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HEART OF THE SUNSET
By Rex Beach
Copyright by Horpor A Brother*
DAVE LAW AND ALAIRE AUSTIN MEET AGAIN AND SPEND THE DAY TOGETHER —LAW RE
CEIVES WARNING FROM AN AVENGER BUT LAUGHS AT THE DANGER OF DEATH
S\ NOPSIS. Mi's. Alaire Austin, handsome young mistress of Las Palmas ranch, lost in the Texas desert,
vi an dors lnto tlle llttle caln P of David Law, state ranger, waiting In ambush for a Mexican murderer. She Is
orced to stay 24 hours, until Law captures his man, kills another and escorts her home. “Young Ed" Austin,
drunken wastrel, berates his wife and makes insulting Insinuations about the ranger. Law discovers that Austin
Is secretly in league with Mexican rebels and horse thieves. Mrs. Austin encounters Gen. Luis Longorio, Mexican
federal, when she goes to La Ferla, her ranch in Mexico to collect war damages, and Longorio, a bad man, falls
in love with her. Dave Law kills a cattle thief and comes into unpleasant contact with Austin.
CHAPTER IX—Continued.
— 9—
There was a murmur from the on
lookers; someone cried, “Viva Longo
lio!”
The general bowed smilingly; then,
faking Alaire's arm, he waved the
idlers out of his path with a magnifi
cent gesture.
When, later in the day, Mrs. Austin
came to say good-by and thank the
Mexican for his courtesies, he humbly
begged permission to pay his respects
that evening at her hotel, and she
could not refuse.
As the coach went bouncing across
Ihe International bridge, Dolores said,
spitefully: “It will take more than the
pardon of poor Juan Garcia to unlock
heaven for that bandit. Do you notice
the way he looks at you? It Is enough
to damn him for all eternity."
Upon her arrival at the hotel Alnlre
received an agreeable surprise, for as
her vehicle paused at the curb David
I .aw stepped forward, hat in hand.
“What bloodthirsty business brings
you to Pueblo?” she queried, when they
had exchanged greetings.
Law smiled at her. “I came to of
fer free board and lodging to a poor
Greaser. But he ain't here. And you,
ma’am ?”
When Dave learned that she was
counting upon General Luis Longorio’s
aid in securing justice, he regarded her
with some curiosity ns he inquired:
“Isn't Longorlo the very man who
robbed you?”
"Yes.”
“Mexicans are peculiar people,” Law
said slowly. "At least we don’t under
stand their business methods or their
habits of mind. From my experience
with them, I wouldn’t put much confi
dence In this Longorio’s word. I say
this, and I’m supposed to have a little
Mexican blood In me.”
During this brief conversation they
had entered the hotel, and she gnve
her hand to Law.
"I hope we shnll see each other
again.” she murmured.
“That’s more’n likely; I’m located in
your neighborhood now,” he informed
her. “I’m leaving for .Tonesville in the
morning.”
“By train?”
“No’m. I’m goin’ to follow the river
road if I can get an automobile.”
Mindful of the Banger’s courtesy to
her on their previous meeting, Alnlre
said: “Won’t you go with us? We in
tend to start early.”
Dave was nearly speechless with de
light, and when the mistress of Las
Palmas had gone upstairs he felt in
clined to pinch himself to see If he
were dreaming. Ho had pursued a
fruitless quest during the past few
days, and his resentment had grown
as he became certain that Tad Lewis
had sent him on n wild-goose chase;
hut the sight of Alaire miraculously
restored his good spirits, and the pros
pect of a long, intimate ride in her
company changed the whole trend of
ids thoughts. His disappointment at
not seeing her upon his visit to Las
Palmas had only served to enhance
his memories of their first meeting, and
time now had deepened his interest
tenfold. Yes, she was “The Lone
Star,” the estrella brillante of his
empty sky. There couhl be no doubt
about ids feelings; he was more than
romantically interested, the mere sight
of her had electrified him. The discov
ery distressed him, and lie very prop
erly decided that the affair should eml
here, since it could lend to nothing
except disappointment.
****
At the time of tills story, relations
between the United States and the es
tablished government of Mexico were
such that a hostility had sprung up
between the troops fronting each other
along the Ilio Grande, and in conse
quence their officers no longer crossed
tlie boundary, even when off duty, it
created n flurry of suppressed excite
ment, therefore, when Luis Longorio.
