Bemidji Daily Pioneer Newspaper, February 3, 1921, Page 2

'BEMIDJI DAILY PIONEER PUBLISHED EVERY AFTERNOON EXCEPT SUNDAY ¢ THE BEMIDJI PIONEER PUBLISHING CO. 3 ' E. H. DENU, Sec. and Mgr. G.. B, CARSON, President g J. D. WINTER, City Editor G. W. HARNWELL, Editor Talophone 822 postoffice at Bemidji, Minnesota, under Act of Cuures'n of March 8, 1879. No attention paid to anonymous contributions. Writer's name must, I *‘ S he kmown to the editor, but not necessarily for publication. Communica-! 'q(_ A tions for the Weekly Pioneer must reach this office not Iater than Tuesday' 9’}% ¢ of each week to insure publication in the current issue. Eantered at the as second-class matter, SYNOPSIS. By Carrier -$6.00 . One Year CHAPTER I.—John Stuart Webster, A mining engincer, after cleaning’up u for- i woee 2,50 tune in Death Valley, Calif., boards a Eix Monte i train for dhe Iust. 113 befriends a vouns e oo 1,26 lady annoyed by a masher, thoroughly, Threg Alout 28 g the “pest APT! THE WEEKLY PIONEER—Twelve pages, published every Thursday, (1 and sent postage paid to any address fcr, in advance, $2.00. i e OFFICIAL COUNTY AND CITY PROCEEDINGS €s @ est friend. Geary urges him to come to Sobrante, Central Amer to finance and develop a mining clahn. He decides ¢ to go. A LAND SETTLEMENT PROGRAM | CHAPTER IIL —Dolores Ruey, the youni woman Webster befriended, and | Last week one of the most important gatnerings ever held} Zioha in the Northwest assembled in St. Paul. That was the Tri-State | sovrante. Development congress. It contained representatives from Mich-" japr igan, Wisconsin and Minnesota. It assembled for the purposc tal ot Soin nte, Bty il it ven- of studying ways and means to develop the cut-over lands of: coper ot @ dramshop. She re- the Northern portions of these states. It must not be thought & cablegrioy tromrLoloIEsLeliug that this was the first effort made to study this question. It is| i not a new problem. It is a matter that has been given much. ruey, pr thought for many yeaers—in fact, ever since the lumberman g,,‘\sl}n:" began leaving vast cut-over and burned-over areas in the wake, cleht, of his saw, axe and Jogging camps. :{.lnm Un Up to the present, no concentrated, constructive policy e o e been formulated by any of the three states mentioned, or evenj (g by any considerable group of the citizens of these states. So s on her, Is also on the way to aventura, capi- ceive: of hier IR V.—Dolores’ father, Ler occupation has| nited States, 2 . | CHAPT VI.—Webster, I Vi t little has been said or done on a broad scale that Eastern peri-| scounte, is tuken i onth i, and | odicals have even seen fit to ridicule the possibility of ever de-' ol ®Gtuth findies W5 mission, Dolo: iR 7 % o | res easily seeing through his story. She swift and forceful resentment Mother Jenks as her friend and veloping these areas—though rest | benefactor. Geary immediately followed the prophesies of the incredu]ous East- » love with the g erners. i It augurs well for the future of these great areas that an| wuiting for the sieaner 1o Buenaventurs organization has been formed to aid in the formation of a gen-| Webster saves the life of «n vouns men eral development policy. . Minnesota, in the past, has developed no policy for systematic settling of these areas by the immigrant. The new| "‘c“r”',\‘{gfl,! i, . s his st gettlers have been more or less exploited rather than helped soj stranger who . B | being st to 2 ra far as any state policy has been concerned. Definite state land| B e ranwor, alte settling policies are needed and it is to be hoped that this or- n somewhat forcible argument, reach an L 3 = 2 axs e | amicable agreement. Webster recognizes ganization will make that one of its foremost features'in the de-| kim as the vouth whoso 1ife ho had suved velopment of these vast idle areas. There are no greater areas| not Lol L Rl of land, capable of high agricultural development, to be found | APT in the United today than are to be found in the Northern cut-| fieary welcomes Webster und, 1s. | A ] ping higfriend's “gu over timber areas of these states. Nahore. “The Ttter ia known to Webs The congress wisely considered this matter in a systematic |} e e i e e and comprehensive manner. It suggested a compilation of cor-| that flfy"s{"lf:‘!:“);\figrffv;-"xe In tove rect and authentic information of all the areas, land classifica-; L g tion, accurate crop statistics, adaptibility of certain soil areas! Wwho 18 attacked by two assassins. the, bls identity. On the steamcr Web. wom _occupied by es his Intention At 1 thanee he smilingly contradict: tatement that they have met belore. to certain crops, and the using of this information for the bene- | oSHAPTER. X & Webster /11 7 A 4 | o 2 v an Cafe- fit of the intending settler. L e oen o7 Catterty il | »f good qualities fallen through' overindul- A basis of capital or credit for the intending settler