The Coolidge examiner., 1933-01-27
CHAPTER Vl-Continued

He was about six feet tall. strongly
built. 1.-THE and graceful. His
complexion was a reddish brown, a
most agreeable color-scheme when
taken In conjunction with crinkly
jet-black hair and large. black.
snappy eyes. BLACK lrish." Ro-
ber,a reflected noting his thick. al
most snubby nose. the broad upper
hp and the square jowls. THE very
worst kind of Irish -
Yes. | am Jim Higgins" Don
Jaime admitted. without particle
or shame or embarrassment. and
from the infection of his voice,
from a certain faint clipped man.
ner OF slurring his consonants. Ro-
berta knew that Spanish was this
mans tongue. 1T was my misfor-
tune To be the instrument Of an in
scrutable fate that waited your de
lectahle uncle TO his mansion in the
skies"
HAS anybody ever told you what
cool scoundrel you are. Mr.. Hig-
gins? DO you enjoy killing menT
"oh. no! Not even In self-de-
fense."
Roberta had n feeling that she
was not going TO make much prog
ress in the face of the mans debo-
nair indifference.
"Whaf do you mean by trying TO
shoot my foremanT
why. it's the open season on
sheepherders We're allowed one a
day. and old Dingle Bell is the first
I've flushed in week"
Hell be the last you'll flush in
many years If there is such thing
as law and Justice In Texas"
"Oh. we're we're law-abiding. in
deed. Very few of us on this side
of the Rio Grande kin for pleasure
or profit. You're going to have me
arrested. presume"
Il certainly am"
"Well. when the warrant Is Is
sued the sheriff will telephone me
about II and tell me To come In and
talk IL over. BY the way. what are
you doing around here. anyway? Is
II your intention To camp all night
on this platform or were you ex-
pecting somebody 10 call for you? Is
1t possible that In moment of ex-
uherance | frightened Dingle Bell
away and thus deprived you of your
transportation"
'NO. I'll excuse you Of leaving us
stranded. Mr.. Dingle would have
departed in a little while. but not
50 precipitately. do not mind tell.
ing YOU that we are waiting for Don
Jaime Miguel Higuenes to send a
car over for US. DO you know Don
Jaime;"
I've known him all my life"
"What sort Of man is he?"
'We-ell. average, I'd call him
Just fair sample of greaser.
Folks in this country don't seem TO
mind having him around. Are you
certain Don Jaime knew you were
due here today?"
"Why, wrote him week ago. {"
We'll. the hair must have slipped
somewhere or he'd have had a car
here to meet you-yes. and light
motor truck for your baggage One
thing Higuenes prides himself on
is his punctuality and hospitality.
I'm very much afraid. Mees-I mean
Miss-Antrim. that unless | get
word TO Don Jaime that you're
here. the station master will have
TO take you in. And | know he isn't
equipped for company"
Roberta's troubled gaze met the
young mans with just a hint of toll
erance now. Il suppose you have
your humane moments, Mr.. Higgins.
Remember. however, | am certainly
going TO prosecute you for the at
tempted murder of Mr.. Dingle. so
don't tangle yourself up In rash
promises 10 render first aid. You
may send word to Senior Higuenes
II you wish. but all it will avail
you is my thanks"
"You may even omit the thanks" ("
he replied brightly. II am delight.
ed to have an opportunity to with.
draw from your peppery presence.
so with yonr permission. senorita, I
shall ride swiftly TO the humble
abode Of this fellow Higuenes and
tell him to beat 1t over here like
the devil with his car"
Again his hat swept the platform.
before he climbed down and limped
to his horse. spoke few words to
the boy who was waiting there for
him. and set off down the road al a
smart gallop.
There goes the handsomest, most
cultured. most interesting ruffian
any woman will ever meet" RO-
berta declared. Il do hope his lame
ness will not be permanent"
Hes marvellous. gorgeous.
breathed Mignon. Il wonder why
he doesn't go in the movies"
MIR. Higgins ought to get along
beautifully in that profession" Ro-
berta sighed. He certainly has ad-
mirable control of his temper.
aaulip't Saau, tn ipcui@ hin,