The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1917-07-19
CHAPTER xVlI.-continued.

= .sA /
it,
A little later Palomn. pale and heavy
eyed. stole into the room. and Dawes
cheerful greeting awoke Mrs. Strange
with a jerk.
$50! You're Keeling better. aren't
you?" the latter woman cried, heartily.
"Yes. How did I get here?" Dave
asked. II must have been right, sick
and troublesome to you"
Paloma smiled aud nodded. "Sick!
Why, Dave, you frightened us nearly to
death! You were clear out of your
head"
Mrs. Strange broke into his frown-
ing meditation to ask. "How long since
you had a nights sleep?"
"I- Oh, the prosecutor at Browns
vile amt let me alone a minute for q
week."
"Umph! I thought 80. You puzzled
that pill-roller, but doctors don't know
anything, anyhow. Why. he wanted to
wake you up to find out what allied
you! I threatened to scald him if he
did"
l SCC" " IClllCIuUCl l1lhluS Il SOOO
DEAL" Dave ventured. II reckon L
said a lot Of foolish things" He caught
the look that passed between his
nurses and its significance distressed
him.
Mrs. Strange continued: 'That's
how we guessed what your trouble
was, and that's why I wouldn't let that
fool doctor disturb you. Now that
you've had a sleep and are all right
again, I'm going home and change my
clothes. I haven't had them off for
two nights"
"Two nights!" Dave stared in be-
wilderment. Then he lamely apollo
, gized for the trouble he had caused,
and tried to thank the women for their
kindness.
He was shaky when, an hour later,
he came downstairs for breakfast; but
otherwise he felt better than for many
days; and Blaze's open delight at see
ing him did him as much good as the
food he ate.
Dave spent part Of the morning sun
ming himself on the porch, reading the
papers with their exciting news. Dur
ing his absence Paloma had done her
best to spoil Montrosa. and among 9TH
er marks of favor had allowed her free
run of the yard, where the shade was
cool and the grass fine, and where de-
licious tidbits were to be had from the
kitchen for the mere asking. In con-
sequence, Dave did not remain there
long until he was discovered. Mont
rosa signaled, then trotted toward him
with ears and tail lifted. Her delight
was open and extravagant; her well
come was as enthusiastic as a horse
could make it. Gone were her %coQuetry
and airs she nosed and nibbled Dave
she rubbed and rooted him with the
violence of a battering-ram, and per-
mitted him to hug her and murmur
words Of love into her velvet ears. She
snapped confidence for confidence,
too; and then, when he finally walked
back toward the house, she followed
closely, as If fearful that. he might
again desert her.
Phil Strange met the lovers as they
e. turned the corner Of the porch, and
warmly shook Dawes hand. "Teeny-
my wife-told me you, was BETTER. he
began, $50 I beat it out here. I hung
around all day yesterday, waiting to
see you, but you was batty."
II was pretty SICK" Dave acknowl
edged. "Mrs. Strange was mighty kind
to me-"
"Sick people get her goat. She's got
a way with 'em and with animals, too
Why, Rajah, the big python with our
show, took sick one year, and he'd have
died sure only for her. Same with q
lot Of the other animals. She knows
more'n any vet I ever saw"
perhaps I needed a veterinary in
stead Of a DOCTOR" Dave smiled. ~
guess I've got some horse blood in me
See!" Montrosa had thrust her head
under his arm and was waiting fol
him to scratch her ears.
SWELL, I brought you ssome mall
Strange fumbled in his pocket for 8
small bundle of letters, explaining
"Blaze gave me these for you as ]
passed the post Office"
Dave took the letters with q word Of
thanks, and thrust them carelessly in
to his pocket. "What seems to be the
trouble?" he inquired.
"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. "Ross
Morales has been to see me regular"
Dave passed al uncertain hand owe
his forehead. "I'm not in very gooG
shape to tackle q new proposition, but
what is it?"
"We've got to get Mrs. Austin away
from here"
.-S