The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1919-07-31

"G00d afternoon, Mr.. Dempton,'
said the rancher pleasantly. "Thert
Is no conspiracy on our part. We
merely wish to ask you a few ques
tons, even to give you a chance to set
out Of this mess skin-whole. Sit down
The senorita will be here In a mo
ment."
The door opened and Teresa came
In. She nodded brightly at Stairway
bestowed q look upon Vidal which
plunged him into an ecstasy of delight
and with no word to Dempton went to
Stanway,s side.
Have I kept you waltingT' she
asked.
"No. I came in just q second be.
fore you" He drew out a chair for
her and turned to Vidal. svidal, we
have a few words to say to Mr.. Demp.
ton. VIII you wait In the patio? J
shall call you when we want you"
"Dempton," Stairway went on, "whai
passed between you and the Senior de
la Guerra last nightY'
"He sent for me to make a change
In his WILL" said Dempton glibly. "Ht
gave no reasons for what lie was do.
ing. although he must have noted my
surprise"
"Did you know that he has been
engaged during several years on his
memoirsT"
Dempton, a lawyer trained to ask
just such questions nj that, looked at
Stairway quickly, suspiclcusly. He
hesitated a moment before answering.
II have heard him speak Of It,"
Stairway smiled at the girl, which
she returned, and Dempton, plainly
puzzled, watched them closely.
"The law Is rather severe in the
punishment 1t metes out to kidnapers
Is 1t not, Mr.. Dempton7"
eyes"
"There Is what you men Of the law
term an accessory before the fact?f
Certainly" snapped the lawyer.
"But IL you care to consult me in q
legal capacity"
II don't" lightly. 1--WE are sendina
for Mr.. Branson Of Branson & How.
ard to advise u.s."
Dempton's tongue ran back ano
forth between his dry lips.
snow" went on Stanley. withou,
waiting for an answer, I"how much
money did Tore pay you for your
partT"
Again Dempton had leaped to his
feet, his face flushed, his eyes ablaze
you mean to inslnuate--"
'Sit DOWN." Stairway caught him
by the shoulders and drove him back
into his chair. did you know that
after you had gone and before he was
spirited away Senior de la Guerra
added certain notes to his memoirs? p
what r you driving att" fumed
Dempton.
Stairway stepped to the door.
"Vidal," he called, "Mr. Dempton
will remain here in the library. You
will see that he does not grow lone
somef Bueno." He came back to
Dempton's side and added quietly: II
am driving ut this: the senior made
certain observations upon the charac-
ter of Americanos. He mentioned the
fact that a certain man had just cams
and gone whom he did not trust; he
stated why that mar had come; he
mentioned a flaw that that man had
pretended to find Ali" as q look
of sudden understanding and a quick
fear with 1t leaped into Dempton's
small eyes. snow you see? Shall we
leave Shem, senorita 2"
TERESA stepped through the door.
Stairway following and closing 1t
after them.
"We'H have him scared out Of his
life In no time" he chuckled. by to-
morrow morning he'll be ready to tell
everything he knows If wen just
promise him twenty-four hours to dig
out In"
You are very wonderful, Senior
Binyi"
The look she flashed him was .un-
mistakably full of gratitude; and his
leaping hope sought to read something
else In 1t.
"Teresita |" he whispered.
But she had slipped from him.
laughing, and a lacy mantilla was in
HIS hands, and from the far side of
the room, as she whisked into the hall
way. she waited him q kiss from her
pink finger tips.
'Teresita r.. he urged.
But the door had closed.
And" he muttered. his eyes dark.
enins, safter all, when ! ind her paps
grande for her he's just going to run
me on the ranchol Unless BY
Jupitcri I've a notion to do itr
He was thinking Of Padre Ignacio
the priest at La Panza.