The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1917-06-21
Copyright by Harper Il Brothers
CHAPTER X-Coninued.

But as if his thoughts were trlcpa-
thic messages, she did the very thing
he feared.
awe won't be in before midnight,"
she said. "but I'll send you TO Jones
vile in the morning"
"Thank you, mu'am-Ill have to 80
right through"
"I'll get you there In time for bust
ness. We've gained q reputation for
inhOspitablencss at Las Palmas that
want to overcome. Mr.. Austin ought
to know" she added, "about this-mat-
ter we were discussing, and want him
TO meet you"
'IIc has" Dave said, shortly; and
at his tone Alaire looked up.
"So!" She studied his grim face.
"And you quarrcled?"
"I'd really prefer to 60 on, ma'am.
I'll get to Joncsvillc somehow"
"You rcfuse-to stay under his
roof?"
That's about it,
"I'm sorry" She did not ask for
further explanation.
The windows of Las Palmas were
black, the house silent when they
arrived at their journeys end; Dolo-
res was frctful, and her mistress achcd
in every bone. When Jose had helped
his countrywoman into the house,
Alaire said:
nc you insist upon going through,
YOU must take the car You can re-
turn 1t tomorrow"
"And-about Panfilo?" Dave qucricd
"Wait. Perhaps III decide what is
best to do In the meantime ddod
night"
Law took her extended hand. Alalrc
was glad that he did not fondlc it in
that dctcstnblc Mexican fashion Of
which she had lately experienced so
much glad that the grasp Of his long
strong fingers was merely firm and
friendly. When he stepped back into
the ear and drove off through tn,
night, she stood for some time lookin,
after him.
Blaze Jones had insisted that Dav
live Mt his house, and the Ranger hat
accepted the invitation; but as 1t wa!
late when the latter arrived Mt Jones
Vile, he went to the hotel for few
hours rest When he drove his bor-
rowed machine up to the Jones house,
about breakfast time, both Blaze and
Paloma were delighted to see him.
"Say, now! What you doing rolling
around In n gasoline gO-devil?" the
elder man inquired and Law was
forced to explain. ~
"Father has never learned to dsk&fye
a car without yelling Gee and :nHaw,' F."
laughed Paloma. "And hHyT thinks he
has title to the whol&.road. too. You
know these MexiiGins are slow about
puii1iRg their wagons to one side. Well
eIdther got mad one day, and when ,
team refused him the right Of way, hi
whipped out his revolver and fred"
Blaze smiled broadly. "It worked
great. And believe me, them Grcascr
took to the ditch. I went through lik,
Il hot wind, but I shot up siXtyfiv
cartridges between here and town."
"Why didn't Mrs. Austin ask you f
stay all night at Las Palmas?" tn
girl inquired Of Dave.
"She did"
"Wondcrful !" Paloma's surprls
was evidently sincere. ~ suppose yo
refused because of the way Ed treatc
you. Tell me, is she nicer"
"Shes lovely"
This vehement declaration brougf
sudden CLEAN Of interest into til
QueStlOner's eyes.
"rhey say she has the most wor
derful gowns and Jewels, and dresse
for dinner every night. Well"-Palt
ma tossed her head--"I'm going t
have some nice clothes, too. 70
walt!'
Now don't you start rlggin' yOul
self up for meals" Blaze said, war;
ingly. First thing know, you'll hay
me In a ful)-dress suit spillin' sou
on my shirt" Then to his guest h
complained, feelingly: IT don't kno,
what's come over Paloma lately; thi
new dressmaker has plumb stampede
her. Somebody'd ought to run thu
feline out Of town before she ruin
me-"
"She Is very nice woman" con
placently declared the daughter; br
her father snorted loudly.
II wouldn't associate with such
critter."
"My! But you're proud"
1T amt that" Blaze defended hin
self. II know her husband, and he
bad hombre. He backed me II
against a waterin' trough and told m
fortune yesterday. He said ia /
married twice and have many childre
He said loved widows, and unless
was poisoned by dark lady I'd Ii,
to be eighty years old. If I'd had q,
on me, I'd have busted him for SON
Of the things he said "A dark lady
That's his wife. give you warnir