Williston graphic., 1917-05-24

house itself. They had nearly reached
their goal when out into the clearing
behind them, with metallic rattle and
clang, burst another automobile, and
Paloma whispered excitedly.
"There's the Lewis outfit ut last"
In the Lewis car were several men
They descended hurriedly. and when
one CT them ran around the front OF
the car to turn off its lights, both wom'
en- saw that he carried rifle. Evi'
IDENTIFY Tad Lewis had come prepared
for desperate measures.
A small door gave entrance to the
pumphouse, and into the lock of this
Mrs. Austin fitted key; the next mo-
ment she and Paloma were safely in
side. Dusty, cobwebbed windows lei
in faint ghost-glow of moonlight, but
prevented clear observation of any
thing outside; Alaire's fumbling fin'
gers found the latch and began tG
lift window, when someone spoke
just outside the building.
"What did you discover?" inquired
voice which neither woman recOg
nized. Paloma clutched blindly for heI
companions; the two eavesdrOppers
stood rooted in their tracks. The
pounding of their hearts sounded loud
ly. Since the building was little more
than wooden shell. they could plainly
he2r the answer:
"The house is full Of greasers.
can't foil who thov n ro -
A third man spoke, this time ir
Spanish. "That was Tad Lewis who
just came, senor."
There followed some whispered
words indistinguishable to the listen
ers, then rustic Of bodies moving
through the tall grass and weeds.
Paloma placed her lips close tt
Alaire's ear. "Who are those people?'
she breathed.
II don't know. They must be the
ones who came In that strange auto
mobile"
Paloma chartered viciously: Every
body In Texas is here. l wish wed
thought to scatter tacks behind u.s.
Cautiously they swung the door bach
and looked out. The open space along
tho river bank was levelsd BY tha
moonlight; from Morales house, q
their right, came the sound Of voicso.
The women waited.
A few moments, then q number Of
men appeared. Paloma Judged there
were at least dozen, but she waa
too excited to count them. AS they
came struggling toward the pumphouss
one of them called back:
"Morales! Put out your lighto."
Both women recognized Tad Lewis 40
the speaker.
Alaire had stubbornly refused to
charge her husband with any active
share in this evil business, but her
faith in Ed suddenly vanished when
she heard him say:
Hush! You're making too much
noise. You'd better scatter out. too,
for there's no telling where they'll
land" Alaire leaned weakly against
the door. I'm going to leave, and let
you-all attend to the rest" he was
saying. But Tad Lewis halted him as
he turned from the group.
'Where are you going, Ed? You left
your car back yonder by the road. J
almost ran into It,"
"Eh? What are you talking abouti
My car is over by Morales house"
'Senor Austin is In great hurry"
sneered someone in Spanish. "Once
more he leaves all of the fighting to
his friends"
''Thats Adolfo Urbina." painted Pa.
Iona. II know him." Stung by this
open charge of cowardice, Austin be.
gan q voluble defense. but In the midst
Of 1t General Longorio addressed him
sharply.
"You will stay here. senor. Nobody
leaves this place"
II told you wouldn't be party to
the business" Ed declared hotly. "You
forced me to come in the flrst place"
"Yes! And now force you to stay"
Longorio's stand appeared to please
Lewis, who chimed In with the words: !:
that's right, Ed. You've got to stick
for once in your life"
"What do you mean, you nearly ran
into my car back yonder?' Austir
asked after moment.
Saint that your machine yonder BY
the thicket" inquired Lewis. III II
amt. whose. is it?" AS no one an.
swered he started In the direction he
bad indicated; hut at that moment
man came running from the river bank.
crying softly:
"Look out They come"
A man passed swiftly by the crack
of the half-open door and scarcely ter
feet beyond He was followed by three
others.
The first of the newcomers, acting
as spokesman for his, party, stepped
out into the moonlight and cried loud.
ly: "Hallo, men! What's goin' on
here?' 1t was an American voice; II
had broad, slow Texas drawl.
The group of plotters turned; there
was a startled murmur, then Tad
Lewis answered.:
"Hello! Who are you! What dc
vn, 1.ont9v