The Kenna record. (Kenna, Roosevelt County, N.M.) 190?-1924, 1921-01-14

when you order the tea" he said
very distinctly, please have mine
cold. 1 need a bracer after that. Take
the ten. You've won 1t"
Thanks, ever so much" she an
swered in a matter-Of-fact tone, and
tucked the bill inside her shirtwalst.
Il am a very poor woman, and
Every little bit added to what you've
got makes just a little bit more," she
caroled, swaying her 1.-THE, beautiful
body and swapping her fingers like
cabaret dancer.
He could have groaned with the
futility of his overwhelming desire for
her; it even occurred to him what
shame 1t was to waste a marvel like
her on callow young pup like Billy,
who had fought so many deadly skirm-
ishes with Dan Cupid that a post
impressionistic painting Of the Geary
heart must resemble d plncushion.
Then he remembered that this was an
ungenerous, a traitorous thought, and
that he had not paid the lady her fee.
"Well, what's the tariffT he asked.
"You really feel that / have earned
a professionals fee7"
Beyond a doubt"
"Slnce you have taken Billy away
from me this evening, shall make
you take Billy's place this evening.
After dinner you shall hire an open
victoria with two little white horses
and drive me around the Malecon.
There is a band concert tonight"
eff it's the last act Of my wicked
life !" he promised fervently. Strange
to relate, In that ecstatic moment no
thought Of Billy Geary marred the per-
feet serenity Of what promised to be
the most perfectly serene night in his
tory.
They were seated at the tiny tea
table when the sound Of feet crunch
ing the little shell-paved path through
the patio caused Webster and Dolores
to turn their heads simultaneously
Coming toward them was an indlvid-
ual who wore upon head of flaming
red disreputable, conical-crowned
straw sombrero; a solled cotton
camisa with the tails flowing free of
his equally soiled khaki trousers, and
sandals Of the kind known as alpar-
gates-made from the tough fibre of a
plant Of the cactus family and worn
only by the very lowliest peons-com-
pleted his singular attire.
zone of Billys friends and another
reason why he has no social standing
Dolores whispered. 81 believe he's go
ing to speak to u.s."
Such evidently appeared to be the
mans intention. He came to the
edge of the veranda,A swept his ruin
{ of hat from his red head and bowed
with Castillan responsiveness.
"Yer pardon, Miss, for appearin' be-
fore you"
She smiled her forgiveness to what
Webster now perceived to be an
alcoholic wreck. He was about to
dismiss the fellow with scant cere-
mony when Dolores, with that rich
sense of almost masculine humOr-
humor that was distinctly American
said sweetly:
"Mr. Webster, shake hands with Don
Juan Cafetero, bon vivant and man
about town. Don Juan, permit me to
present Mr.. Webster, from somewhere
in the United States. Mr.. Webster Is
a mining partner of our mutual friend
Mr.. William Geary."
A long. sad descent into the Pit had
however, lmbued Don Juan with q
sense of his degradation; he was IN
i, the presence of a superior, and he &C
knowledged the Introduction with 9
respectful inclination of his head
'"Tis you I've called to see, Misthel
Webster, sOr." he explained.
every wen, oId-timer. In what way
can be Of service to yOuT
'"Tis the other way around, sor, Il
, ye PLACE, an for that same there's nj
Charge, seein' ye're the partner az
that fine, kind glntleman, Misthel
Geary. Did ye, whilst In New Orleans
, have d'allngs wit a short shtOu
spiggoty wit a puckered scar undhel
/, his right eyer
John Stuart Webster suddenly sal
. up straight and gazed upon the los
son OF Erin with grave interest. Eyes,
he replied. II seem to recall such I
man."
"Tls none av me business, sor, bu
would ye mind tellin' me just what y
did to that spiggotyf
"Why, to begin, last Sunday morn
ing interrupted this ppeker-eyed Eel
low and a pop-eyed friend OF his whil'
engaged In an attempt 70 aasassinate I
white, inoffensive stranger. The FOL