(lie nutocrat of the Potosista forces,
boldly crossed the bridge, traversed
the streets of Pueblo, and entered the
Hamilton hotel.
From his seat In the lobby Law
heard the general inquire for Mrs. Aus
tin, and ihen saw him ascend in the
direction of the parlor. He rose and
strolled restlessly about the hotel. A
half-hour passed and Longorio did not
reappear; an hour dragged by, nnd
Ihen Dave took occasion to go to his
room. A glance through the open par
lor door showed the foreigner in closest
conversation with Mrs. Austin. They
were laughing; they were alone; even
Dolores was nowhere to be seen. He
chewed several cigars viciously before
realizing that lie was jealous—yes,
madly, unreasonably jealous.
So! His divinity was not ns unap
proachable as lie had imagined. Doubt
less Longorio was mad over her, which
explained the fellow’s willingness to
help her exact reparation from his gov
ernment. Fine doings for a respect
able married woman! It was wrong,
scandalous, detestable I
Had Dave only known the truth, he
would have gained a grim comfort
from it, for Alaire Austin was not en
joying herself that evening. Her call
er stayed on interminably, and she be
came restive under the flow of ills con
versation. For some reason or other,
Longorio was not the romantic figure
he had been; in his citizen's clothes
he was only a dandified Mexican gal
lant like any number of others. Tlie
color was gone from the picture; this
quixotic guerrilla hero, this elegant
Buy Bias, was nothing more than a
tall, olive-skinned foreigner, whose ar
dor was distasteful. Longorio was
tiresome.
CHAPTER X.
Jose Sanchez Swears an Oath.
Jose Sanchez made use of the delay
at Pueblo to institute further Inquiries
regarding his missing cousin, hut no
where could he find tlie slightest trace.
Jose swore an oath that he would learn
the truth if it required Ills whole life
time, and, if it should turn out that
his sainted relative had Indeed met
with foul play—well! Jose told ids
friends they could judge, by looking at
him, the sort of man he was. He proud
ly displayed Longorio’s revolver, and
called it his cousin’s little avenger. The
weapon had slain many; it had a duty
still to perform, so lie said.
Jose intended to confide his purpose
to Mrs. Austin, but when it came time
to start for Las Palmas there was a
fourth passenger in the automobile,
nnd he was obliged to hold his tongue
for tlie moment. Alaire was in good
humor, and expressed her relief at
escaping from everything Mexican.
“I haven’t seen a newspaper for
ages, nnd I don’t know what Is going
on at Jonesvllle or anywhere else,” she
confided.
Dave told her of the latest develop
ments in tlie Mexican situation, of
home happenings, and when she asked
him about ids own doings, he informed
her of tlie affair which had brought
him to Pueblo.
Of course nil three of Ills companions
were breathlessly interested in the
story of Pirio Garza’s death; Dolores
and Jose did not allow a word to
escape them.
“Cnrambn! It required bravery to
ride alone into that rincon," Jose de
clared. “I know Pino Garza well, and
lie could shoot like the devil.”
“You said your horse saved your
life,” Mrs. Austin went on. “How do
you mean?” When Dave had explained,
she cried, quickly, “You weren’t rid
ing—Bessie Belle?”
“Yes. She’s buried where she
dropped. I've been right lonesome
since she went away.”
Alaire turned n quick glance upon
the speaker to find his face set and
his eyes miserable. Impulsively she
laid her hand upon his arm, saying:
“I know how you must feel. Do you
know what has always been my dear
est wish? To be able to talk with ani
mals and make friends of them.”
Dave smiled absentmindedly.
“There’s a wonderful book about a
near-sighted old Frenchman who was
cast away on u penguin island. He saw
tlie big birds walking around, and
thought they were human beings.”
THE NORTH GEORGIAN, CUMMING, GEORGIA.
“How did you happen to read Ana
tole France?” Alaire asked, with a
siiarp stare of surprise.
The Banger stirred, but lie did not
meet her eyes. “Well,” said he, “I
read ’most anything I can get. A fel
ler meets up with strange books just
like lie meets up with strange people.”
“Not books like—tliat.” There was
a brief silence. “Mr. Law, yon went
to school in the East, didn’t you?
Where?” The man hesitated, at which
she insisted, “Where?”
Dave reluctantly turned upon her a
pair of eyes in the depths of which
there lurked the faintest twinkle.
“Cornell.” said he.
