Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-06-08
Continued from last week. J.
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you remember our last talk? Well,
them Mexicans have got me ratified.
I've been trying everywhere to locate
you. If you hadn't come home I'd have
gone to the prosecuting attorney, OF
somebody
"Then you've learned something
more?"
Phil nodded, and his sallow face
puckered with apprehension. "Rosa
Morales has been to see me regular"
Dave passed an uncertain hand over
his forehead. I'm not in very good
shape to tackle a new proposition, but
what is it?'
We've got to get Mrs. Austin away
from here
eve? Why?'''
IF we don't they'll steal her."
"Steal herr" Dawes amazement was
patent. "Are you crazyY'
Sometimes think I am, but I've
pumped that Morales girl dry, and
can't figure anything else out of what
she tells me. Her and Jose expect to
make lump Of quick money, jump to
Mexico, get married, and live happy
ever after. Take it from me, it's Mrs.
Austin they aim to cash in on"
"Why-the IDEAS ridiculousl"
maybe it is and maybe it amt" the
fortune-teller persisted. More than
one rich Mexican has been grabbed
and held for ransom along this river !;
yes, and Americans, too, if you can
believe the stories. Anything goes in
that country over there"
''You think Jose is planning to kid
nap her? Nonsense One man couldn't
do such thing"
Il didn't say he COULD" Phil de-
Tended himself, sulkily. Remember,
told you there was somebody back
of him."
eyes, remember, but you didn't
know exactly who"
"Well, / don't exactly know yet. ]
thought maybe you might tell me-"
There was brief silence, during
which Dave stood ,frowning. Then he
appeared to shake himself free from
Phil's suggestions.
It's too utterly preposterous. Mrs.
Austin has no enemies she's person
of Importance. Il by any chance she
disappeared"
"Shes done that very little thing"
Strange declared.
"What?"
shes appeared-anyhow, she's
gone. Yesterday when / saw you was
laid up and couldn't help me, I phoned
her ranch; somebody answered In
Spanish, and from what could make
out they don't know where she is"
Dave wondered if he had understood
Strange Alright, or if this could be a
trick of his own tired brain. Choosing
his words carefully, he said: do you
mean to tell me that she's missing and
they haven't given an alarm? I reckon
you didn't understand the message, did
your"
Strange shrugged. Maybe I didn't.
Suppose you try. You sabe the lingo"
Dave went to the telephone, leaving
Phil to wait. When he emerged from
the house few moments later, it was
with queer, set look upon his face.
Il got em," he said. "She's gone
left three days ago.
where did she goY'
"They wouldn't tell me-
sThey wouldn't?" Strange looked
up sharply.
'Wouldn't or couldn't" The men
eyed each other silently; then Phil in
CURED:
'Well, what do you make of it?"
81 don't know. She wasn't kidnapped,
that's a cinch, for Dolores went with
her. think we're exciting ourselves
unduly."
The little fortune-teller broke out
excitedly: Eyes we are! Why do you
suppose I've been playing that Morales
crooked going on. Don't / know
Didn't wise you three weeks ago that
something like this was coming off?r
It was plain that Phil put complete
faith In his powers of divination, and
at this moment his earnestness carried
certain degree Of conviction. Dave
made On effort to clear his tired brain.
Every WELL" he said. 'If you're so
sure, I'll go to Las Palmas. I'll find
out all about 1t, and where she went.
If anybody has dared to" He drew
a deep breath and his listlessness van
ished; his eyes cleaned with a hint of
their customary fire: II reckon I've
got one punch left in me-" He turned
and strobe to his room.
AS Dave changed into his service
clothes he was surprised to feel a new
vigor In his limbs and a new strength
Of purpose In his mind. When he stood
In his old boots and felt the familiar
drag Of his cartridge-belt, when he
tested his free muscles, he realized
that lie was another man. Even yet
he could not put much faith In Phil
Strange's. words-nevertheless there
might be danger threatening Alaire:
aud if so, it was time to act.
Phil watched his friend saddle the
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