The Lamar register., 1917-09-12

1t was with peculiar, apprehensiVe
fiutter In her breast that Alaire real
lied the crisis had come. Heretofore
she had blamed Law, but now, oddly
enough. she found herself interested In
defending him. AS calmly as she
could, she related all that had led
up to the tragedy, while Jose listened
with eyes wide and mouth open.
"You see, had no suspicion Of the
truth" she concluded. at was n ter
rible thing, and Mr.. Law regrets it
deeply. He would have made Il report
to the authorities, only-he feared It
might emburrass me-"
Jose was torn with rage. yet plainly
a prey to indecision he rolled his eyes
and cursed under his breath. These
Rangersl" he muttered. "That is the
kind OF men they are. They murder
honest people"
This was not a murder" Alaire
cried sharply. "Panfilo was aiding
felon to escape. The courts will not
punish Mr.. Law"
bah! Who cares for the courts?
This man is a gringo. and these are
Singo laws. But l am a Mexican,
anu EhuulO WIS my COuSlu We Sllalii
see."
Don't be rash, Jose" she exclaimed,
warnlngly.
Jose continued to glover. Then,
turning away. he said, without meet
ing his employers eyes, II would like
to draw my money"
"Very well. 1 am sorry to have you
leave Las Palmas. for have regarded
you as one of my gente." Jose's face
remained stony. "What do you intend
to dor Where are you goingT"
The fellow shrugged. "Quien sabel
Perhaps l shall go TO my General Lon
gorio."
Alaire smiled family. you will be
shot," she told him. '"Those soldiers
have little to eat and no money at
ALL"
But Jose's bright eyes remained hos
tile and his expression battling. 1t
was plain to Alaire that her eXplana-
ton OF his cousins death had carried
not the slightest conviction, and she
even began to fear that her part in
the affair had caused him to look upon
her as an accessory. Nevertheless,
when she paid him his wages she gave
him a good horse, which Jose accepted
with thanks but without gratitude. As
Alaire watched him ride away with
never a backward glance, she decided
that she must lose no time in appris-
ing the Ranger Of this new condition
of affairs.
She drove her automobile to Jones'
Vile that afternoon, more worried than
she cared to admit. Law was nowhere
In town. and so, in spite Of her reluc-
tance, Alalre was forced to look for
him at the Jones home. As she had
never called upon Paloma, and had
made Ii almost impossible for the girl
to visit Las Palmas, the meeting of
the two women was somewhat formal.
But no one could long remain stiff or
constrained with Paloma Jones the
girl had a directness Of manner and
an honest, friendly smile that simply
would not be denied. Her delight that
Alaire had come to see her pleased and
shamed the elder women. who hest
tatingly confessed the object of her
visit.
"Oh, thought you were calling on
me-" Paloma pouted her pretty lips.
Dave isn't here. lie and father-
have gone away"
1t needed no close observation to
discover the concern in Paloma's eyes;
Alaire told her story quickly. "Mlr
Law must be warned right away sine
added, "for the man is capable Of any
thing"
Paloma nodded. Dave told us how
he had killed Panfilo-" She hesi-
tated, and then cried, impulsively:
Mrs. Austin, I'm going to confess
something-Fve got to tell somebody
or I'll burst. was walking the floor
when you came. Well, dad and Dave
have completely lost their wits. They
have gone across the river-to get Ri
cardo Guzman's body"
"WhatT" Alaire stared at the girl
uncomprehendingly. MY dear girl.
aren't you dreamingl"
~ thought l must be when heard
about 1t. Dad wouldn't have told me
at all, only he thought ought to know
in case anything happens to him." Pa
loma's breath failed her momentarily.
'They left an hour ago in my machine,
with two Mexicans to help them. They
intend to cross at your pumping plant
as soon as 1t gets dark. and be back