Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1917-07-27

not imagine why a person of Ed Aus
tins standing should behave in this
extraordinary manner, unless, perhaps
he was drunk.
swell, l saw the calves, and left
the fellow that was branding then
with wet saddle blanket over his
face"
"Eh? What's that?" Austin start
ed, and Gonzalez uttered smothere6
exclamation. "You killed him? He's
dead?"
dead enough to skin. I caught him
with his irons in the fire and the calves
necked up in your pasture. Now
| want his companero."
"I-hope you don't think we know
anything about him." Ed protested.
where's that man, on the sorre
horse?"
Austin turned away with shrug.
"You rode in with him." Dave per
sisted.
Ed wheeled quickly. SLOW do yor
know I 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 was
with had nothing to do with this af
fair. Would you know your man? Did
you get look at him?"
'No. But I reckon Don Ricardo
could tell his horse"
"Humph!" Austin grunted, disagree
ably. $50 just for that you come
prowling around threatening my help
Ell? Trying to frame up a case, may
be? Well, it don't go. 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?"
81 met him at noon, and-I've beer
with him ever since. So you see you're
wrong. presume your man doubled
back and is laughing at you"
Laws first bewilderment had given
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 hitched
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 to
speak.
Constituting this silence as an &C
acknowledgement Of defeat, Ed turned to
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 you
the way to the kitchen" Then he
walked away into the darkness, fol
lowed by the shocked gaze of his
range boss.
Benito reused himself from his
amazement to say, warmly: ISL, com
padre. You viii enjoy a cup Of hot
coffee"
But Law ground out fercely: "I'm
not used to kitchen handouts. I reck-
on can chew my bride reins If get
too hungry" Walking to his horse, he
vaulted into the saddle.
Benito laid hand upon his thigh
and apologized. "Senor Ed is ia strange
man. He is often like this lately. You
understand me? Will you come to my
house for support"
''Thank you, but think TIL ride on
to Tad Lewis and see Urbina.''
At this the Mexican shook his head
as ir apprehensive Of the result, but he
said nothing more.
Law hesitated as he was about to
spur out of the yard. ''By the way
he ventured, "you needn't mention this
to Mrs. Austin"
"She is not here" Gonzalez told him.
"She has gone to La Feria to see about
her affairs. She would not permit of
this occurrence If she wero at home.
She is very fine lady"
'Yes. Good night, Benito.'
"Good night, senior"