The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1917-05-31
Copyright by Harper 4 Brothers
CHAPTER x-coninued.

10
But as if his thoughts were telepa-
thic messages, she did the very thing
he feared.
"We won't be in before midnight"
she said, 'but I'll send you to Jones'
vile in the morning."
"Thank you, ma'am-Iu have to go
right through"
"IIl get you there in time for bust
ness. We've gained a reputation for
inhospitableness at Las Pa1mas that
I~want to overcome. Mr.. Austin ought
to know" she added, "about this-mat-
ter we were discussing, and I want him
to meet you"
HE has" Dave said, shortly; and
at his tone Alaire looked up.
"Sow She studied his grim face.
"And you quarreled?"
I'D really prefer to go on, ma'am.
I'll get to Jonesville somehow"
"You refuse-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 fretful, and her mistress ached
In every bone. When Jose had helped
his countrywoman Into the house,
Alaire said:
IF you insist upon going through,
you must take the car. You can re-
turn it tomorrow"
"And-about Panflo?" Dave queried.
"Wait. Perhaps I'll decide what is
best to do in the meantime. Good
night"
Law took her extended hand. Alaire
was glad that he did not fondle it in
that detestable 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 car and drove off through the
night, she stood for some time looking
after him.
Blaze Jones had insisted that Dave
live at his house, and the Ranger had
accepted the invitation; but as it was
late when the latter arrived ut Jones'
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 a gasoline go-devil?" the
elder man inquired, and Law was
forced to explain.
"Father has never learned to drive
a car without yelling Gee and 'Haw,'"
laughed Paloma. "And he thinks he
has title to the whole road, too. You
know these Mexicans are slow about
pulling their wagons to one side. Well,
father got mad n day, and when a
team refused him the right of way, he
whipped out his revolver and fred"
Blaze smiled broadly. 1T worked
great. And believe me, them Greasers
took to the ditch. I went through like
n hot wind, but I shot up sixty-fve
cartridges between here and town."
"Why didn't Mrs. Austin ask you to
stay all night at Las PalmasT" the
girl inquired Of Dave.
"She did,"
wonderful Paloma's surprise
was evidently sincere. II suppose you
refused because Of the way Ed treated
you. Tell me, is she nicer"
"She's lovely"
This vohopnopk Hoo1oro+iop huo,,rb&
a sudden CLEAN of interest into the
questioner's eyes.
"They say she has the most Won
derful gowns and jewels, and dresses
for dinner every night. Well"-Palo-
ma tossed her head-"Tm going to
have some nice clothes, too. You
wait"
snow don't you start riggin' your
self up for meals" Blaze said, warn
ingly. "First thing I know, you'll have
me in a full-dress suit, spillin' soup
on my shirt" Then to his guest he
complained, feelingly: II don't know
what's come over Paloma lately; this
new dressmaker has plumb stampeded
her. Somebody'd ought to run that
refine out OF town before b ruins
me-"
"She is a very nice woman" COM
placently declared the daughter; but
her father snorted loudly.
." wouldn't associate with such q
critter."
my! But you're proud"
1T amt that" Blaze defended him.
self. II know her husband, and he's
4 bad hombre. He backed me up
against a waterin' trough and told my
sortune yesterday. He said I'd be
married twice and have many children.
He said I loved widows, and unless 1
was poisoned by a dark lady I'd live
to be eighty years old. If I'd had a u
on me, I'd have busted him for some
Of the things he said. "A dark lady!
That's his wife. I give you warnin',