Wasi discussed. Some such provision is necessary. The new set- tler needs help until he has been to get land cleared to start production. South Dakota is using a plan which seems to be giving good results. Their’s is a system of rural credits fostered | by the state. i Supervision of the settler should be a very necessary part| of a successful program. A new settler finds problems facing him immediately with which he has not been familiar. He does not knoxy how to cope witl} them. He needs advice in methods | of clearing and starting his home. [ fhe oamtry, projectime 'the oxartheow oF Rather than settle new farmers in lonely locations by them-: Proddent Sarro assassinate him. friend of Cafforty. Later, the American Is insulted by a Sobrantean army officer aud publicly ridicules him. A challenge to a duel in accepted under such stern conditions that the Sobranteans with- draw it. CHAPTER XTI.—Webster secretly visits “Andrew Bowers"” at Mother Jenks'. He learns that “Bowers” is Ricardo Ruey. kon of the assassinaled president, brother that a revolution Is contempluted. Next morning he tells Dolores that her brother, selves, to )vm‘k out their own salvation, group settlement; r. on Geary, schemes might be offered as a practical plan. It is easier to ehiter el ter thopminc build schools, churches, roads and have a community life where (Continued From Last Issue) It is a generally accepted fact - colonization is done in groups. “Well, 1 knew T had company, didn’t that it takes a series of about four land settlers on a piece of cut-over before a final success is obtained. This should not be, | !’ tome In. voi e Tctiow 4 2 3 N neet some goo 1 of mine who s . The state ha.s much land to dispose of also, and if sales of| ;o.y anxions to meet you” He ,:K::fi such state land are made in such a manner as to work to the ad-! 14 a tall, handsome, scha vantage of the settler, a great good would result. In the past| man of 'abo:u}..m'-,' whose featur there has been altogether too much speculation in the disposing' dress and manner of wearing hi of the state lands. Sales have not been made to bone fide set- ‘hiskers procliined him a person- tlers but to land speculators, who neither develop the land nor| "8& “Dr. Ellsco ucheeo, I have the offer any encouragement to the man on the next farm who may | 1"F fo preseat A dolin, S, W custer, be honestly trying to develop his land. Some better scheme '.I,‘:H\';::',’,Tl".‘,,fm\';,l‘" 4k it you must be decreed if we are to expect outside settlers to come in “Doctor Pacheco promptly leaped to /and develop the land. his feet and bowed with ostentatious We, of Bemidji and Beltrami county, have no more impur—f reverence then suddenly, with Latin tant problem facing us at present than the development of these | IWwkulsiveness, he advanced upon Web- cut-over lands. We are vitally interested in this project, and | ster, if some such program as has been suggested above is presented ! aside the wept made a deep impression on hin, | . and sends | | Geary to the boat to say she has gone falls desperately in | CITAPTER VIL—At New Orleans, while | youth leaves Webster without disclosing | Arriving at Sobrante, | Febster _and is instru- | | war, T néver wanted a friend at court — Webster receives a | Rence in liquor, that there Js a plot to | ‘Webster makes o firm | of Dolores (whom he believes dead), and " country.” and | Iatter's out- stretched haund, clasped John Stuart ‘Webster in frateraal embrace, and to WEBSTER MANS MAN & . Pefer B.Kyne - Author of “Cappy Ricks,” “The Valley. of the Giants,” Etc. VT Ve KX’ —Dir, iy lite is yours.” It is well he gave it to you beforé you took it,” Andrew said in English, and he laughed, noting Webster’s con- fusion. “And this geatleman is Colonel Pablo Caraveo.” ] “Thunder, I'm in for it again,” Web- R I.—At Denver Webster re-| St¢F thought—and he was,. for the ctter from Billy Geary, his clos-| amiable colonel embraced Webster and kissed his left cheek before turning to Andrew. “You will convey to our guest, in English, Don Ricardo, assurances of my profound happiness in meeting him,” he said in Spas N “The Colonel says you're all to the mustard,” Andrew at once interpreted merrily, “Rather a liberal translation,” Web- ster retorted in Spanish, whereat Col- | onel Caraveo sprang up' and clapped his hands in delight. “Your happiness, my dear Coloael,” | Webster continued, “is extravagant grief compared with my delight in ! meetinz a Sobrantean gentleman who has no desire to skewer me.” He turn- ed to Andrew. “While introductions are in order, old son, suppose you complete the job and introduce your- self. I'n always suspicious of a man with an alias.” “Then behold the death of that im- pudent fellow Andrew Bowers, valet de chambre to this eminent m ing engineer and prince of gentleme; Mr. John Stuart ‘Webster. Doctor acheco, will you be good enough to perform the operation?” “This gentleman,” said the doctor, laying his hand on Andrew’s shoul der, “is Don Ricardo Luiz Ruey, a gea- tleman, a patriot, and the future presi- dent of our unhappy country.” Webster put his hands on the young man’s shoulders, “Ricardo, my sol asked earnestly, “do you think you could give me some little hint of the | tration that I be eliminated. approxiinate date on which you will assume pilice? By the nine gods of so badly as I want'one tonight.”