The Hope pioneer., 1917-06-14

AAeet1AS AuSllu. Luis LOngOr1O was
the sort of man who enjoys a strained
situation, and one who shows to the
best advantage under adverse condi-
tions. Accordingly, Eds arrival, in
stead Of Fastening his departure, mere
ly served to prolong his stay.
1t was growing late now, and Palo-
ma was frantic Profiting by her first
opportunity, she whispered to Alaire,
"For Gods sake, send him away"
Alaire's eyes were dark with excite
ment. eyes," said she. "Talk to him,
and give me a chance to have word
alone with Ed"
The opportunity came when Austin
went into the dining room for drink.
Alaire excused herself to follow him.
When they were out Of sight and hear
ing, her husband turned upon her with
an ugly frown.
'What's that greaser doing here?"
he asked roughly.
"He called to pay his respects. You
must get him away"
II must?" Ed glowered at her.
''Why don't you? You got him here
in my absence. Now that I'm home,
you want me to get rid Of him, eh?
What's the idea?"
Don't be silly. I didn't know he
was coming and-he must be crazy to
risk such thing"
"Crazy?" Eds lip curled. "He isn't
crazy. I suppose he couldn't stay away
any longer. By heaven, Alaire-"
Alaire checked this outburst with
a sharp exclamation: "Don't make a
scene! Don't you understand he holds
over fifty thousand dollars worth of
La Feria cattle? Don't you understand
we can't antagonize him?"
"Is that what he came to see you
about?"
eyes," She bit her lip. "Tll explain
everything, but-you must help me
send him back, right away" CHANGING
at the clock, Alaire saw that it was
drawing on toward midnight; with
quick decision she seized her husband
by the arm. explaining feverishly:
'There is something big going on to-
night, Ed! Longorio brought guard
of soldiers with him, and left them at
our pumphouse. Well, it so happens
that Blaze Jones and Mr.. Law have
gone to the Romero cemetery to get
Ricardo Guzman's body"
"What?'' Austin's red face paled,
his eyes bulged.
Eyes. That's why Paloma is here.
They crossed at our pumping station,
and they'll be back at any time, now.
If they encounter Longorio's men
You understand"
"Ricardo Guzman's body" Austin
wet his lips and swallowed with diff
Guilty. "Why-do they want his body?"
ITO prove that he is really dead
and-to prove who killed him." Not
ing the effect of these Words Alaire
cried sharply, "What's the matter,
EdY
But Austin momentarily was beyond
speech. The decanter from which he
was trying to pour himself a drink
played musical tattoo upon his glass;
his face had become ashen and pasty.
GLOW many men has he got?" Aus
tin nodded in the direction Of the front
room.
II don't know. Probably four or five.
What oils you?"
Something in her husbands inexpli-
cable agitation, something in the hunt
ed, desperate way in which his eyes
were running over the room, alarmed
Alaire.
Ed utterly disregarded her question.
Catching sight Of the telephone, which
stood upon stand in the far corner
Of the room, he ran to it, and, snatch
ing the receiver, violently oscillated
the hook.
"Don't do that" Alaire cried, fol-
lowing him. "Wait! It mustn't get
out"
"Hello! Give me the Lewis ranch
quick-I've forgotten the number"
With his free hand Ed held his wife
at distance, muttering harshly: "Get
away now! I know what I'm doing.
Get away-d-n you" He flung
Alaire from him as she tried to snatch
the instrument out Of his hands.
ed" she cried. "Are you out of
your mind? You mustn't"
Their voices were raised now, heed
less of the two people in the adjoining
room.
Keep your hands off, I tell you.
Hello! Is that you, Tad?" Again Aus
tin thrust his wife violently aside.
Listen! I've just learned that Dave
Law and old man Jones have crossed
over to dig up Ricardo's body. Yes,