Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1938-01-21

Domingo Ruiz was found" said
Ruth slowly, "shot through the head,
at dawn, hardly hundred yards from
the hacienda at Santa Catalina. Yes
terday afternoon, quite late, some one
else was shot at and left for dead
about a mile over at Las Ciebas. In
view of the fact that it was my father
hasn't it occurred to you that might
kill you at any moment, Don Miguel 2"
Don Miguel turned his head slowly,
the melancholy eyes quite clear.
ever since l decided that was an
automatic in your pocket" he admit
ted. "And yet l think the danger is
slight one."
"You don't imagine I'd have any
compunction about it," asked Ruth,
surprised. "You would be dead now,
if it wasn't for the fact that the shoot
er at Las Ciebas missed"
Unexpectedly resourceful," said
Don Miguel thoughtfully. "Given thus
start, 1 began to put the most sur
prising things together. 1t was re-
ported to me that a riderless horse
came into the stables. A little later
/ heard that Mr.. Micks was in San
Mario. Other people whom I expected
to come, did not. Ramon was absent.
l found, still cropping, some surprising
things about this girl, my daughter
ln-law calls Unexpectedly resource
full That young man of the bereft
Ruiz family had seen and talked to her
before the sun was up; that she had
been to Zacarias in the morning. That
my nephew had mysteriously made
off with two horses late in the after
noon. Taken all togther, it occurred
to me that my daughter-in-law, usual
ly little unreliable, might be per-
fectly right.
"It was very quick of you," ac-
knowledged Ruth.
LET us suppose you picked up poor
Crillo-really not an unpleasant fell
low, Miss Micks."
"I'm sure he's not. I'd like to say
that he displayed good deal of cour-
age and resolution. 1 wouldn't want
you to think that he gave you away
without persuasion"
"I'm sure he didn't" allowed Don
Miguel.
"Well," he continued after a mo-
ment. 81 argued that undoubtedly you
had picked up poor Crillo and persuad-
ed him to talk. After while 1 under
stood why Ramon was absent. Infor-
nation you got out of Crillo would not
be of much value unless the witnesses
were more reputable than any kidnap-
ers it would be possible to get to-
gether so informally. AS result I
1 grasped the whole thing, Miss
Micks."
81 think you did," she admitted,
wondering. "I'm curious to know
what you're going to do about it."
"Set your mind at rest, Miss Micks.
1 rode with you this morning to make
terms with you as we'll as 1 could.
You must remember that I do not
mix personal feeling in such matters.
I allow myself, with your permission,
the luxury of admiring you, Miss
Micks. I am fortunately well-to-do
enough to pay for it."
"Thank you, sir"
Don Miguel held up his hand. First
of all, I imagine you will require
sum of money. A thousand dollars"
tsFive hundred only" admitted
Ruth.
GIN regard to your captious parents,
if you'll excuse the adjective, I am
really put in a difficult position. 1t
looks very much as though I would
have to lose my Mill Superintendent,
since if accept your fathers embar-
rassingly accurate report, shall have
to discharge Mr.. Arnold for incompe-
tence. We will have an understanding
about that, and in year or so, no
doubt he can resume his excellent
work at some Central not directly
mine, but where I might have in
fluence. Mr.. Arnold we have always
found more adaptable, more willing to
cooperate than your violently pre-
JUDGED father. I am sure that it can
be accomplished without hard feel
ings. 1t will be expensive, Miss
Micks, but one pays for ones luxuries
after all. My plans in regard to Cen
trail Baria may even have to be aban-
doned. It would be, fear, vulgar of
me to give you an estimate in figures
of what my amiable nephew's devotion
to you will finally cost. You may be
sure, however, that it is eloquently
of YOUR ability to work in the grand