Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-03-05

Law reused himself. With his own
hands he gently removed Bessie Bellies !
saddle, bride and blanket, then he
gave his orders.
I'll take your horse, Ricardo, and
you takc--thnt fellows. Get wagon
and move him to JOnesyil!c."
And you?"
"l'r! going to follsw that man on the
sorrcl."
The Gead mans saddle was left be.
side the body; tcen when the ex-
change of r:ounts had been effected.
and all WAS ready, Law made re-
quest that amazed both father and son.
IF I'm not back by morning | want
you to bury my mare" His voice
broke he turned away his face. "Bury
her deep, Ricardo, so--the coyotes
esn't dig her up; right where she fell.
III be back to see that it's done right.
| Understands"
"Bueno. understand perfectly.
She was pretty horse She was your
bonita, eli? Well, you have n big
heart, senor as a brave man should
have. Everything shall be done us
you wish; give you my hand on It,"
Ricardo reached down and grlpped
Laws palm. awe will name our pas
ture for her, too, because 1t Is plain
you loved her dearly. So, then, until
tomorrow"
Law watched his two friends ride
. away, then, with a miserable ache in
his throat, he mounted and rode off
to pick up the trail of the man on the
sorrcl pony.
The fellow had ridden in the drec-
ton Of Las Palmas, which Dave judged
must be fully twelve miles away, and
when they continued to maintain this
course the Ranger became doubly in
terested. He risked his own interpre-
tation Of the riders intent and pushed
on without pausing to search out the
trail step by step. AT the second gate
the signs Indicated that his man was
little more than an hour ahead of him
The prospect of again seeing the
ruddy-haired mistress of Las Palmas
stirred Law more deeply than he cared
to admit. Nevertheless, he was uncom-
fortably aware that she had hus,
\ band. Not only SO, but the sharp con-
trast In their positions was disagree
able to contemplate; she was unbcliev-
ably rich, and person Of influence in
the state, while he had nothing except
his health, his saddle and his horse
No; no horse now, she was gone.
The mist and an early dusk prevent
ed him from seeing Las Palmas itself
until he was well in among the irri.
gated fields. A few moments later,
when he rode up to the outbuildngs,
he encountered a middle-aged Mexican,
who proved to be Benito Gonzalez the
range boss.
Dave made himself known, and Be
nito answered his questions with ap-
parent honesty. No, he had seen moth
Ing OF a sorrel horse or a strange rider,
! bhi llC iuu just NDlllC III UlluSCtis
Doubtless they could learn more from
Juan, the horse-wrangler, who was
somewhere about.
Juan was finally found. but he
proved strangely recacitrant. He ad-
mitted that he had seen horse of
the description given. Probably 1t be-
longed to some stranger
Dave changed his tactics. "Oiga !" he
said, sternly. "Do you want to go to
jail?" Juan had no such desire. "Thcn
tell the truth. Where is the horse
now?"
Juan insolently declared he didn't
know and didn't care.
"Oh you don't, eh?" Law reached
for the boy. and shook him until he
yelled. "You will make nice little
prisoner. Juanito. and we shall find a
way to make you speak"
Gonzalez was inclined TO resent such
high-handed treatment Of his under
ling, but respect for the Rangers was
deep-rooted, and Juan's behavior was
inexplicable.
At last the horseboy confessed. He
had seen both horse and rider, but
knew neither. Mr.. Austin and the
stranger had arrived together, and the
latter had gone on. That was the
truth.
"Bueno!" Law released his prisoner
who skunk away rubbing his shoulder
: Now, Benito we will find Mr.. Aus.
} TIM"
. A voice answered from the dusk
: HE won't take much finding" and Ed
Austin himself emerged from the stable
I, door. "Well, what do you want?"
;. "You are Mr.. Austin, reckon?"
II am. What d'you mean by nbus
: ing my help?" The master Of Lns Pal
mas approached so near TINT hi
threatening scowl was visible. II dom
allow strangers to prowl around m!
premises.'
Amazed by this hostile greeting, Law
explained In d word the reason for hi
presence.
II don't know anything about you
Z man. Whit d'you want him for, an,
] who arc your"
Dave introduced himself. ~ wan
! him for stealing Guzmnn's calves.
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