Alaire gasped. After a while she re
marked, stiffly, “You have a peculiar
sense of humor."
“Now don’t he offended," he begged
her. “I’m a good deal like n chame
leon; I unconsciously change my color
to suit my surroundings. When we
first met I saw that you took me for
one thing, nnd since then I've tried not
lo show you your mistake."
"Why did you let me send you those
silly books? I dare say you’ve had a
fine laugh at my expense?"
“No!” gravely denied the man.
They had eouie to an arroyo contain
ing a considerable stream of muddy
water, and Law was forced to get out
to plug the carburetor nnd stop the oil
intakes to the crank-ense. Tills done,
Alaire ran the machine through on the
self-starter. When Jose's “Cartim
bns!” and Dolores’ shrieks had sub
sided, and they were ngnlu under way,
Mrs. Austin, It seemed, had regained
her good humor.
“You will receive no more of my fa
vorite authors,” she told Dave, spite
fully. "I’ll keep them to read my
self."
“Do you still believe In chivalry?”
Alaire turned iter eyes upon the
questioner, nnd there were no girlish
illusions in them. “Do you?" she quer
ied, with a faint curl of her lip.
“Why—yes.”
Site shook her head. “Men have
changed. Nowadays they are nil self
ish and sordid. But—l shouldn’t gen
eralize, for I’m a notorious man-hater,
you know.”
He nodded, whereupon she eyed him
speculatively. “Let us see. You are
a man—how far would you go for the
woman you loved?”
"The limit I”
Mrs. Austin frowned at this light
seeming answer. “I suppose you mean
that you would make any sacrifice?"
"Yes; that’s it."
“Would you give up the woman her
self, If you considered It your duty?"
“No. There couldn’t be any duty
higher than love—to my way of think
ing. But you shouldn’t take me ns
a specimen. I’m not a good represen
tative of my sex.”
“I tiiink you are a very good one.”
Alaire said quietly, and Dave realized
that no flattery was intended.
Despite the rough roads, they made
fair time, nnd the miles of cactus nnd
scrawny brush rolled swiftly past. The
morning sun swung higher, and by
midday tlie metal of the automobile
had become as hot ns a frying pan.
They stopped at various goat ranches
to inquire about Adolfo Urblnn, and at
noon halted beside a watercourse for
lunch.
Dave was refilling the radiator when
he overheard Jose in conversation with
Mrs. Austin.
“Nowhere a trace!” the horse
breaker was saying. “No one has seen
him. Poor Bosa Morales will die of
a broken heart."
Alaire explained to her guest: “Jose
is worried about bis cousin Panfllo. It
seems lie lias disappeared.”
“So! You are Panfllo’s cousin?”
Dave eyed the Mexican with new in
terest.
“Si!”
“You remember tlie man?" Alaire
went on. “He was with that fellow
you arrested at the water-hole.”
“Oh. yes. I remember him." With
steady fingers Dave shook some to
bacco into a cigarette paper. He felt
Alaire’s eyes upon.hint; and they were
eloquent of inquiry, but he did not
meet them.
Jose frowned. "No one at La Ferla
lias seen him, and in Pueblo there was
not n word. It is strange.”
“Panfilo was in bad company when
I saw him." Law finished rolling his
cigarette nnd lit it, still conscious of
Alaire's questioning gaze. "He may
have had trouble."
“He was a good man,” the horse
breaker asserted. “If lie is dead —”
Tlie Mexican's frown deepened to a
scowl.
“What then?”
Jose significantly patted the gift re
volver at ids hip. “This little fellow
will have something to say.”
Dave looked him over Idly, from
head to heel, then murmured: “You
would do well to go slow, compndre.
Panfllo made ills own quarrels.”
“We were like brothers, and I do
not know of any quarrels. But I shall
find out. I am not given to boasting,
senor, but I am a devilish bad man In
my way.”
Nothing more was* said during the
luncheon, but when Alaire hud finished
eating nnd her two employees had be
gun their meal, she climbed the bank
of tlie arroyo ostensibly to find a cool
spot. Having succeeded, she called to
Dave:
“There is a nice breeze up here.”
The Banger’s face set; rising slow
ly. lie climbed tlie bank after her.
When they stood face to face in the
shade of a gnarly oak tree, Alaire
asked him point-blank:
“Where is Panfllo Sanchez?”
Dave met her eyes squarely; his
own were cold and hard. “He’s where
he dropped at my second shot," said
he.
