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l\s' f»g« Two fT flEADT 0/&IG SUNSET t£/? REX BEACH. jiuthorof" The Spoilers" "The Iron Trail? The Silver Horde? Etc. SYNOPSIS. CHAPTER X-Set afoot and alone kr as pcMsot in tlM desert near the Rio Oru* (ML Alain Austin, mlatrcM of LH Pll aai La Foria ranches, Mito D»»J Texas Ranger, at a water hole Ml ipelled to spend the wsht there wltt as he Is In ambush tor a murdwet oaaaot leave hia poot j_CHAPT»l» U-Mtxt day at sSMrasfor appears wltb a ton I CHAPTBR III—Law capturM tho .imr but la compelled to Kill bis COL mm, Panfllo Sanchas, who happens to bt -jkoouah) of Mrs. Austin's horeebreaker, Jon Benches. CHAPTBR IV—At Las Palmas Alalr« •lis her husband, Ed, that his carousalt Inebriety must stop. Hor cattl« IMa, tbe Mexican ranch, are eon cited by Longorlo, Mexican federal ineral, and she finds that It Is id bas been belplag tbe. rebel Junta. _. pln|r (Continued) CHAPTER V. A Journey, and Dark Man. Alalre's preparations for the Journey '|0 La Ferta were made with little de sl«y Owing to the condition of affairs -.across the border, Ellsworth had thought It well to provide her with let tors from the most. Influential Mexi cans In the neighborhood what Is more. In order to pave her way toward a settlement of her claim he succeeded In getting a telegram through to Mex ico City—Ellsworth's Influence was not bounded by the Rio Grande. Alalre took Dolores with her, and for Bale escort she selected, after some deliberation, Jose Sanchez, her horse fcnalcer. Benito could not well be Spared. Sanchez had some force and Itftlatlve. at least and AI aire had no -fclasoo to doubt his loyalty. The party Went to Pueblo by motor. On the fol lowing day. Alalre secured her pass-' ports from the federal headquarter* across the Rio Grande, while Jose at .-landed to the railroad tickets. On the 'Second morning after leaving home the party was borne southward Into Mex ico. The revolution had ravaged most ol northern Mexico long rows of rusting tracks and twisted car skeletons beside the track showed how the railway'! eroding stock had suffered in this par ~ttcalar vicinity and as the train pene trated farther south temporary trestles and the charred ruins of station houses spoke even more eloquently of the Struggle. Now and then a steel watei tank, pierced with loopholes and rlppel by cannon balls, showed where some ^detachment hud made a stand. There -was a military guard on the train too—a dozen unkempt soldiers loaded down with rifles and bandoliers of car bridges, and several officers, neatlj dressed In khaki, who rode In the first class coach and occupied themselves by making eyes at the women. At its frequent stops the train was besieged by the customary, crowd ol curious peons the same noisy huck sters dealt out enchiladas, tortillas goat cheeses and coffee from the same edlrty baskets and pails even their out •stretched hands seemed to bear the fa miliar grime of ante-bellum days. The coaches were crowded women fanned themselves unceasingly their men snored, open-mouthed, over the backs •of the seats, and the* aisles were full of squalling, squabbling children. As for the country Itself, It was dy ing. The ranches were stripped of stock, no carts creaked along the high ways, and the roads, like the llttlq •ifarms, were growing up to weeds. Stores were empty, the people were 'Idle. Over all was an atmosphere of decay, and, what was far more signifi cant, the people seemed content. All morning the monotonous journey ^continued—a trial to Alaire and Dolo res, but to Jose Sanchez a red-letter ^experience. He covered the train from •end to end, making acquaint ed with everyone and fringing to Alalre the gossip that he picked up. It was not until midday that the first Interruption occurred then the train pulled In upon a siding, and after an Interminable delay it transpired that a .northbound troop-train was expected. Jose brought this intelligence: "Soon you will behold the flower of the Mex ican army," he told Alaire. "You will see thousands of Longorlo's veterans, every man of them a very devil for blood. They are returning to Nuevo JPueblo after destroying a band ol -thos* Mils. They had a great vic tory nt Ban Pedro—thirty kilometers -from Ln Peria. Not a prisoner wai spared, arnora." General. Longorlo with themF Alston Inquired quickly. "That Is what I came to tell yon la believed that he is. for he takec bla army with him wherever he goes. Ho la a great fighter he has a nose for It that man. and he strikes like the lightning here, there, anywhere." .'Jose, it seemed, was a rabid Potosista "When the train arrives," she told -'her horse-bHeaker. "I want you to find General Longorio and ask him to come here." "Hot senora!" Jose was dus» founded, shocked. "He is a great gen eral—" "Give him this note." Quickly writ ing a few lines on a page from her notebook, she gave him the scrap