Mountain Home Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1915-1946, 1917-11-10

| pointment as she knew that he was iI
town attending court. Yet she tolC
herself that it was brave of him tC
obey her injunctiOns so literally and tC
leave her unembarrassed by his pres
ence at this particular time. 1t in
splred her to be equally brave and to
wait patiently for the day when she
could welcome him with clean hands
and soul unashamed.
In the midst of Alaire's uncertainty
of mind it gratified her to realize that
Dave alone would know of her where
abouts. She wondered If he would
come to see her. He was a reckless,
headstrong lover, and his desires were
all too likely to overcome his DELHI
crate resolves. She rather hoped that
In spite of his promise he would ven
ture to cross the border so that she
could see and be near him, If only for
day or for an hour. The possibility
frightened and yet pleased her. The
conventional woman within her
frowned, but her outlaw heart beat
fast at the thought.
Alaire did not explain her plans even
to Dolores, but when her preparations
were complete she took the Mexican
woman with her, and during Eds abb
sence slipped away from the ranch
Boarding the train at Jonesvilie, she
was in Pueblo that night.
1t seemed at last that war with
Mexico was imminent. After months
of uncertainty the question had come
to issue, and that lowering cloud which
had hung above the horizon took omi-
nous shape and size. Ellsworth awoke
one morning to learn that an ultima
tum had gone forth to President Po-
tosi; that the Atlantic fleet had been
ordered south; and that marines were
being rushed aboard transports pend
ing a general army mobilization. 1t
looked as if the United States had
finally risen in wrath, and as if moth
ing less than miracle could now avert
the long-expected conflict.
Blaze Jones took the San Antonio
paper out upon the porch and COM
posed himself in the hammock to read
the latest war news. Invasion Troops
The Stars and Stripes Those were
words that stirred Jones deeply and
caused him to neglect his work. Now
that his country had fully awakened
to the necessity of war with Mexico
"a necessity he had long felt-he was
fired with the loftiest patriotism and
youthful eagerness to enlist. Blaze
realized that he was old and fat and
but what of that? He
could fight. Fighting, in fact, had
been one of his earliest accomplish
ments, and he prided himself upon
knowing as much about 1t as any
man could learn. He believed in fight
ng both as a principle and as an ex-
erclse; in fact, he attributed his good
health to his various reighborly "un-
Dleasantnesses," and he had more than |
,nce argued that no great fighter ever |
lied of sluggish liver or of any one |
If the other ills that beset sedentary, |
'eace-loving people. Nations were
Ike men-too much ease made them
labby. And Blaze had his own ideas
If strategy, too. So during the perusal
# his paper he bemoaned the mis-
axes his government was making.
Why waste time with ultimatums? he
rgued to himself. He had never done
%. Experience had taught him that
he way to win battle was to beat
he other fellow to the draw; hence
his diplomatic ptocrastination filled
lin with Impotence. 1t seemed al
most reasonable to one of Blaze's in
ense patriotism.
He was engaged In laying out q plan
# campaign for the United States
when he became conscious of voices
ehind him, and realized that for some
line Paloma had been entertaining q
aller in the front room. Their con-
ersation had not disturbed him at
rst, but now an occasional word or
entence forced its meaning through
is preoccupation, and he found him.
elf listening.
Paloma's visitor was woman, and
S Blaze hardened to her voice, he felt
is heart sink. 1t was Mrs. Strange.
The was here again. With difficulty
'laze conquered an impulse to flee,
or she was recounting a story all too
amiliar to him.
"Why, 1t seemed as If the whole city a"
+ Galveston was there, and yet no.
ody offered to help us" the dress
1aker was saying. phil was per-
ect hero, for the ruflian was twice
is size. Oh, 1t was an awful fight
hate to think of It."
what made him pinch your"
'aloma inquired.
Heaven only knows. Some men are
readful that way. Why, he left
lack-and-blue mark /"
Blaze broke into a cold sweat and
ursed feebly under his breath.
lie wasn't drunk, either. He was
asst naturally depraved. You could
ee it In his face"
"How did you escape?"
Well, I'll tell you. We chased him
p across the boulevard and in among ,
ne tents, and then" Mrs. Strange |
'wered her voice until only MUIR
lur reached the listening man. A mo-
lent, then both women burst into {