Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1938-01-14
COCKPIT
By James Gould CozzenS

something which was almost her whole
life, and good part of yours, because
you made a mistake about me. And
what are you going to do now 2"
"I'm going to marry you," he said
doggedly. Ruth, honey"
"I'm sorry" she said.
She arose and went out. He follow
ed her quickly and they passed in sill
ence out the back gate, down toward
the road to the little plaza and the
offices.
"You know, of course, she said,
they're right, those people"
what people?"
"The ones who say Pm having an
affair with him."
81 don't know why you're saying
this" said Mr.. Nortz, "but I know it
isn't true"
"I'm not liar, Maurice"
"You mean," said Mr.. Nortz ponder
ously, "you really are-his mistress ?"
eff you like DEAR"
They came past the corner of the
Casa Vivienda gardens, and there was
still a light on in the offices. wait
just moment" said Ruth.
She left him going up the steps
Mr.. Nortz stood still at the corner,
nerveless. Her return made him
start.
Something happened at Santa Gaia
lima tonight" said Ruth troubled
Daddy went. He shouldn't have
He. ;"
They moved mechanically down the
avenue parallel to the railroad tracks.
81 tried to telephone him." she said
disjointedly, "they couldn't get con-
nection."
81 guess" said Mr.. Nortz suddenly,
otis all right"
what Maurice?"
"You and Ramon. 1 guess you
wouldn't do it if it weren't all right. -
She looked at him mutely.
"But you didn't tell me that be-
cause you thought it would make me
love you less, did your"
81 suppose so. 1t wasn't fair to you"
"Well, love you more"
She answered nothing.
,'Of course" he said painfully. 81
know you can't marry me. Not be-
cause of anything with Ramon. didn't
mean that. Some one better than Ra-
mon and me. You're wonderful, Ruth
"No dear. Listen"
"What?"
81 mean, listen. It's a train.'
"a train.
eyes dear. They're switching it up.
1t must be Don Miguel"
81 thought he was in America. Mr..
Nortz murmured dazed.
She stood there simply in the shad-
ows and silence, listening.
He turned slowly. might I kiss
you?" he asked.
Eyes, Maurice"
He released her. "And l just wanted
to tell you," he said, "that-that no
one will ever know. What you've told
me, mean. That is
"Thank you, Maurice"
A sense of the fatuousness of them
both, of irony, of cruel, devasting
laughter welled up in her.
Hilario Ruiz came to Santa Cata-
lima Christmas night.
He drove his Ford expertly over
what was in no sense a road, merely
bride trail and he drove without
lights. By accident he stumbled on
Hermano.
He put shaky hand on Hilarios
arm. "a Mexican Asesino!" The grin
and vicious humor of his earlier days
returned. You might in Hermano's
leering opinion call him matador-
in this case a man-killer.
HE is in the pay of some big COM
pany," decided Hermano, who was still
jealous of his reputation as an expert
in all sinister matters. "Some one dies
tonight, chico, some one dies tonight"
This "asesino," this paid Mexican
assassin, had, to be sure recognized a
true "hombre" in Hermano. He hadn't
made any secret of his errand. "No
reason why he should" said Hermano.
I'm the first place he could trust me
as man of honor. In the second place
his company would take care of him."
}. Hermano said with a lick of his lips,
HE was bound for some mud hole
back in the cane called Santa Cata-
lima"
Hilario set out for Santa Catalina