of paper, which he carefully placed In his hflt "tlien, shfltcint'hls neaCTdouDtfdlly, be 16ft the car. Flushed with triumph, Dolores took the first occasion to enlarge upon her theme. "You will see what a monster this Longorlo Is," she declared. "It was like him to steal your beautiful cattle he would steal a crucifix." "I've heard that," Alaire said gravely. In the course of time the military train came creaking along on the main track and stopped, to the great interest of the south-bound travelers. It was made up of many stock cars crowded with cavalry horses, and penned iu with them were the women and the children. The soldiers themselves, were clustered thickly upon the car roofs. Far down at the rear of the train was a rickety passenger coach, and toward this Jose Sanchez made his way. There began a noisy interchange of greetings between the occupants of the two trains, and meanwhile the hot sun glared balefully upon the huddled fig ures on the car tops. A half-hour passed, then occurred a commotion at the forward end of Alaire's coach. A group of officers climbed aboard, and among them was one who could be none other than Luis Longorlo. As he came down the passageway Alalre identified him without the aid of his Insignia, for he stood head and shoul ders above his companions and bore himself with an air of authority. He was unusually' tall, at least six feet three, and very slim, very Utbe a young man his cheeks were girlishly smooth and of a clear, pale, olive tint his eyes were large, bold, brilliant bis nostrils thin and sensitive, like those of a blooded horse. Disdain, hauteur, impatience, were stamped upon the general's countenance as he pushed briskly through the crowd, turning his head from side to side in search of the woman who had summoned him. Not' until she rose did he discover Alalre then he baited his eyes fixed themselves upon her with a start ol 3tartled amazement. Alalre felt herself color faintly, for the man seemed to be scanning hei from head to foot, taking in every de tail of her face and form, and as be did so his expression remained unal tered. For what seemed a full minute Longorio stood rooted then the stiff vizored cap was swept from his head he bowed with the grace of a courtiei until Alaire saw the part ln his oily black hair. "Senora! A thousand apologies for my delay," not he said. "Caramba! I did dream—I did not understand youi message." He continued to regard bet with that same queer intensity. "You are General Longorio?" Alalre was surprised to note that her voice quavered uncertainly, and annoyed tc feel her face still flushing." "Your obedient servant." Longorio, with a brusque command routed out the occupants of the seal ahead, and, rever&ng the back, took position facing Alalre. Another ordei and the men who had accompanied him withdrew up the aisle. There was no mistaking his admiration. He seemed enchanted by her pale beauty her rich, red hair held him fascinated and with Latin boldness he made hlf feelings crassly manifest. "You probably know why I wlshec to see you," Alaire began. Longorio shook his head ln vague denial. "It is regarding my ranch, La Feria.' Seeing that the name conveyed noth Ing, she explained, "I am told thai your ariny confiscated my cattle." "Ah, yes! Now I understand." The Mexican nodded mechanically, but it was plain that he was not heeding het words In the least. As if to shut out a vision or to escape some dazzling sight, he closed his eyes. Alaire wondered If the fellow had been drinking. She turned to Dolores to find that good woman wearing an expression of'Stu pefaction. It was very queer It made Alalre extremely ill at ease. Longorio opened his eyes and passed a brown hand across his brow as If to brush away perverse fancies that In terfered with his thoughts. Alalre no ticed that one of his fingers was deco rated with a magnificent diamond-and ruby ring, and this interested her queerly. No ordinary man could fit tingly have worn such an ornament, yet on the hand of this splendid bar* b'trian it seemed not at all out of keeping. "Dius!". Longorio continued. "Your ranch has ItQon destroyed your cattle stolen, eh? We will shoot the perpe trators of this outrage at once. Byeno!" "No, no! I don't want to see anyone mini*'!'• 1 !Ym"v1v wont vour covern- menf fo pay me for my cattle." 