Nogales international., 1934-02-03

hill she went to the top, eagerly scan
ming the neW-made horizon.
| She knew that the Mexicans were
praying for rain-she had given them
all the candles in the house for the
sacred picture they had hung in the
barn. And once she had entered the
gulch after a calf, which had gone
through the fence, and upon the rock
had found a grotesque little mud image
holding a tiny pot of cornmeal. Ann
did not reply when Ruth asked her
about it; but the girl had come to
know the footprints of the giantess.
There came a day when the water
in the south pasture had shrunk to a
thin sheet of wet mud. Then Ruth
knew that the end had come; with the
| full herd trying to water at the home
ranch where there was barely enough
for half, there could be only one result.
If no rain came within a week ths
cattle would begin dying by dozens
For the last few days as she watched
the water so relentlessly disappear,
Ruth thought less about meeting her
note and more about the cattle them
selves. The tears often started in her
eyes these days. When the girl came
upon gaunt COW lying in the sitting
shade at the bottom of some gully,
with a shriveled, painting calf at her
side, she wanted desperately to explain
to these poor creatures that she could
not help, that she was not to blame.
When the last Of the wafer was gone
in the south pasture, Ruth felt that
she would gladly give every animal on
the place to any one who could take
them to green fields and running water.
Feeling as she did, the blow which fell
on the following mail day was robbed
a little of its power to hurt.
She had written a letter to Parker
explaining the situation and thanking
him for his previous offer to extend
payment. And although Old Charley
would be bringing the mail and would
not be going into town again until next
week, the girl rode to the box.
But the mail had already arrived
when she reached the box. There were
two letters addressed to her. The one
with the earliest postmark was from
Parker who explained that for busi-
ness reasons he had been obliged to
take loan ON the note 1t was now
in the hands Of J. H. Witherspoon,
Inc, broker. The second letter was
from the broker. After reading it the
girl stared at the cloudless skyline,
then rode home. Her lips were set and
her face shone yellow under the tan.
Consequently, the cattle situ-
alton being what it is owing to the
present drouth we feel it necessary to
call payment on the note when due;
| namely, November first, next"
"Well," said Will, there's one thing
certain-When the rains hold off as
long as this they make up for it when
they do begin
Again, Ruth shook her head
Old Charley studied for moment,
then slowly climbed out Of the car.
Will followed. I've seen some pretty
bad times mended," remarked the cid
man. Things most always seem worse
than what they are. But pshaw--we're
bound to get rain before long and
when we do, it'll likely be a good one,
same as Will says"
The last pond went dry week
ago" said Ruth duly.
Old Charley tried not to show his
surprise. so? We'll, they'll get
little thin waterin' at the well, but il
won't hurt them
"Oh!" Ruth suddenly turned away.
After a moment she said slowly, Il
gave my note to Parker for the cattle
my interest in the ranch will be gone
by November-there's no water--the
cattle will be dying in another week"
Another week !" Both men stared
at the girl. You must be wrong"
said Old Charley.
"No. +h4 1T. 0o;>-cr drv-it gives