The Pulaskian., 1919-05-09

an inauspicious day for Mrs. Hardin's visit. Things had gone wrong. Vex- ations were piling up. A tilt with Har- din that morning, a telegram from Marshall; he was feeling sore. Des- perately they needed labor. Wooster had just reported, venomously, 1t ap- peared to Richards spleen, increasing drunkenness among the Indians.
 Gerty's ruffles swept in. Her dress, the blue null with the lace medallions, accented the hue of her eyes, and looked delieiously cool that glaring desert day. Her parasol, of pongee, was lined with the same baby hue. Her dainty fairness and childish af- liability should have made an oasis in that strenuous day, but Richards dis integration of temper was too com plete. He rose stiffly to meet her, and his manner demanded her errand.
 She told 1t to him, plaintively. Her eyes were appealing, infantile. Would it be too much to ask, would Fir. Rickard mind in the least, he must De PCALCSltJ 1Adhh dl1O LCAl AACI IL 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 men2
 "Surely" Rickard met it heartily. She would find it rough, but if she could stand 1t, yes. he thought It a good idea.
 And then there was nothing for her to do but go. Her retreat was grace full, without haste, dignified. She smiled a 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 to be at his work.
 He let out growl when Mrs. Har- din was out of earshot
 "Shucks What in Halifax do wom- en come to a place like this fort 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 a procession of boxes of choice Havanas-from Rode. feldt, Hamlin and the rest of the gang. He need not buy smoke for year.
 Rickard threw himself back in his chair. 'sTake this letter, MacLean. Tc Marshall" Then his worry diverted him. "Who in thunder is selling liquor to my Indians"
 "Hold on; that letter can walt. 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 tragic whisper, a ghastly twilight of suggestion, came to their knock, and unbarred the gate for the white strangers. Mystery hung over the in closure like a 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 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 senor must be patient; his hands were so full.
 Both men were glad to get away from the place and Maldonado. Ob- viously he was a brute; undoubtedly he was a liar.
 CHAPTER XIII.