'Alaire laughed nervously. "Ah! nut a lady of refinement should never discuss such a miserable business. It is a matter for men." She endeavored to speak In a brisk, businesslike tone. "La Ferla belongs to me. I am a woman of affairs, Gen eral Longorio, and you must talk to me as you would talk to a man. When I heard about this raid I came to look Into it—to see you, or whoever Is in charge of this district, and to make a claim for damages." "Valgame DIos! This Is amazing." "There Is nothing extraordinary about it, that I can see." "You consider such a woman as yourself ordinary? The men of my country enshrine beauty and worship It. They do not discuss such things with their women. Now this sordid affair is something for /our hus band—* "Mr. Austin's business occupies hit time this is my own concern. I am not the only practical woman In Tex as." Longorlo appeared to be laboriously digesting this statement. Such extravagant homage was em barrassing. yet no woman conld be wholly displeased by admiration so spontaneous and intense as that which Longorlo manifested In every look and word. Alalre knew the susceptibility of Mexican men. and was Immune to ordinary flattery: yet there was some thing exciting about this martial hero'? complete captlvatlon. To have charmed him to the point of bewilderment was a unique triumph, and under his hun gry eyes she felt an adventurous thrill. While he and Alaire were talking the passengers had returned to their seats they were shouting good-bys to the soldiers opposite the conductor ap proached and informed the general ol his train orders. Longorlo favored him with a slow stare. "You may go when I leave,'' said he. "SI, senor. But—" The general uttered a sharp excla mation of anger, at which the conduc tor backed away, expressing by voice and gesture his most hearty approval of the change of plan. "We mustn't hold the train," Alalre said quickly. "I will arrange to see you in Nuevo Pueblo when I return." Longorio smiled brilliantly and lift ed a brown hand. "No, no! I am a selfish man: I refuse to deprive myself of this pleasure. Now about these cattle." He thought for a moment, and his tone altered as he said: "Senora. there seems to be an unhappy compli cation in our way, and thls*we musri remove. First, may I ask, are you a friend to our cause?" "I am an American, but what haf that to do with my ranch and mj cattle? This is something that con cerns no one except you and me." Longorio was plainly flattered by hei words, and took no trouble to hide his pleasure. "Ah! If that were onlj true! We would arrange everythlni to your satisfaction without anothat 5 WILLISTON GRAPHIC 1 M8o!" he said at last. "When yon beard of this—you came, eh? Ton came alone Into Mexico, where we are fighting and killing each other? Well! That Is spirit. You are wonderful, superb!" He smiled, showing the whitest and evenest teeth. 1 "Why Did You Take My Cattle?" word." His admiring gaze seemed tf envelop her, and its warmth was un mistakable. "Why did you take my cattle?" she demanded, stubbornly. "I was coming to that. Your hus band, senora, is an active Candele rista." For a moment Alalre was at a loss then she replied with some spirit: "We are two people, he and I. La Ferla be longs to me." "Nevertheless his conduct is regret table," Longorio went -on. "Probably evil men have lied to him." For the first time Dolores stirred. She had watched her countryman with a peculiar fascination. Now she said, as if freed from a spell: "I'ah! Nobody pays heed to Senor Ed. We do not consider him." Alaire turned upon her with a sharp exclamation, conscious meanwhile that the woman's tone, even more than her words, had enlightened Longorio to S0me_ extent.— TTis _lif tcd_liro.ws_wore ..... eloquent of surprise and curiosity, but he held his tongue. "Am I to understand, then, thnt you rob me because of my husband's ac tion?" Alaire asked. "No. I shall help." Longorio beamed enthusiastically. "It shall be the ob ject of my life to serve you, and you and I shall arrange this matter satis factorily. I have influence, believe me. Duty calls me to Nuevo Pueblo, and you shall return with me as the guest of my- government." He rose to his feet, but his eagerness soon gave place to disappointment "Thank you," said Alalre, "but 1 must first go to La Feria and get all the facts." "Senora I It Is a wretched Journey. See!" Ho waved a contemptuous ges ture at the car, crowded to congestion. "There is no food you haw no one to wait upon you. In my company yoft will be safe. Upon my honor, yon will enjoy the highest courtesy—" •Of course. But I must n* I have Dolores and Jose to look after me." Alalre Indicated Sanches, who bad edged bis way very close and now stood wltb admiring eyes fixed upon bis hero. "Yes, ml general," Jose exclaimed, eagerly, "I am here." Longorlo scrutinised the horse breaker critically. "Your name Is—T "Jose 8anches." "You look like a brave fellow." Jose swelled at this praise, and no doubt, would have made suitable an swer, but his employer held out ber hand, and General Longorlo bent over It, ral8lng.lt to bis Hps. He called one of his subordinates closer and ordered thnt a lieutenant and six sioldlers be detached to act as an escort to Mrs. Austin's party. "Senora, the hours will drag until I may see you again and be of further service. Mean while I shall be tortured with radiant dreams. Go with God!" For a second time he bowed and kissed the hand he held, then, taking