Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-04-02

Alaire is gone to La Feria and is in
great danger.
Chapter XvIII-pave goes to Las
Palmas and arrives just after the muir
der. of Ed Austin.
Chapter XIX--He rounds up Jose
gives him the water cure and gets
from him confession that he killed Ed
then starts for La Feria to protect
Alaire, whom he knows Longorio will
capture. He instructs Blaze to give
the whole matter the widest publicity
and to send Ellsworth to Washington
to sing battle hymns.
-sW,ly. sn si---.ls ami whimpers, In
ngonies of reluctance his story came !;
his words were rendered almost incom-
prehensible by his abysmal fright
When he had purged himself Of his
secret Dave promptly unbound him
then leaving him more than half dead
he went to the telephone which con
nected the pumping station with Las
Palmas and called UP the ranch.
He was surprised when Blaze Jones
answered Blaze, II seemed, had just
arrived, summoned by news Of the
tragedy. The countryside had been
alarmed and search for Ed Austins
slayer was being organized.
"Coll 1t Off" Dave told him. 1--WE
got your man." Blaze suffered his
surprise and Incredibly. II mean it,
It's Jose Sanchez, and he has con
fesscd. ! want you to come here,
quick and come alone. If you don't
mind. need your help"
Inside of ten minutes Jones piloted
his automobile into the clearing beside
the river. and, leaving his motor run
ming, lcaped from the ear.
Dave met him at the door Of the
Morales house and briefly told him the
story Of Jose's capture.
"Say. That's quick work. the
rancher cried. admiringly why, Ed
amt cold yet. You gave him the wa
tcr-curc,' Ell? Now reckoncd it would
take more than water to make Il MeNi.
can talk"
Jose was hired for the work; he
laid for Ed Austin In the pecan grove
and shot him as he passed
"Ilired Why this honbre needs
quick hangin', don't he? told 'em ut
Las palmas that you'd rounded up the
guilty party. so reckon they'll be here
IN few minutes. Wen just stretch
this horse-wrangler, and save the coun.
ty some expense" Law shrugged. 'Do
what you like with him, butt isn't
necessary. He'll confess In regulation
form, I'm sure. | had to work fast to
learn what became of Mrs. Austin
"AIix Austini What's happened to
her?'
Dawes voice changed; there was Il
sudden quickening of his words
"They've got her. Blaze. They waited
until they had her safe before they
killed Ed"
They?' Who are you talkln'
nbOnt?"
II mean Longorio and his outfit. He's
got her OYER yonder." Dale dung out
n trembling hand toward the river
Seeing that his heorer failed to COM
prchcnd, he explained, swiftly: Hes
crazy about her--got one, OF those
Mexican infatmtlops--and you know
what that means. He couldn't steal
her from Las Palmas-shc wouldn't
have anything to do with h.nl-so he
used that old cattle deal as an excuse
to get her across the border. Then he
put Ed out of the way. She went Of
her own accord, and she didn't tell
Austin, because they wore having
trouble. She's gone to La Feria. Blaze.
la Ferin Then she's in for it."
Dave nodded his agreement; for the
first time Blaze noted how white and
set was his friends face.
"I0ngorio must have forcseen what
was coming Dave, went on. "That
countiy's nilnlne; Americans aren't
safe over there. II war Is declared, Il
good many Of them viii never be heard
from. He knows that. He's got llel
snfe. She can't get out"
Blaze was very grave when next he
spoke. "Dave this IL bnd--bnd.
emit understand what made her go