Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1917-09-07
CHAPTER XIV.
superstitions and certainties.

anu &CIlSiu6iCSs
The sensation caused by Ricardo
Guzman's disappearance was as moth
ing to that which followed the recovery
of his body. Whatever the facts of
the rescue, it was generally recognized
that the result had been to bring on
lions. Strong influences, however,
were at work to prevent that very out
come for which the people Of Texas
prayed. During the delay there arose
report that Ricardo Guzman had
borne an evil reputation, and that he
the rebel cause as to warrant punish
ment by the federal government. More
over, legal question as to his Ameri-
can citizenship was raised-a question
which seemed to have important bear
ing upon the case.
Public interest is short-lived; few
living men can hold it more than a day
or two, and it reckons no dead man
worthy of more than an obituary no
| tice. Thus in the course of time the
Guzman incident was in a fair way
of being officially forgotten and for
given.
| But there were several persons who
felt intense relief at the course events
had taken, and among these was A1aire
| Austin. In the days following that
midnight expedition she had had ample
time in which to mediate upon her
husbands actions. 1t seemed probable
that he had fled to San Antonio, there
to remain until interest in the Guzman
matter had abated.
Alaire telephoned Dave Law, argu-
! ing to herself that she must learn
more about her husbands connection
with the Lewis gang. Dave arrived
even sooner than she had expected.
She made him dine with her, and they
| spent the evening on the dim-lit gal
| lery. In the course Of their CONVEX
sation Alaire discovered that Dave, too,
had hidden side of his nature; that
he possessed an imagination, and with
it quaint whimsical, exploratory turn
Of mind which enabled him to talk
interestedly of many things and many
places. On this particular evening he
was anything but the man Of iron she
had known-until she ventured to
speak Of Ed. Then he closed up like
trap. He was almost gruff in his
refusal to say word about her hus-
band.
Because Of Eds appropriation Of the
ranch cash, Alaire found it necessary
few days later to go to the bank,
and, feeling the need Of exercise, she
rode her horse Montrose. When her
errands had been attended to, she sud-
denly decided TO call on Paloma Jones.
It was years since she had voluntarily
done such a thing; the very impulse
surprised her.
Paloma, it happened, was undergoing
that peculiar form of feminine torture
known as ''ftting;;" but insecurity
basted, pinned and tucked as she was.
she came flying down to the gate to
meet her visitor.
Alaire was introduced to Mrs.
Strange, the dressmaker, large, acid
ulous brunette, with a mouthful of
pins oHU IAcn, W1Icu EdlOmd mao CIV
en- herself once more into the seam
stress hands, the two friends gossiped,
II don't know what dad will say
when he gets the bill for these
dresses" Paloma confessed.
"Your father is a mighty queer
man." Mrs. Strange observed. ST
haven't so much as laid eyes on him."
Pnloma nodded. "Yes. And he's get
ting more peculiar all the time; I can't
make out what ais him."
Where is he now?" asked Alaire.