Jose Sanchez inti mately by the arm, be turned to the door. Dolores collapsed Into her seat with an exclamation. "Caramba The man is a demon! And such eyes. Df!" Dolores was interrupted by Longo rlo's voice beneath the open window. The general stood, cap in hand, hold ing up to Alaire a solitary wildflowei which he had plucked beside the track. "See!" he cried. "It is the color of your adorable eyes—blue like the sapphire gem." He placed the deli cate bloom In Alalre's fingers and was gone. "Culdado!" breathed Dolores. "There Is blood on it tbe blood of innocents, fie will burn for a million years in hell, that man." Jose Sanchez came plowing Into Alalre's car. tremendously excited. "Look, senora!" he cried. "Look what the general gave roe," and he proudly displayed Longorlo's service revolver. Around Jose's waist was the cartridge belt and holster that went with the weapon. "With his own hnnds he buckled it about me, and he said. 'Jose, something tells m.e you are a devil for bravery. Guard your mistress with ynnr life, for if any mishap be falls her I shall cut out your heart with my owy hands.' Those were his very words, senora. Caramba! There Is a man to die for." Nor was this the last of Longorlo's dramatic surprises. Shortly after the train had got under way the lieutenant In command of Alaire's guard brought her a small package, saying: "The general commanded me to hanc yon this, with his deepest regard." Alaire accepted the object curiously It was small and heavy and wrapped In several leaves torn from a notebook, and it proved to be nothing less thai the splendid diamond-and-ruby ring She had admired. "God protect us, now!" murmured Dolores, crossing herself devoutly. CHAPTER VI. Blaze Jones and His Neighborsi Blaze Jones rode up to his front gate and dismounted in the shade of the big ?bony tree. He stepped back and rat an approving eye over nnother animal tethered there. Of course the youths of this day were nothing like the youths of his own. and yet—Blaze let his gaze linger fondly on the highbred mare and her equipment—here at least was a person who knew a good horse, a good saddle and a good gun. As he came up the walk he heard Palotnn laugh, and his own face light ened, for his daughter's merriment was contagious. Then as he mounted the steps and turned the corner of the "gallery" he uttered a hearty greeting. "Qave Law! Where in the world did you drop from?" Law uncoiled himself and took the ranchman's hand. "Hello, Blaze! 1 been ordered down here to keep you straight." "Pshaw! Now who's been giving you orders, Dave?" "Why, I'm with the Rangers."' "Never knew a word of it. Last -I heard you was filibustering around wity ,the Muderistas." Blase seated himself with a grateful sigh where the breeze played over him. He was a big, bearlike, swarthy man with the square-hewn, deep-lined face of a tragedian, and a head of long, curly hair, which be wore parted in a line over his left ear. Jones was a character, a local landmark. This pprt of Texas had grown up with Blaze, and he possessed a splendid indiffer ence to the artificial fads of dress and manners. He was plainly an out door man. "So you're a Ranger, and got notches on your gun." Blaze rolled and lit a tiny cigarette, scarcely larger than a wlieaL-straw. "Well. S'ou'd ought..to make a right able thief-catcher,'Dave, only for your size—you're too long for a man and you ain't long enough for a snake. Still, I reckon a thief would have trouble getting out of your reach, and once you got close to him— How many men have you killed?" "Counting Mexicans?" Law Inquired with a smile. "Nobody counts them." "Not many." "That's good." Blaze nodded and relit his cigarette, which he had per mitted promptly to smolder out. "The force ain't what it was. Most of the boys nowadays Join so they can ride a horse cross-lots, pack a pair of guns, and give rein to the predilections of a vicious ancestry. Tliey're bad rams, most of 'em." "There aren't many," said Paloma. "Dave tells me tbe whole force has been cut down to sixteen." "That's plenty," ber father averred. "It's like when Cap'n Bill McDonald was sent to stop a riot In Dallas. He eame to town alono, and when tbe clti tans asked him where bis men was, he said 'Ain't I enough? There's onlj one riot.' Are yon workln' up a caaa Dave?" "Um-m—yes! People are missing a lot of stock hereabouts." "It's these blamed refugees from the war! A Mexican has to steal soma thing or he gets run down and pore If It ain't stock, It's something else.