The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1917-07-12

what Them
Jose significantly patted the gift 70
volver at his hip. This little fellow
will have something to say"
Dave looked him over idly, from
head to heel, then murmured: You
would do well to go slow, compadre.
Panfilo made his own quarrels."
1--WE were like brothers, and l do
not know of any quarrels. But 1 shall
find out. / am not given to Boosting.
senior, but / am a deyilish bad man in
my way"
Nothing more was said during the
luncheon, but when Alaire had finished
eating and her two employees had be-
gun their meal, she climbed the bank
Of the arroyo ostensibly to find a cool
spot. Having succeeded, she called to
Dave:
'There is a nice breeze up here"
The Rangers face set; rising slow,
ly, he climbed the bank after her
When they stood face to face in the
shade of a gnarly oak tree, Alairs
asked him point-blank:
"Where is Panflo Sanchez"
Dave met her eyes squarely; his
own were cold and hard. Hes where
he dropped at my second shot," said
he.
He could hear his companions sharp
inhalation. He did not finch at the
look she turned upon him.
HE was practically unarmed! What
do you call-such al actf"
Dawes lips slowly whitened, his face
became stony. He felt himself pitt
lessly condemned.
"Why didn't you tell me at the
timer" she asked. "Why didn't you
report itT"
'T1l report 1t when you give me per-
mission"
Il? WHAT" She wheeled tc
face him. ..
Think a moment. I can't tell half
the truth. And II I tell everything.
1t will lead to-gossip."
"Ahi I think 1 understand. Mr..
Law, you a be insulting"
For the first time the man lost mus.
cular control of his features; they
twitched, and under their tan his
cheeks became sickly yellow.
you've no right to say that" he told
her harshly. you've plumb over
stepped yourself, ma'am, and-I reck.
on you've formed quite a wrong opin.
Ion. Panilo had his six-shooter and
he used it; he intended to ambush me
and release his companion, but
forced his hand; so it amt what I'd
call murder; I haven't lost any sleer
over 1t. l."
"You r utterly ruthless"
"Yes'ml I'm not what you would
consider a nice person; the death of
Panilo Sanchez means nothing what
ever to me. If you can grasp that fact,
you'll see that your own reputation
weighed heavier in my mind that the
lives Of a dozen Mexicans-or whites,
for that matter" "
II go anywhere, everywhere. No one
has ever had the effrontery to ques.
ton my actions" Alaire told him,
stifly. .
"And I don't aim to give 'em 9
chance" Dave was stubborn.
There was another interval Of ST.
lence.
"You heard what Jose said. What
are you going to dot"
Dave made a gesture Of indiffer
ence. "It doesn't greatly matter. I'll
tell him the truth, perhaps. You might
warn him against any fcolishness
Jose has some sense"
The oma looked up c~uriously
Don't you know how to be afraid
Haven't you any fear?' she asked.
Dawes gray eyes were steady as he
answered: "Yes'mi I'm afraid this
thing is going to spoil our friendship.
I've been desperately afraid, all along
that I might have hurt -FOUR reputa.
ton. Even now I'm afraid, on your
account, to make public Panflo San.
CHEFS death. Yes'm, / know what II
Is to be afraid"
1t became evident to Dave, as the
afternoon progressed, that they would
be very late In arriving at Las Palmas,
and he began to fear that his hostess
would feel in duty bound to insist upon
his spending the night at her home.