The Lamar register., 1917-08-01
c.aruif D hss1ss > frsftss

don't know now he came TO be mere,
unless It is rather strange"
Dave shot swift, interrogatory
glance at Panflo's travelling compan-
ion, but Anto's face was stony, his
black eyes were fixed upon the fire.
With an abrupt gesture Law flung
aside the contents Of his cup and strobe
to Panfilo's horse, which stood defect
edly with reins hanging.
where are you-gOing?" Alaire rose
nervously.
1t was nearly dark now; only the
crest of the ridges were plain against
the luminous sky; in the brushy bot
tom of the arroyo the shadows were
deep. Alaire had no wish to be left
alone with the prisoner.
With bride rein and carbine in his
left hand, the ranger halted, then,
STOPPING for Anto's discarded cartridge
belt, he looped it over his saddle-horn.
He vaulted easily into the seat, say
ing:
Il hid that mare pretty well. Your
man may not be able to find her" Then
he turned his borrowed horses head
toward the brush.
Anto had squatted motionless until
this moment; he had not even turned
his eyes; but now, without the slight
est warning, he uttered Il loud call.
1t might have served equally well as a
summons or as an alarm, but II
changed the rangers suspicious into
certainty. Dave uttered an angry ex-
clamation, then to the startled woman
he cried:
Watch this mani He can't hurt
you, for I've got his shells" To his
prisoner he snid, shu. ply: stay where
you urr, Don't muve"' The next in
g. ur h. H.1 ..".H .utn the brush on
uHhHz spurrng
the tired gray pony into vigorous ac-
ton.
1t was an uncomfortable situation In
which Alalre now found herself. Law
was too suspicious, she murmured to
herself; he was needlessly melodra-
matte; she felt exceedingly i'll at ease
as the pony's hoOf-beats grew fainter.
She was startled by hearing other hoof-
beats now their drumming came faint
but unmistakable. Yes, there were two
horses racing down the arroyo. Anto,
the fugitive, rose to his feet and stared
into the dusk.
"Sit down ~ Alaire ordered, sharp
ly. He obeyed, muttering beneath his
breath, but his head was turned as If
In an effort to follow the sounds Of the
pursuit.
Next came the distant rattle of
loosened stones-evldenly one horse
was being urged toward the open high
ground-then the peaceful quiet eve
ming was split by the report of Laws
thirty-thlrty. Another shot followed,
and then a third. Both Alaire and her
prisoner were on their feet, the woman
shaking in every limb, the Mexican
straining his eyes into the gloom and
listening intently.
Alaire had begun to feel the strain of
the situation and was trying TO decide
what next TO do. when David Law
came riding out Of the twilight. He
was astrlde the gray; behind him at
the end Of lariat was Bessie Belle.
and her saddle was empty.
Mrs. Austin uttered sharp cry.
Law dismounted and strobe to the
prisoner. His face was black with
fury; he seemed gigantic in his rage.
without word he raised his right
hand and cufred the Mexican to his
knees. Then he leaped upon him, as
n dog might pounce upon a rabbit
rolled him to his face, and twisted the
fellows arm into the small Of his back.
Anto cursed, he struggled, but he was
like a child in the rangers grasp. Law
knelt upon him, and with jerk of his
riata secured the fellows wrists; ris-
ing, he set the knot with another heave
that dragged the prisoner to his knees.
Next he booted Anto to his feet.
'Tve a notion to bend a gun over
your head" Law growled. Clever lit
tie game, wasn't itl"
'where-? Did you-lin him?" the
woman gasped.
Alaire had never beheld such a
demoniac expression as Law turned
upon her. The mans face was con
torted, his eyes were blazing insanely,
his chest was heaving, and for an In
stant he seemed to include her In his
anger. Ignoring her inquiry, he went
to his mare and ran his shaking hands
over her as If in search Of an injury;
his questioning palms covered every
inch of gllstening hide from forelock
to withers, from shoulder to hoOf, and
under cover of this task he regained In