Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-22

pocket. He Is kind and friendly and
thoughtful and wants to help q person
he has never seen, and he is q man of
substance and takes justifiable pride
in his personal and financial standing. "
"Oh, those Spanish dons are as proud
as Lucifer," Crooked Bill assured her.
He Is also good-natured and easy
Nhimself with the probably thankleSs
task of protecting the interests of a
stranger-and an American at that.
Probably he acted thus because am a
woman, which proves he is gallant a.
\ chivalrous.
"A sort of knight Crooked
\ Bill murmured maliciously, and Hackett
shot him a look of displeasure.
We'll, MexicanS, of whatever class,
lare very polite to lady. They always
make a great to-do about women. The
lchances are this Higuenes is an edu-
Gated halfbreed Aztec Indian"
/ 1t don't believe it." Roberta declared
with conviction. I'm sure he's pure
\ Castilian and most delightful"
Probably older than Cortez," Crooked
bill hazarded.
Nonsense, Uncle Bill He's young /;
of course he is. There's note of care
Hess youth in his telegram, and I'm sur
lprised that you have overlooked 1t. He
lis very handsome, with raven-black
hair and white teeth. He is about
feet tall, has small hands and feet and
tSings and plays the guitar under ladies
Windows. When he greets lady he
Ibows over her hand and kisses it, OH
so lightly and respectfully I adore
men like that"
Glenn Hackett f1dgeted uncomfort-
ably. He knew he was under fire, but
from ambush. However, he decided to
try a chance shot. IF he should ever
meet you. Bobby, he would undoubtedly
fall in love with you, and, of course
you'd tease him on for the mere joy of
Pthe conquest, and when he awakened
\ to the true state of affairs his love
would turn to hatred and he'd tuck you
away in the local cemetery with your
late Uncle Tom"
That's right, Hackett. A girl can't
play fast and loose with her Mexican
sweetheart. They have their women
Il the way they should go. I wish Hig-
luenes had informed us who killed Cock
Robin. He merely says it was a cow
man."
Il wonder if he got hurt?" Roberta
murmured.
Does it matter particularly" For a
reason he had not even tried to analyze
\ but which had been born of a subcon-
,scious resentment of the man who had
made it possible to interject Jaime Mig
uel HigueneS into Roberta Antrim's
thoughts, Glenn Hackett spoke.
Ten thousand cunning impS peeped
for an instant from Crooked Bills old
eyes mo. he didn't get hurt-at least
not badly"
How do you know" Hackett de-
manded. and Roberta looked at her
uncle inquiringly.
II don't know. just feel it, bud.
Did ever tell you that am the sew
enth son of seventh son and that I
was born with veil?"
No. you did not, and this is the first
I have heard of it." Roberta chal-
lenged. Il believe you know Jaime
Miguel Higuenes."
II couldn't make an affidavit to that,
Roberta. / cannot recall having met
him or even heard of him, so help mel!
you're somewhat mysterious
That's why he's called Crooked Bill"
Hackett informed her.
I'm not at all mysterious" the old
rascal protested.
II know you're not, Uncle Bill. You're
perfectly obvious, but you adore appear
ing mysterious"
And just then the butler entered to
announce dinner.
Better reconsider your decision and
break bread with u.s." Crooked Bill
urged their guest.
yes, do" Roberta pleaded.
Thank you, think shall not"
Then to the butler.
Harms, will you be good enough to
get my hat and coat and telephone the
garage for my carp"
When Glenn Hackett's car had rolled
away down the driveway, Crooked Bill
turned to his ward. Round two for
little Bright-eyes. I'm placing my
money on the red"
Who" the girl demanded firmly, lis
Jaime Miguel Higuenos?"
Il don't know, honey. I can only
suspect, and some day I'll verify my
suspicious and tell you"
please tell me your suspicious now.
there's DEAR" and Roberta smiled her
most coaxing smile and put her arms
around Crooked Bills neck.
"Ah," he murmured, "a man can
struggle along under a mystery, but it
drives woman crazy. A moment ago
you stated I adore being mysterious,
Honey, I'm an old man with only YOU
and my love of appearing mysterious
making life worth the living, so I'll not
tell you what 1 suspect and you are
perfectly pOwerleSS to drag it out of me.
dalously, because he's much too fine a
young fellow to be accorded the same
treatment the sprays of sweet clover
you've been accustomed to, have re-
received at your hands"
Don't scold," Roberta pleaded.
Then don't try to pry out of me
things cannot tell you"
For 2 cents" Roberta threatened,
I'D go down to Los Algodones and in
ToiV
sonally."
IF you do, you'll get the surprise of
your sweet young life, my dear"
Roberta's brown eyes danced. No
body knew better than Crooked Bill how
she cherished surprises. Figuratively
speaking, she would swim a muddy river
If surprise awaited her on the oppo-
site shore.
Il think I should 30 down to Uncle