The Ordway new era., 1919-07-11
CHAPTER !.
An Error RectIHed.


the wax tapers in the massive candle
sticks. having placed bottle and glasses
upon the great mahogany table, to-
bacco and papers upon the small ma
hogany table. withdrew silently, as
was his way, swiftly, as was his train
Ing.
His old master, Senior don Antonio
de la Guerra, looking as genuinely an
tique in his old-fashioned black coat,
small, high-heeled boots and curled
white hair and mustache as any ar
ticle of the antique furniture In the
vast drawing room of the hacienda.
turned his lively black eyes upon his
guest.
"You Will forgive the rudeness of
an old man. Senor Dempton," he said
softly, his English perfect, his utter
ance still the honeyed speech of Cas-
tile, "but may ask you to understand
that / know nothing Of what you
Amerlcanos call business7 And that
L have no wish to learn? That Is why
I place these matters In the hands of
an attorney" He bowed after ehe way
of the old school, and ended, smiling,
-'In the hands of a thoroughly compe-
tent attorney, senor."
Dempton, a little man with rest
less, nervous manner and eyes like a
rats, shifted in his chair, cleared his
throat and thanked his patron, looking
pleased on the whole.
"Ths is a very important matter,
Mr.. de Ia Guerra" he offered, trifle
hestantly and with keen eyes upon
his host.
"TO be sure" the old man cut in
impatiently, though with no lessening
of the courtesy of his speech. "A will
is always important"
He leaned forward, poured himself
glass of the red southern wine, lift
ed 1t so that the still candle flames
shone In 1t brightly, and drank slowly.
Already Dempton had been asked to
drink, as he was always asked when
he came to the Rancho de 10 Guerra !;
already he had refused, as he always
refused.
The old man set down his glass and
took tobacco and fine white paper from
the tray upon the smaller table. his
steady. slim white hands making the
cigarette swiftly.
''You say Senior Dempton," he said
when he had lighted n paper lighter
at the nearest candlestick. "that you
have found flaw in the original
Wilt"
''Yes, SIR" Dempton spoke hurried.
Iy and ran on very much after the
manner of schoolboy who has gotten
his lesson by heart and wants to SAY
1T before he forgets
"Only small matter, technical
error. which might never be noticed
And yet there is risk-there is dan
ger that the will might eventually be
set aside; because of 1t that your de-
sires might come to naught; in word
that the Senorita Teresa, whom you
wish to make your sole legatee, might
never come into the fortune you have
willed to her. have thought 1t best
sir, to draw up new document"
''You have done so?" inquired the
uId Spaniard, his eyes musingly upor
the thin wisp of smoke from the ciga
rette.
"Yes" Dempton slipped a rec
hand into his breast pocket. "If yOl
will read 1t and sign 1t. sir-if we cal
get the matter settled right away. de
;xtroying the original documents"
"The details, Senior Dempton,
trust / may leave with you." De Ii
Guerra waved white hand gracefully
You have attended to my business TO
me for seventeen years now. and
have never found cause for criticism.
"You do not even care to have m
20 into detail concerning the fay
which allowed to creep inF
Dempton hnd leaned forward n littl
in his chair. his eager eyes upon tn
Others. De Ia Guerra laughed softl
and shook mis- head.
"You would force me to appear stu
pid." He put his hand upon the bel
cord hanging from the edge Of tn
big table and a bell tinkled from be
yond the door. Let me have the pc
pos, YOU wish me to sign"
Pedro brought pen ana fna. retreat