The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1919-04-25
CONTINUED From Tuesday,
CHAPTER XXI.
A Visit to Maldonado.

satisfactory. She had found the man.
ager brief to curtness. She was given
no excuse to linger. She traced Rick
ards manner to the presence Of Mac
Lean, and snatched at her cue. She,
too, could be businesslike and brief.
Her errand was Of business; her man.
ner SHOULD recommend her!
Richard had seen her making
straight toward the 'ramada. 1t was
not the first time; her efforts to line
her nest had involved them all and
often. But today, he was in a bad
humor. |
"For the Lords sake" he groaned
TO MacLean as she approached.
MacLean's grin covered relief. He had
never heard Rickard express himself
sn the subject before. "The dead-set
Hardin's wife was making at Casey"
was the choice gossip and speculation
of the young engineers on the Delta.
MacLean had bet up on the outcome.
He grinned more securely.
81 am not going to spare any more
carpenters" growled Rfckard. 1t was
an inausylcious day for Mrs. 'Hardin's
visit. Things had gone wrong. FeS-
atoms were piling up. A tilt with Har.
din that morning, telegram fror
Marshall; he was feeling sore. Des
perately they needed labor. Wooste
had just reported, venomously, 1t ap
,peared to Richards spleen. increasing
drunkenness among the Indians.
Gerty's ruf1es swept in. Her dress
the blue null with the lace medallions
accented the hue Of her eyes, ant
looked deliciously cool that. glarini
; desert day. Her parasol, Of pongee
was lined with the same baby hue
;Her dainty fairness and. childish at
liability should have made an oasis IL
that strenuous day, but Richards dis
integration of temper was too com
plete. he rose stif1y to meet her, ant
his manner demanded her eA and.
She told it to him, plaintiA ily. Hel
eyes were appealing, infantile. Would
it be too much to ask, wou'd MIR
Rickard mind in the least, he m st bt
perfectly frank and tell her If they
would be in the way at all, but while
this hot spell lasted, could they, the
three of them, eat in the mess tent
with the men? -
"Surelyw Rickard met it heartily
She would find. it rough, but If she
could stand it, yes, he thought it 8
good idea.
And then there was nothing for hel
to do but go. Her retreat was grace.
full, without haste, dignified. She
smiled q farewell at MacLean, who
was watching the approach Of Innes
Hardin and Estrada. Rickard did not
see the aborted entrance of Hardin's
sister and the young Mexican. he
was itching be at his work. .-
I, He let out a growi when Mrs: Har'
din was out Of earshot.
&: "Shucks! What in Halifax do WON.
en- come to place like this for?
There's Hardin-brings in two women
to cook for him, and now, please may
they all eat with the men?"
His secretary subdued a chuckle.
He was visualizing procession Of
boxes Of choice Havanas-from Bode-
feldt, Hamlin and the crest of the
gang. He need not buy a smoke for
q year.
Rickard threw himself back in his
chair. 'eTake this letter, MacLean. To
Marshall" Then his worry diverted
him. "Who in thunder is selling liquor
to my Indiansf'
"Hold on; that letter can wait. You
get the horses up, MacLean, and we'll
ride down to Maldonado's. It's his
place to stop this liquor business, not
mine"
A few hours later they were ap-
preaching the adobe walls of Maldo.
nado. They found the gate locked. A
woman, whose beauty had faded into
a tragic wh.tper, ghastly twilight of
suggestion, came to their knock, and
unbarred the gate for the white
strangers. Mystery hung over the in
closure like pail.
Rickard told his errand. Maldonado
sputtered and swore. By the mother
Of Mary the Virgin, that thing would
be stopped. He showed to the senors,
with pride, his badge. He was q ru-
rale; he was there to uphold the law.
He had caught some of those drunken
Indians on the road. He. had brought
them here.
Maldonado showed three men in a
locked shed, deep in drunken stupor.
He thought the liquor was obtained
somewhere back In the sandhills. He
would find the place. But the senior
must be patient; his hands were so
full.
Both men were glad to get away
from the place and Naldonado. OBJ
steasay he was . brute; undoubtedly
Ss was . bsn