The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-05-05
cOpsrighs By Harper 8 brothers
CHAPTER Iv-continued.


Blaze, in truth. was embarrassed by
the size of his holdings, but he shook
his head. mo, I'm too old to go ram
pagin' after new gods. 1 amt got the
imagination TO raise anything more
complicated than d mortgage; but if
was younger, I'd organize myself up
and do away with that Ed Austin. I'd
sure help him to an untimely end, and
then I'd marry them pecan groves, and
Hooded herds, and drugstore orchards.
She certainly is u heart-breakin' de-
vice, with her red hair, and red lips
an
Father" PaIoma was deeply
shocked.
Complete isolation, of course, Alaire
had found to be impossible. even
though her ranch lay far from the trav-
.eled roads and her Mexican guards
were not encouraging to visitors. Bust
ness inevitably brought her into con-
tact with a considerable number of
people, and of these the one she saw
most frequently was Judge Ellsworth
of Brownsville, her attorney.
1t was perhaps a week after Ed had
left for San Antonio that AIaire felt
the need of Ellsworth's counsel, and
sent for him. Ellsworth was a kindly
man of fifty-five, with a forceful chin
and a dropping, heavy-lidded eye that
could either blaze or twinkle. Judge
Ellsworth knew more than any four
men in that part of Texas; information
had way of seeking him out. He was
IaV fnn of
edge of human nature he considered
far more important than law. His
mind was like full granary, and every
grain lay where he could put his hand
upon it.
He mOtOred out from Brownsville,
and after Kidding himself of dust, in
sisted upon spending the interval be
fore dinner in an inspection of Alaire's
latest ranch improvements. Not until
= dinner was over did he inquire the rea-
son for his summons.
Its about La Feria. General Lon
igorio has cOnfiscated my stock" Alaire
told him. Il was afraid of this very
thing, and so l was preparing to bring
1.-THE stock over. Still never thought
they'd actually conf1scate it,
Hasn't Ed done enough to provoke
tconfiscation?" asked the judge. 81
have it pretty straight that he's Civ
ling money to the rebel junta and lend
ing every assistance he can to their
cause
81 didn't know he'd actually done
anything. How mad :"
"Yes-fbr d man with interests in
federal territory. But Ed always does
the wrong thing, you know"
'Then l presume this confscation is
in the nature of reprisal. But the
stock is mine, not Eds. want your
help in taking up the matter with
Washington
Ellsworth was pessimistic. at
won't do any good my DEAR" he said.
You won't be paid for your cattle. -
Then shall go to La Feria."
mol" The judge shook his head
decidedly.
1--WE been there hundred times.
:.-rhe federals have been more than
courteous"
istrongly advise against your going.
You'd better send some man."
Whom can I send7" asked Alaire.
l-'You know my situation"
The judge considered u moment be-
fore replying, Il can't go, for I'm
busy in court. You could probably
accomplish more than anybody else, if
14ongorio will listen to reason, and
after all, you are a person of such i'm
portance that dare say you'd be safe
But it viii be u hard trip, and you
won't know whether you are in rebel
or in federal territory"
We'll, people here are asking wheth
er Texas is in the United States OF
Mexico" Alaire said. lightly. ''Some
times 1 hardly know" After a mo-
ment she continued: "Since you know
everything and everybody, wonder ii
you ever met David Law?'
Ellsworth nodded.
Tell me something about him."
He asked me the same thing about
you. Well, L haven't seen much OF
Dave since he grew up, he's such 6
reamer.''
He said his parents were murdered
by the Guadalupes."
Yes. It happened a good many
years ago, and certainly they both me
a violent end. l was instrumental il
saving what property Frank Law left
but it didn't last Dave very long. He.
right careless in money matters. Dave
"a fine fellow in some ways-most ways
q believe, but" The judge lost him
self in frownfng meditation.
Il have never known you to damn .
friend or a client with such fam
praise, said A1aire.
''Oh. don't mean it that way. Tn
almost ike one of Dawes kin, and Pv,
ibeen keenly interested In watching nj
traits develop. I'm interested in he
redity. I've watched 1t In Eds case
for instance. If you know the parent
It's easy to read their children" Agai,
he Iapsed into silence, nodding to him
self yes. nature mixes her prescriu
lions like any druggist. I'm glad yo
and Ed-have no babies.
Alaire murmured something unintel
SIgibie.
CHAPTER v.