* Dave Law's duties as a Ranger rest ed lightly upon him his instruction! we- vague, and be had a leisurely method of "working un" his evidence. Since he knew that Blase possessed a thorough knowledge of this section and Its people, It was partly business which had brought him to the Jones home this afternoon. Strictly speaking, Blaze was not a rancher. He bad speculated heavily ln raw lands, and for several years past he had'devoted his energies to a gi gantic colonization scheme. It was by no means a small operation In which he was engaged. The venture had taken foresight, courage, Infinite hard work Blaze was burdened with re sponsibilities that would have broken down a man of weaker fiber. But his pet relaxation was reminis cence. His own experience had been wide, he knew everybody ln his part of the state, and although events ln his telling were sometimes colored by his rich Imagination, the Information he could give was often of the great est value—as Dave Law knew. After a time the latter said, casually, "Tell me something about Tad Lewis." Blaze looked up quickly. "What do you want to know?" "Anything. Everything." "Tad owns a right nice ranch be tween here and Las Palmas," Blase said cautiously. Paloma broke out Impatiently. "Why don't you say what you think?" Then to Dave: "Tad Lewis Is a bad neigh bor, and always has been. There's a ford on his place, and we think he knows more about *wet' cattle than he cares to tell." "It's a good place to cross stock at low water," her fbther agreed, "and Lewis' land runs back from the Rio Grande ln Its old Spanish form. It's ft natural outlet for those brush-coun try ranchos. But I haven't anything against Tad except a natural dislike. He stands well with some of our best people, so I'm probably wrong. I usu ally am." "You can't callEd Austin one of our jest people," sharply objected Paloma. They claim that arms are being smuggled across to the rebels, Dave, ind, if it's true, Ed Austin—" "Now, Paloma," her father remon Itrated mildly. "The regulars and the Ml fA PtAiTW Believe Austin Is a Strong Rebel Sympathizer." river guards watched Lewis' ranch till the embargo was lifted, and they never saw anything." "I believe Austin is a strong rebel sympathizer," Law ventured. "Sure! And him and the Lewis out fit are amigos. If you go pirootin' around Tad's place you're more'n apt to make yourself unpopular, Dave. I'd grieve some to eee you in a wooden kimono. Tad's too well fixed to steal cattle, and if he runs arms it's be cause he's a 'galvanized Gringo' him self—married a Mexican, you know." When mealtime drew near, both Jones and his daughter urged their guest to stay and dine with them, and Dave was glad to accept. "After supper I'm going to show you our town," Blaze declared. "It's the finest, eit y_ iu_south Texas_and_ erow- Thursday, Aprfl B. If AT. There are thousands of children who are bright but frail—not sick but underdeveloped—they play with their food—they catch colds easily and do not thrive—they only need the pure, rich liquid-food In scom EMULSION to start them growing and Inep them going. Children relish SCOTT'S and it carries rare nutritive qualities to their blood streams and gives them flesh food, bone-food and strength-food. Nothing harmful in SCOTTS. Scott ft Bowse, Bloomfield, N. I. 1M lng like a weed. All we rieed~ls~fobd farmers. Those we've got are mostly back-.to-nature students who leaped a drug counter expecting to 'light ln tho lap of luxury. In the last outrft wo sold there wasn't three men that knew which end of a mule to put the collar on. But they'll learn. Nature's with 'em, and so am I. God supplies 'an with all the fresh air and snnaMas they need, and when they want aap thing else they come to Old Ain't that right, Paloma?" "Yes. father." (Continued next week) Coras WHhiagie'Bets-rOffLooses 9 Drops Do the Work, Painlessly. **I tell you, before I heard of 'Gets-It* I used to try one thing after another for corns. I still«had them. used bandages and tbey made my COras Drive Vm Mait Try an« They'll Peel Right Off! toe so big it was murder to put on my shoe. I used salves ana other things that ate off more of the toe than they did the corn. I'd cut ana dig with knives and scissors, but now no more fooling for me. Two drops of 'Gets-It' did all me wOrk. It makes the corn shrivel a get so loose that you can just pick f- right off with your fingers!" There has been nothing new dis covered for corns since "Gets-It" was born. It's the new way—the common-sense, simple, sure way. "Gets-It" is sold everywhere, 25c a bottle, or sent on receipt of price bv E. Lawrertte & Co.. Chicago, 111. Sold in Williston and recommended as the world's best corn remedy by Erich Kather, S. J. Creaser and Wil liston Drug Co. AUCTIONEER Registered Stock Sales a Specialty. See me and bill your sales early. Also Sell Farm Sales. Guarantee Satisfaction. Fw Pirticalirs inure at Graphic, N. Ship Your Hides and Junlc S0LS6ERG BROS. & CO. Formerly the Northwestern Hide &-Fur Co Highest Prices Quick Returns Shipping Tags and Prices on Request 15 1st Ave. Esst WILLISTON, N. D. You Want MONEY? SO DO I I talk for money and for you. Lets hook up on that next sale. W. W. Keltner AUCTIONEER Phone 2-L 1-S, Line 10, at my expanse WILLISTON, NORTH DAK.