Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-03-05

rifle leveled. With the first jerk OF
his horses head his own gun had
leaped to his shoulder--he was not
conscious of having willed it to do
so-nnd even as he pressed the trig-
ger he felt Bessie Belle give way. The
next instant his feet, still in the STIR
rups, were on the ground and his
horse lay between them. motionless.
That nervous fling Of her head had
saved Dawes life, for the rustler's
bullet had shattered her skull in its
flight, and she lay prone, with scarcely
i muscular twitch, so sudden had been
her end.
For moment the Ranger was
iazcd. He stood staring ,lonn Mt his
pct: then the truth cngufed him. liz
realized HAT he Ind ridden her to
her death, and at the thought he he
came like woman bereft Of her
child. like d lover who had seen his
sweetheart slain.
A shout IT was {, hoarsc, inarticu.
late cry; a swift, rla,ldened scrutiny
that searched the scdtcn scene of the
ambush then lie was down beside the
mare. calling her name hcartbrokenly,
his arms around her neck. his face
against her warm, wet velvet hide.
Law knew that two men had en-
tered the thlcket, and therefore one
still remained to be reckoned with,
but he gave no thought to that. From
the corner Of his eye he could see
pair Of bootsolcs staring at him out
Of the grass and they told him there
was not need for Investigation. Near
the body he heard the calf stirring, but
he let it struggle.
Bessie Bellies bright eyes were glaz-
! ing. she did not hear her lovers
voice. Don Ricardo and his son burst
out of the brush from opposite dircc-
/ tons almost at the same moment. to
find the Ranger with his face buried
In his horses name.
"Caramba! What is thls?" The old
man flung himself from the saddle
and came running. "You are ihjured?"
Pedro, too, bent over the officer, his
Mother of God!" brcathcd the latter.
"It was q wild thing to do, to ride
4 alone"
"I'm oil right" Law said, rising
stillly, whcreupon both Mexicans
voiced their relief.
'"rhe saints be praised !"
"Sl! What happen>d? There was
shot! Did, you see nothlng?"
Law jerked his head in the direc-
ton of the fallen man ut his back and
Pedro uttered loud cry.
"Look |" Father and son ran through
the grass, then recoilcd and broke
into jargon of oatlis and exclama-
lions.
'Righ. in the mouth! The fellow
was in death before he realized it.
"Sce! 1t Is rs we thought, Pedro
one of Lewis Use! Use! Use
What Il sight"
"Who Is hep querlcd the officer.
'I'lno CARA, one Of the worst !"
chlined the two Guzmnns.
| Ricardo was dancing In his excite
ment. II told you that Lewis knew
something. The other one got past
me, but cannot shoot like--this."
II was difficult to secure connected
story from Ricardo. but he finally
made 1t plain that ut the first report
the other thief had fed. exposing him
self only long enough for the old maj
to take quick shot In his direction
Ricardo had missed, and the mlscre
ant was doubtless well away by this
time. He had ridden n sorrel horse
that was nli Ricardo could remember
Law looked only briefly at the grue
some results Of his craftsmanship
then he turned bnck to the body OF hi
beloved mare. Ricardo noticed a
length that he was crying; as tn
Ranger knclt beside the dcnd thor
ouslibrcd, the old Mexican whispered
to his son:
"Vnlgame Dlos! This Is strang,
fellow. He wccps like n woman. II,
must have loved that horse MS n mni
loves his wife. Who can understand
these grlngos?" After time he up
preached cautiously and inquired
What shall we do with this hombre