The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1933-02-23
CHAPTER VI-continued

,or did the pleasant smile that had
crinkled his undeniably cookbook,
ino countenance fade the slightest.
roberta made swift appraisal of him.
He was about six feet tall, strongly
bnilt. 1.-THE and graceful. His
complexion was a reddish brown, a
most agreeable color-scheme when
token In conjunction with crinkly
iet.black hair and large, black.
snappy eyes. 'Black lrish," Ro-
berta reflected, noting his thick, al
most snubby nose, the broad upper
LID and the square jowls. 1.-THE very
worst kind of Irishl !"
ayes, l am Jim Higgins" Don
Jaime admitted. without particle
of shame or embarrassment. and
from the infection of his voice,
from certain faint clipped man
ner of slurring his consonants. Ro-
berta knew that Spanish was this
mans tongue. sit was my misfor-
tune to be the instrument of an In
scrutable fate that waited your de-
lectable uncle to his mansion In the
Skies" II. ~
"Has anybody ever told you what
a cool scoundrel you are, MIR. Hig-
gins? DO you enjoy killing menu
"Oh. no! Not even in self-de-
fense."
Roberta had a feeling that she
was not going to make much prog
ress in the face of the mans debo-
nair Indifference.
"What do you mean by trying TO
shoot my foreman?"
''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 a week."
Hell be the last you'll flush In
many years If there is sllch thing
as law and justice in Texas"
"Oh. we're very law abiding, in
deed! Very few of us on this side
of the Rio Grande kill for pleasure
or profit. You're going to have me
arrested. presume"
II certainly am"
"Well. when the warrant Is is
sued the sheriff will telephone me
about it and fell me to come in and
talk it over. By the way. what are
you doing around here. anyway? Is
it your intention to camp all night
on thiss platform or were you ex-
pecting somebody TO call for you? Is
1t possible that in a moment of ex.
uberance 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 little while. but not
so precipitately. do not mind tell
ing yon 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 hep"
Well. average. I'd call him
just a 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 t0day?"
"Why wrote him week ago"
SWELL the hair must have Slipped
somewhere or he'd have had q car
here to meet you-yes. and a light
motor truck for your baggage. One
thing HigIenes prides himself on
Is his pnncfnality 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"
R0berfa's troubled gaze met the
young mans with just hint of toll
GRANGE now. II suppose you have
your humane moments, Mr.. Higgins
= Remember. however. I am certainly
gong to prosecute you for the at
tempted murder of Mr. Dingle. so
don't tangle yourself up in rash
promises to render first aid. You
may send word ia Senior Higuenes
II you wish. hut all 1t will avail
you Is my thanks" ~
You may even omit the thanks"
ne replied brightly ~ am delight.
gu 10 nave an opportunity to with
uia" from your peppery presence.
Win your permission senurita. [
shail ride swiftly to rhe humble
anode of this fellow Higuenes and
.eii MIN to beat IT over here like
the devil with his car"
again his hat swept the PLATFORM
oeiore he climbed down and limped
)" MS horse. spoke few words to
e nay who was waiting there for
nun and Set off down the road ar a
smart gallop.
i"ere goes the handSomest. most
u'''red. most interesting rutfian
al! woman will ever meet" Rn
lid declared. II do hope his lame.
:. ~ Will not be permanent"
mes mes marvellous. gorgeous. I"
ptea.hed Mignon. Il wonder whv
" uoesnt go in the movies"