Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1932-09-01


"TTe Is also good-natured and easy.
going, otherwise he would not bother
himself with the probably thankless
task of protecting the interests Of a
stranger-and m American ut that.
Probably he acted thus because | am
woman, which proves he is gallant
and chiyalrous."
"A sort OF knight-errant." Crooked
Bill murmured malicionsly. and
Hackett shot him look of dspleas
ure. "Wel Meyicans, of whatever
class, are VERY polite TO lady. They
always make great-to.do about WON
en-. The chanreS are this Higuenes L.
an educated half-hreed Aztec Indian
I wish he had Informed us who killed
Cock Robin He merely says 1t was
q cowman."
Il wonder If he got hurt?" Roberta
mnrmured.
Does 1t matter particularly" For
a reason he had not even tried to
analyze, but which had been born Of
a subconscious resentment of the man
who had made 1t possible to interject
Jaime Miguel Higuenes into Roberta
Antrim's thoughts, Glenn Hackett
spoke.
Ten thousand cunning imps peeped
for an instant from Crooked Bits old
eyes. mo, he didn't get hurt-at
least, not very badly"
How do you known Hackett de-
manded, and Roberta looked at her
uncle inquiringly. u believe you
know jaime Higuenes."
IT couldn't make an affidavit to that,
Roberta. cannot recall having met
him or even heard of him. so help
mel"
Just then the butler entered to an.
nounce dinner. Better reconsider
your decision and break bread with
u.s." Crooked Bill urged their guest.
Eyes, 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
carr"
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, is
Jaime Miguel Hlguenes?'
Il don't know, honey. | 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 Bits neck.
"Ah," he murmured, "a man can
struggle along under mystery but II
drives woman crazy. I'll not tell
you what | suspect and you are per.
fectly powerless to drag 1t out OF me-"
For two cents" Roberta threat.
ened, I'D go down to Los Algodones
and investigate Jaime Miguel Higue-
mes personally
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.
Il think ! should go down to Uncle
Toms funeral" she suggested. I'm
the last of the Antrlms and 1t would
be rather indecent Of me to permit
strangers land not very sympathetic
strangers, fear-to bury him."
Crooked Bill was always practical,
even If mysterious. Il wouldn't do
that, honey. I'm afraid Uncle Tom
won't keep until you get there. | have
never heard Of Ice or undertakers In
Los Algodones. and as for hermetical-
ly sealed caskets. there Just aren't
any. have friend down there, how
ever, and Ill wire him to attend the
obsequies and send flowers for you
and wreath of cactus for me-"
"Why have you always dslked
Uncle Tom so?"
Because you're his niece, not mine,
and he's never showed the slightest
interest In you, except to send you
five dollars at Christmas and on your
birthdays; because staked the I'M
holy wretch In the COW business and
he sold out the cows, refused to pay
the loan, went to Mexico where
couldn't collect and set up In the
sheep business, because he was ornery
from birth and looked it. Your father
was not what would call mental
giant. Roberta. but he was kind and
amusing and on the square. whereas
your Uncle Tom was a throwback, A
black sheep"
Every family has them," the girl
defended.
well, honey, you haven't yours any
morer
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