Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1919-04-11
CHAPTER XXI.
A Visit to MaIdonado.


that afternoon was successful but not
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. It was
not the first time; her efforts to line
her nest had involved them all and
often. But today, he was in 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
on 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.
II am not going to spare any more
an inauspicious day for Mrs. Hardin's
visit. Things had gone wrong Vex-
ations were pfling 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 ruff1es swept in. Her dress,
the blue null with the lace medallions,
accented the hue of her eyes, and
looked deliciously 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
Indignation of temper was too COM
plete. He rose stiff1y to meet her, and
his manner demanded her errand.
| She told it to him, plaintively. Her
eyes were appealing, infantile. Would
it be too much to ask, would Mr..
Rickard mind in the least, he must be
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 mem
"Surelym Richard met it heartily.
She would find it rough, but if she
could stand it. 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. Richard 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.
"Shueks. What in Halifax do wom-
en- come to q place like this fori
There's Hardin-brings in two women
to cook for him, and now, please may
they all eat with the men?"
His secretary subdued chuckle
He was visualizing procession OF
boxes of choice Havanas-from Bode
feldt, Hamlin and the rest of the
gang. He need not buy smoke fol
a year
Richard threw himself back in his
chair. Take this letter, MacLean. TC
Marshall" Then his worry diverted
him. "Who in thunder is selling liquor
to my Indians?"
Hold on; that letter can wait. Yo1
get the horses up, MacLean, and wei
ride down to Maldonado's. It's hi.
place to stop this liquor business, no
mine."
A few hours later they were ap
preaching the adobe walls of Maldo
nadO. They found the gate locked
woman, whose beauty had faded int,
tragic whisper. a CHASTITY twilight o
suggestion, came to their knock, an,
unbarred the gate for the whit
strangers. Mystery hung over the in
closure like a pail.
Rickard told his errand Maldonad
sputtered and swore. By the mothe
of Mary the Virgin, that thing wou
be stopped. He showed to the senors
with pride, his badge He was ri
rale; he was there to uphold the Law
He had caught some of those drunke
Indians on the road. He had brougt
them here
MaldOnadO showed three men in
locked shed, deep in drunken stupo
He thought the liquor was obtaine
somewhere back in the sandhflls. H
would find the place. But the senc
must be patient; his hands were S
full.
Both men were glad to get ava
from the place and Maldonado. OIL
viOusly he was brute; undoubtedl
he was a liar.