Macon beacon., 1917-06-29

this Guzman killing The federal Off
GERS in Romero didn't frame 1t up"
NO? Who did?"
Tad Lewis"
Jones started. "What makes you
think that?'
Listen! Tad was afraid to let Or
bina come to trial. Ricardos dead and
the other witness Is gone. Now draw
your own conclusions"
Jones was amazed. "Say, Dave" he
cried, that means your case has blown
up, eh?'
Absolutely. Lewis has been selling
wet stock to the federals, and he
probably arranged with some of them
to murder Ricardo"
Blaze cursed eloQuently. "rd like to
hang 1t onto Tad; I'd sure clean house
down his way II I was positive"
II sent a man over to Romero" Dave
explained further HE tells me Ricar.
do Is dead, all right. There's a new
grave In the little cemetery above the
town, but there hasn't been a death in
Romero lately" The speaker watched
his friend closely. eff we had Ricar-
dos body on this side 1t would put
an end to all the lies, and perhaps
force Colonel Blanco to make known
the real facts. It might even mean a
case against Tad Lewis"
"What d'you say we go over there
and get Ricardo?"
Dave smiled. "That's what I've been
leading up to. VIII you take
chance"
"Yes."
Il knew you would. All we need is
a pair Of Mexicans to-do the work.
! liked Ricardo; owe him something"
Suppose we're caught?"
"In that case we'll have to run for
1t, and-I presume III be discharged
from the Ranger service"
II amt very good at runnin'-not
from Mexicans." Blaze's eyes were
bright and hard at the thought. "It's
more'n possible that, If they discover
US, we can start a nice little war
Of our own"
That evening Dave managed to get |
his Ranger captain by long.dlstance
telephone, and for some time the two
talked guardedly. When Dave rang
of they had come to a thorough un-
derstanding.
1t had been an easy matter for Jose
Sanchez to secure leave of absence
from Benito, but Alaire knew nothing
whatever about the matter until Jose
himself asked permission to see her
on matter Of Importance.
The man had ridden hard most of
the previous night, and his excitement
was patent. Even before he spoke,
Alaire realized that Panfilos fate was
known to him, and she decided swiftly
that there must be no further conceal
ment.
Sonora! A terrible thing" Jose
burst forth. 1T Is strange, unbeliev-
able! My head whirls--"
Alalre quleted him, saying in Span
ish, "Calm yourself, Jose, and tell me
everything from the beginning"
But how can I be calm? Panfilo
Is completely dead. But-you know?"
Alaire nodded. 'T-suspected."
Jose's dark eyes blazed; he bent for
ward eagerly. "What did you suspect,
and why? Tell me ALL"
1t was with peculiar, apprehensive
futter In her breast that Alaire real
lied the crisis had come. Heretofore
she had blamed Law, but now, oddly
enough, she found herself interested In
defending him. AS calmly as she
could, she related all that had led
up to the tragedy, while Jose listened
with eyes wide and mouth open.
You see, had no suspicion of the ,
TRUTH she concluded. ut was a ter
rible thing, and Mr.. Law regrets it
deeply. He would have made report
to the authorities, only-he feared it
might embarrass me-"
Jose was torn with rage, yet plainly ,,
q prey to indecision; he rolled his eyes
md cursed under his breath. "These ,
he muttered. "That is the
kind Of men they are. They murder ,
honest people,"
This was not a murder" Alaire ,
cried sharply, "Panfilo was aiding
felon to escape. The courts ill not =,
punish Mr.. Law"
Bah! Who cares for the courts?
This man is gringo, and these are ,
yringo laws. But I am a Mexican,
Ind Panfllo was my cousin. We shall Il
,ee." O.
Don't be rash, Jose," she exclaimed, i
Jose continued to glover. Then. /
urning away, he said, without meet
ng his employers eyes, 81 would like
Q draw my money"
VERY well. am sorry to have you
cave Las Palmas, for l have regarded
'ou as one of my gente." Jose's face
emained stony. "What do you intend
o do? Where are you going?
The fellow shrugged. "Quien sabel n
Perhaps shall go to my General Lon I,
,orio." I,
Alaire smiled family. "You will be a
hot" she told him. "Thcse soldiers O.
ave little to eat and no money at G.
H." :,
But Jose's bright eyes remained hos a
lie and his expression battling. 1t q
vas plain to Alalre that her explana- VI
ION OF his CouSin'S daofh hod oa.r;od -