inquire.
"Urbina. He had n sorrel under him,
but there are thousands of sorrel
h~orses.'
"What time did you meet him?"
~ met him ut noon, and-Ive been
with him ever since. So you see you're
wrong. I presume your man doubled
back and Is laughing ut you"
Laws first bewilderment had given
place to n black rage; for the moment
he was In danger Of dIsregarding the
reason for "Young Eds" incivllity and
giving rein to his passion, but he
checked himself In time.
"Would you mind telling me what
you and this Urbina were doingT"
Austin laughed mockingly. "That's
my business" said he.
Dave moistened his lips. Tie hitchet
his shoulders ~nervously. He was aston
ished ut his own ~self-control, though
the certainty that Austin was drunk
helped him to steady himself. Never
theless, he dared not trust himself I,
speak.
Constituting this silence as an nc
acknowledgement Of defeat, Ed turned e
go. Some tardy sense Of duty, how
ever, prompted him to fling back, care
lessly:
~ suppose you've come n good ways
II you're hungry, Benlto Will show yol
the way to the kitchen" Then h
walked away Into the darkness, fol
lowed by the shocked gaze OF hi,
range boss.
Benlto reused himself from hi
Amusement to say, warmly: Isl, com
padre. You will enjoy u cup of no
coffee"
But Law ground mi fcrcely: "Tn
not used to kitchen hand-ouo. reck
on l can chew my bride reins II | &c
too hungry" Walking to his horse, h,
vaulted into the saddle.
Benito laid u hand upon his thlgl
and apologizcd. "Senor Ed Is II s:rang
man. lie Is often like this lately. Yol
understand me? VIII you come to IN,
house for SUPERB
"Thank you. but I think I'll ride OF
r to Tad Lewis and see Urbina."
At this the Mexican shook his hea,
as ir apprehensive of the result, but h,
t said nothing more.
] Law hesitated rs he was about (
$ spur out of the yard. "By the way,
" he %ventured, "you needn't mention thi
/, to Mrs. Austin"
II "She IL not here" Gonzalez told hin
"She has gone to La Ferla to see abou
! her affairs. She would not permit q
y this occurrence II she were at HON,
She Is a very fine lady"
ayes. Good night, Benito."
Good night, senior" -