He could hear his companion's siiarp |
inhalation. He did not flinch at the j
look she turned upon him.
“He was practically unarmed! What
do you call—such an net?”
Dave’s lips slowly whitened, his face
became stony. He felt himself piti
lessly condemned.
“Why didn’t you 101 l me at the
time?” she asked. “Why didn't you
report it?”
"I’ll report it when you give me per
mission."
“I—? Wlmt —?” She wheeled to
face him.
“Think a moment. I can't tell half
the truth. And if I tell everything,
it will lend to —gossip.”
“Ah! I think I understand. Mr.
Law. you can be Insulting—”
For. the first time the man lost mus
cular control of Ills features; Ihoy
twitched, and under tlieir tan Ills
cheeks became sickly yellow.
"You’ve no right to say that,” he told
her harshly. “You've plumb over
stepped yourself, ma’am, nnd—l reck
on you’ve formed quite a wrong opin
ion. Panfilo had ills six-shooter nnd
he used it; he intended to ntnbush me
and release his companion, but I
forced his hand; so it ain’t what I'd
call murder; I haven’t lost any sleep
over it. I—”
“You are utterly ruthless."
"Yes’m! I’m not what you would
consider a nice person; the death of
| Panfilo Sanchez means nothing what
ever to me. If you cun grasp that fact,
you'll see that your own reputation
weighed heavier in my mind that tiie
lives of a dozen Mexicans —or whites,
for (hat matter.”
“I go anywhere, everywhere. No one
has ever had the effrontery to ques
tion my actions,” Alaire told him.
stiffly.
“And I don’t aim to give ’em a
chance.” Dave was stubborn.
There was another Interval of si
| lence.
"You heard what Jose said. What
! are you going to do?”
L>ave made a gesture of indiffer
| ence. “It doesn’t greatly matter. I'll
| tell him the truth, perhaps. You might
, warn him against tiny foolishness.
! Jose has son's sense."
The woman looked up curiously.
“Don’t you know how to be afraid?
Haven't you any fear?” she asked.
Dave’s gray eyes were steady as lie
answered: “Yes’m! I’m afraid this
thing is going to spoil our friendship.
I've been desperately afraid, all along,
that I might have hurt your reputa
tion. Even now I’m afraid, on your
account, to make public Panfilo Snn
chez’s death. Y'es’m, I know what it
Is to he afraid.”
It became evident to Dave, ns tlie
afternoon progressed, that they would
be very late In arriving at Las Palmas,
and lie began to fear that his hostess
would feel in duty bound to insist upon
his spending the night at her home.
Dave Law finds further traces
of criminal doings near the Aus
tin ranch. Longorio makes him
self extremely distasteful to
Mrs. Austin. Some exciting epi
sodes are described in the next
installment.
(TO BE CONTINUED.)
Long on Words.
“Wliy, Fred, that is Professor
Braney. I never heard anyone use so
many long words.” "Yes; the trouble
with him is he uses twin-six words to
express one-cyltiider Ideas.” —Life.
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Reads Like Fiction.
One of tlie most recent salvages
yet recorded in these days of stilimn
fine warfare, says Popular Science
Monthly, is that of tlie Norwegian
steamship Konsgsli, whose cargo of
grain swelled to such an extent on the
inrush of water through the ragged
hole-torn In her side by a torpedo, that
(he hole was clogged up and the water
prevented from flowing in and sinking
iier.
A party of fishermen, clambering
aboard to discover the trouble, were
amazed to find that the ragged hole on
one side and hull plates lorn loose on
the other by the force of Die explosion
lmd been effetlvely plugged by the
swollen grain. The fishermen wore
afraid to attempt to tow her because
Die rush of the water along her sides
might have washed away the effective
grain seal. Accordingly, they impro
vised 1 tales made of cotton tided with
grain and forced these into the boles.
This made the stoppage secure enougli
to enable the vessel to he lowed to a
nearby port.
At the Post Office.
"Wlint did she do when you told
her it would cost 3 cents to send a
letter hereafter Instead of 2?”
“Umph—she got so angry she
stamped her foot.”
Brazil in June exported 4,364,073
pounds of crude rubber.
Save
In the Use
of Wheat
By eating
Grape-Nuts
All the food value
of the grain is used
in making this de
licious food; and its
blend of malted bar
ley not only adds to
its nourishing quali
ties but produces a
flavor of unusual rich
ness.
All Food—
No Waste!