Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-03-10

me-"
"She is very nice woman" COM
isacently declared the daughter; but
her father snort'd loudly.
II wouldn't associate with such n
critter."
"My! But you're proud"
ut amt that" Blaze defended him
self. 81 know her husband, and he's
n bad hombre. He backed me up
against a waterin' trough and told my
fortune yesterday. He said I'd be
married twice and have many children.
He said loved widows, and unless !
was poisoned by dark lady I'd live
to be eighty years old. If I'd had a gun
on me, I'd have busted him. for same
Of the things he said. "A dark LADY,
That's his wife. l give you warnin',
| Paloma, don't you ask her to stay for
meals. People like them are danger
GUS"
you're too silly!" said Paloma.
"Nobody believes in such things"
'They don't, Ell? Well, hes got
| all Jonesvllle walkin' around ladders,
and spittin' through crossed fingers,
and countin' the spots on their nails.
He interprets their dreams and locates
'lost articles"
Maybe he can tell me where to find
AdolfO Urbina?" Dave suggested
| ''Humph! If he can't, Tad Lewis
! can. Say. Dave. this case of yours
has stirred up lot of feelin' 'gainst
Tad. The prosecutin' attorney says
he'll sure cinch him and Urbina both.
One Of Lewis men got on a bender
the, other night and declared Adolfo
would never come to trial."
'What did he mean?"
ut may have been mescal talk, but
witnesses sometimes have way OF
dlsappearn'. l wouldn't put anything
past that gang"
Not long after breakfast Don Ricar-
do Guzman appeared at the Jones
house and warmly greeted his two
friends. To Dave he explained:
Last night came to town. and this
morning | heard you had returned SO
rode out at once. You were unsuc-
cessfu?"
"Our man never went to Pueblo"
! "EXactly. thought as much. How
ever 60 to meet Blanco today, and
perhaps l shall discover something"
"What takes you over there?" Blaze
Inquired.
"Wait until tell you. Senior David,
here, brings me good fortune at every
turn. He honors my poor, thirsty
rancho with Il visit and brings glori-
Gus rain; then he destroys my enemies
ike thunderbolt. No sooner Is this
done than receive from the Federals
offer for fifty Of my best horses.
Caramba! Such price, too. They
are in a great hurry, which looks rs
| If they expected an attack from the
Cnndeleristas at Matamoros. l hope
so. God grant these traitors are de-
| feated Anyhow. the horses have gone,
and today l go to get my money in
gold"
"Whos going with you?" asked Law.
Ricardo shrugged. "Nobody. There
Is no danger"
Blaze shook his head. "They know
you are q red-hot rebel. / wouldn't
trust them"
"They know. also, that / am an
American. like you gentlemen" proud
| ly asserted Guzman. THAT makes
! difference. | supported the Liberator
God rest his soul and l secretly
assist those who fight his assassins,
but so does everybody else. am re-
ceiving n fine price for those horses,
so 1t is worth a little risk. Now, Sc
nor" he addressed himself to the
Ranger, II have brought you little
present. Day and night my boys and
l have worked upon it, for we know
the good heart you have. 1t was fin
ished yesterday. See!' Ricardo I'M
wrapped a bundle he had fetched, dis
playing magnificent bride of plait-
ed horsehair. 1t was cunningly
wrought, and lavishly decorated with
silver fittings. "You recognize those
hairs?" he queried. "They came from
the name and tail of your bonita"
"Bessie Belief" Law accepted the
handsome token, then held out his
hand to the Mexican. "Thnt was
mighty fine of you, Ricardo. l. You
couldn't have pleased me more. Worc
going to be friends"
Guzman's delight was keen, his
grizzled face beamed, and he showed
his white teeth in smile. "Say no
more. What is mine ID yours--my
house, my cattle, my right hand.
and my sons will serve you, and you
must come often to see us. Now l
must CO." He shook hands heartily
and rede away, waving his hat.
"There's good Greaser," Blaze said
with conviction, and Dave agreed feel.
ingly.
"Yes! I'd about do anything for
him, after this" Then he took the
bride In for pnlomn 10 admire.