Macon beacon., 1917-06-01

not imagine why person of Ed Aus
tins standing should behave In this
extraordinary manner, unless, perhaps,
he was drunk.
swell. I saw the calves, and I left
the fellow that was branding them
with wet saddle blanket over his
face"
'Eh? What's that? Austin start
ed, and Gonzalez uttered a smothered
exclamation. "You killed him? He's
dead?
Dead enough to skin. caught him
with his irons in the fire and the calves
necked up in your pasture. Now !
want his companero."
T-hope you don't think we know
anything about him." Ed protested.
where's that man on the sorrel
horse?"
Austin turned away with shrug.
"You rode in with him." Dave per-
sisted.
Ed wheeled quickly. "How do you
know 1 did?"
"Your boy saw you"
The ranchman's voice was harsh as
he said: "LOOk here, my friend, you're
on the wrong track. The fellow l was
with had nothing to do with this af.
fair. Would you know your man? Did
you get look at himY
mo. But l reckon Don Ricardo
could tell his horse"
"Humph!" Austin grunted, disagree
| ably. $50 just for that you come
prowling around threatening my help
eh? Trying to frame up a case, may
be? Well, 1t don't go. 1 was out with
one of Tad Lewis men,"
"What was his name" Dave man.
aged to inquire.
"Urbina. He had sorrel under him
but there are thousands Of sorrel
horses"
"What time did you meet him?"
II met him at noon, and-I've been
with him ever since. So you see you're
wrong. l presume your man doubled
back and is laughing at you"
Laws first bewilderment had giver
place to black rage; for the moment
he was In danger of disregarding the
reason for "Young Eds" incivility and
giving rein to his passion, but he
checked himself in time.
"Would you mind telling me what
you and this Urbina were doing?"
Austin laughed mockingly. "That's
my business" said he.
Dave moistened his lips. He hitchet
his shoulders nervously. He was aston
ished at his own self-control, though
the certainty that Austin was drunk
helped him to steady himself. Never
theless, he dared not trust himself tC
speak.
Constituting this silence as an ac
acknowledgement Of defeat, Ed turned t.
go. Some tardy sense Of duty, how
ever, prompted him to fling back, care
lessly:
II suppose you've come good ways
If you're hungry, Benito will show yol
the way to the kitchen" Then ht
walked away into the darkness, fol
lowed by the shocked gaze Of hi!
range boss.
Benito reused himself from hi
amazement to say, warmly: Isl, com
padre. You will enjoy cup of no
coffee"
But Law ground out iercely: "Tn
not used to kitchen handouts. reck
on can chew my bride reins If gel
too hungry" Walking to his horse, HI
vaulted into the saddle.
Benito laid a hand upon his thigl
and apologized. "Senor Ed is a strange
man. He is often like this lately. Yol
understand me? Will you come to m!
house for supper?"
"Thank you, but I think I'll ride OF
to Tad Lewis and see Urbina."
At this the Mexican shook his heat
as ir apprehensive of the result, but he
said nothing more.
Law hesitated as he was about t.
spur out of the yard. "By the way,
he ventured, 'you needn't mention thi
to Mrs. Austin"
"She is not here" Gonzalez told him
"She has gone to La Feria to see abou
her affairs. She would not permit o
this occurrence if she were at home
She Is very fine lady"
''Yes. Good night, Benito."
Good night, senor." :.