The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1923-04-12
CHAPTER IL
ACl,lin Meets Iiodiue

In thinly settled country. where
every mans movements are marked.
news spreads quickly People talked
and wondered about Bodino
or an those who watched and Won
dered. no one was more interested
than Dick Acklin. the Big Boss OF
the Double a, He had beon quite
content TO sec old man Webster so,
For ten years the Double A had talk
en- both lis own and his share OF
water from Rebel creek.
lie stood IL as long as no could
and then. instead OF boarding Bodino,
he rode 20 the Rancho Bucna Vista
90 see the Senior Arrascada. Jose
was the most powerful OF tho Basque
genie.
The quiet, half .darkcned house was
"a relief TO Acklin after the noisc and
glare OF the Bulls Head. jose led
him TO the patio. whore cool zcphyrs
seemed etornRlly playing Tho old
man olapped his hands. and tho
wrinkled. loathory Mariana. his mo1o.
or housc-boy. came on the run. Jose
sent him FOR refreshments
''Ily the way" and Acklin'a big.
blue eyes contracted until they
seemed to shade 10 gray. have you
seen the fellow who bought tho old
Webster plaoe7"
Several times He's here today.
down at the corral Esteban and the
vaaueros are breaking horses
A little tot OF 6, unnoticcd by them
as they talked. had felt his way upon
the ycranda He was a beautiful
child His brown. staring eyes made
mute appeal 10 friend and foe,
For close to five years, jose had
been both fathff and mother 10 the
little blind Basilio.
From tho fence at the end OF the
patio, maybe scolded In raucouH
tones. Ba&lio knew that particular
maggie, In a flash no slid Off the
steps and ran down tho Eravoled
walk OF the patio.
When he had almost reached the
fRa,nesa OF the vine-oovcred fence. a
black head bohbod up beyond II. and
calling again. dashed up side-path
OF the garden. with tho hoy In keen
pursuit, II was the Senorita Mer-
cedea.
In answcr TO her fathers call sho
came up the steps trucuientiy. the
boy hanging on 70 the ribbons OF her
dress
Tho old Basque caught up Banilio
and said goodbye 10 his guest. plead
Ing the need OF his presence else
whore. JOSH knew that extreme
youth and old age are not hand maid
ems 10 love.
Acklin held up n small package.
He waved Il in front OF her eyes, an
one docn With toy for n child. Mer-
ecdes elapped her hands ioyfuliy.
You Ike me 30 much. mister
She said.
''Yoa know I do. This little pres
cnt came all the way from tho city"
CITY" In that country meant San
Francisco.
Prom the tissue paper. Mercedes
drew forth a tiny vanity cnse.
Shn tried 10 release the small COM
partment that held tho powder puff
Aekhn reached out his hand 70 help
her. Ehs felt his fingrra prrsr,ng
her own In a fash shn jcrked her
hand away.
You're foxy. huh. IKE the sener
Bciine7'' she cried
'oh. damn Bodino.- Ackiin ranped
out
"Eayestroppsrz hear no good Of
Themselves" a voice answered In
unctuoua sweetness
Mercedes ard Acklln .urned. Bo-
dine lounged axaius, n pillar n, the
end Of tho veranda.
Il surc didn't know was intrud-
Ing on any party. ssnorita l Just
came up 10 ray good bye. broke that
bad gray for Esteban That cabailo1l
BE- gentle enough for you 10 ride
now"
Acklln got 10 his feet
Well. guess I'll get my hat and
run along" he said. In that tired way
which was common with him.
which way you golng7" Bodins
asked
Back TO the Bulls Head"
-I'll side you as far as the Web
s,er. II you have no objection"
mo harm In that" Acklln m
swered. Come along