Carrizozo outlook. [volume] (Carrizozo, N.M.) 1910-1945, 1917-11-16
CHAPTER XVIII.
Surprise.

$50
Law found II good TO feel q horse
between his knees. He had not realized
until now how long Montrosa's saddle
had been empty. The sun was hot and
friendly, the breeze was sweet I'm his
nostrlls MS he swept past the smiling
fields and out into the mesquite coun-
try. Heat WIVES danced above the
patches OF bare ground Insects sang
noislly from every side; far ahead the
road ran n wnverlng course through n
deceltful mirage Of ripping ponds. II
WIS all familiar, pleasant; II was
home. With every mile he covered his
strength and courage Increased.
Such changes had come Into his life
since his last visit to Las Pnlmas that
II gave him a feeling of unreallty to
discover no alteration In the ranch.
He had somehow felt that the build
ings would look older, that the trees
would have grown taller, and 80 when
he finally came In sight Of his destl-
nation he refined In to look.
Behind him he heard the hum OF IN
approaching motor, and he turned to
behold n car racing along the road he
had Just Travelled. The machine was
running fast, as a long streamer OF
choking dust gave evidence, and Dave
1901 recognized II as belonging to
Jonesvllle's prosecuting attorney. As
II tore past him Its owner shouted
something, but the words were lost. In
the automobile with the driver were
several passengers, and one OF these
likewise called to Dave aud seemed to
motion him TO follow. When the ma
chine slowed down a half-mlle ahead
and veered abruptly into the Las Pal
mas gateway, Dave lifted Montrosa to
n run, wondering what pressing neces-
sity could have induced the prosecut-
Ing attorney to risk such n reckless
burst OF speed.
Dave told himself that he was un-
duly a~pprehensive; that Strnnge's
warnings had worked upon his nerves.
Nevertheless, he continued TO ride so
hard that almost before the dust had
settled he, too, turned Into the shade
OF the palms.
Yes, there was excitement here
something was evidently very much
amlss, Judging from the groups OF
ranch.hands assembled upon the porch.
They were clustered about the doors
and windows, pcerlng In. Briefly they
turned their faces toward Law; then
they crowded closer, and he perceived
that they were not talking. Some OF
them had removed their hats and held
them In their hands.
Dawes knees shook under him as he
dlsmounted for one sick, glddy instant
the scene swan before his eyes the1
he ran toward the house and up tn,
steps. lie tried to frame a question
but his lips were stlf with fright
Needless of those In his path, he forced
his way into the house, then down th'
hall toward an open door, through
which he saw n room full OF people
From somewhere came the shrlll wall
ing of n woman the house was full o
hushed voices and whlsperlngs. Dnv,
had but II thought. From the depth
OF his being a voice called Alalre'
name until his brain rnng with It.
A bed was In the room, and arouni
It was gathered u group OF whlte-faceI
people. with rough hnnds Law cleared
Il way for himself, and then stopped
frozen In his tracks. Ills arms relaxed
his fingers ~unclenched, u great slgI
whlstled from his lungs. Before hin
booted, spurred, and fully dressed, Ia
the dead body Of Ed Austin.
Dave was stlll staring ut the maste
| OF Las Palmns when the prosecutln
/ attorney spoke TO him.
, "Godi This Is terrible, Isn't III" h
, said. Gle must have died instantly"
7 "WhO-dld ltf'
| ave don't know yet. Benito foun
. him and brought him In. lie hash
} been dead an hour"
4 Law run his eyes over the room, an
then asked, sharply, "Where Is Mr.
D Austin3"
He was answered by Benlto Coz
D znles, who had edged closer. "She
not here, senior"
. "Hnve you notified herr"
v Benlto shrugged. "There has bee
no time, II all happened 30 quickly
Someone interrupted. and Dave sn'
9 that Il was the local sherlf-evldentl
a II was he who had waved from III
speeding mnchlne a few moments b.
e fore.
v "Tm glad you're here, Dave, for 20
can give me a hand. I'm going to roun
d NJ these Mexlcans right away and IN
r out what they know. Whoever did
e hasn't gone far so you act as m
deputy and see whnt you a learn"
i When Dave had gained better col
A lrll nf hlmanlf he fnnk nnnlln nnihnn