The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1917-05-24

How did you happen to read Ana
tole Francer Alaire asked, wirh a
sharp stare OF surprise.
The Ranger stirred. but he did not
meet her eyes. "Well," said he, II
read most anything / can get. A rl-
Ter meets up with strange books Just
like he meets up with strange people,
mot books like-that." There was
n brief silence. "Mr. Law, o went
to school in the East, didn't you?
WhereT" The man hesitated, at which
she insisted, "Where?"
Dave reluctantly turned upon her a
pair Of eyes in the depths Of which
there lurked the faintest twinkle.
Cornell" said he.
Alaire gasped. After n while she re-
marked. stiflly, "You have a peculiar
sense OF humor."
Now don't be offended" he begged
her. I'm a good deal like q chame-
leon / unconsciously change my color
to suit my surroundings. When we
first met l saw that you took me for
one thing, and since then I've tried n
W sHoW YOU your lllstnke.
"Why did you let me send you those
silly booksf / dare say you've had a
fine laugh at my expenseT"
"No" gravely denied the man.
They had come to an arroyo contain.
ing a considerable stream OF muddy
water, and Law was forced to get out
to plug the carburetor and stop the oil
intakes to the cr%ank-case. This done,
Alaire ran the machine through on the
self-starter. When Jose's "Caram.
has! !" and Dolores shrleks had SUBJ
sided, and they were again under way,
Mrs. Austin, 1t seemed, had regained
her good humor.
"You will receive no more Of my ia.
vo'ite authors" she told Dave, spite
fully. "Ill keep them to read my
self"
"Do you still believe In chivalry?"
Alaire turned her eyes upon the
q%uestioner, and there were no girlish
illusions In them. do your" she quer-
led, with a faint curl OF her lip.
"Why-yes."
She shook her head. "Afen have
changed. Nowadays they are all self
ish and sordid. Butt shouldn't gen.
e~rallze, for I'm "a notorious man.hater,
you know"
He nodded, w%hereupon she eyed him
speculatively. Let us see. You are
a man-how far would you 60 for the
woman you loved?"
"The limit!
Mrs. Austin frowned Mt this light
seeming answer. 81 suppose you mean
that you would make any sacriicef' y
"Yes; that's IT,"
Would you give up the woman her.
self, II you considered 1t your duty?'
mo. There couldn't be any duty
higher than love-tO my way Of think
ing. But you shouldn't take me as
n specimen. I'm not a good represen.
tative of my SEX"
IL think you are a very good one
Alalre said quietly, and Dave realized
that no iiattery was intended.
Despite the rough roads, they made
fair time, and the miles Of cactus and
scrawnr brush rolled swiftly past. The
morning sun swung higher, and by
midday the metal Of the automobile
had become as hot as a frying pan
They stopped at various goat ranches
to inquire about Adolfo Urbina, and al
noon halted beside q watercourse fol-
lunch.
Dave was reHlling the radiator when
he overheard Jose In conversation with
Mrs. Austin.
Nowhere a trace" the horse
breaker was saying. "No one has seer
him. Poor Rosa Morales will die OF
a broken heart"
Alaire explained to her guest: "Jost
is worried about his cousin Panflo. II
} seems he has disappeared"
$50! You are PanflO's cousln?'
! Dave eyed the Mexican with new In,
~terest.
"Si!"
, You remember the MANI" Alair,
went on. Tie was with that fellow
: you arrested at the water.nole."
"Oh, yes. ! remember him" with
steady fingers Dave shook some to
bacco into n cigarette paper. He fel
Alaire's eyes upon him, and they wer,
eloquent Of inquiry, but he did no
l meet them.
e Jose frowned. mo one at La Ferii
has seen him, and in Pueblo there wa!
not a word. II Is strange"
"Pnnflo was In bad company wher
: saw him." Law finished rolling hi
cigarette and lit II, still conscious o
;. Alaffe's questioning gaze. "He ma.
n have had trouble"
5 HE was a good man." the horse
Y breaker asserted. "If he is dead
q The Mexican's frown deepened to
scowl.