. Webster sat _down and helped -him- £ from a box of cigars he found on ardo’s burcau. “T féél' I 'am ‘among t lasg? l;fiwnuw betweex preliminary Jpuffs #50" Jisteh:, while 1 spin a stra tale. I've béemighe pic- ture of bad luck ever since I Started for this infyrnal=~this wonderful;coun- try of yours. In New Orleans I took | a Sunday.morning stroll in Jackson | gquare and came ncress two wmen.try- ing to knife another. In the interest of common decency [ interfered: and won a sweeping vicfory, but to my amazement the prospective corpse took to his heels and advised me to do the sume——" Ricardo Ruey sprang for Jobn Stuart Webster. “By George,” he said | in English, “I'm going to hug you, too. 1 really ought to kiss you, because I'm that man you saved from nssassina- tion, but—too long in the U. 8. A, I suppose: I've lost the customs of my “Get out,” yelled Webster, fending him off. “By the way, Ricardo—I'm woing to call you Rick for short—do vou happen to have any relatives in this country?” ., a number of secoad and third cousins “Coming down on the steamer, I didn't like to appear curious, but all the {ime I wanted to ask you one couniry and fourteen.” “But ) not a “No, I'm a mixture, with Latin pre- dominating. My forebears were pure Castilinns from Madrid, and crossed the Western ocean in caravels, It's heen a matter of pride with the hous of Rtuey to keep the breed pure, but i ‘ despite all precautions, the family tree | for ctics D i str ¢ 't s i Ll gi?“::‘ it':‘dl operation, the strongest of support should' . g sour-dougli’s Inexpressitle hor- | ror, kissed him upon ine rizht cheek— O after wnicn he vacsed off, bowed once 5 HAVE YOU EARNED A TOMORROW ? more, and said in Spanish: * “As you close vour eyes in slumber, — = = ! Do you think that God wi]l say:— ‘You have earned one more tomorrow, 4 o By the good you've done today’?” What about it? I lizhtwil'h:l?oi‘i:Jc::‘ 5:)}7‘) sleep tonight, do you expect to see the:Editor of the Pioneer, your friends, the love ot your family, and the joy of life? many others afterward. But suppose we had to earn each day the right to live an-' print. other day? . 't How many of us each day would really ; chased some property in the north end of the city tomorrow? . l v deserve another yestigations and find both of these stories to be a Of course, \\'e.have our “good days" when things go well, fact that dozens of cit and we wear a smile, and are kind and decent, and brotherly north end of the ¢ and neighborly. i But some days we are “‘grouches.” We don’t talk right to our friends, or wife, or children. Let us ]ive each day as if we had to earn a tomorrow was the express and dray A A A P A A A RN PP WHAT OTHERS SAY W N o . Do vou wa e i . s i - Dear Sir:—I believe it is up to the newspapers to rectify the mislead- vou want to be alive to know the companionship of ing propaganda that is being circulated about the present park board. I Ify have louke_d every day for something denying gossip of this nature, but have Yyou are a normal man, vou want another tomorrow, and seen nothing, so thought best to write you a letter, which I hope you will i It has repeatecly come to my attention—in fact, it has been brought | into my home—that the park board paid $200 for a deer and that it pur-| I have made careful in- olutely false. The only property bought was the Ralph Gracie park. in spite of thu: ns urged the board to miake.an investment in the; _ The deer, two in number, were given to the board by tha State of Minnesota through its game warden, John Cline, and the on! ge from Gemmel to Bemidji. T am not opposed to anyone running for the office of Park Commis- sioner, but I cannot sit idly by and listen to deliberate falsehoods pass from Let us think that a tomorrow won" iv i m won't be given us, unless We mouth to mouth in order to discredit present members of the board. deserve it. s The Almighty Father of men, perhaps, is not a very strict bookkeeper. Undoubtedly He is ymore merciful than ju'st? 7 follows: It surely is from mercy rathe rthan justice that many of us, as we lay down the burdens and leave the opportunities of ___ —A WOMAN VOTER Editor's Note:—Game Warden John Cline verified the above as I Cost of decer, nothing; exvress, $6.90; drayage, $1.50; nails, lumber, crating and hauling at Gemmel, $8.00; total, $16.43. each day, are graciously permitted “another tomorrow.”—Ex- wa ek s i [ % O * change. i st S w8 DAILY PIONEER WANT ADS BRING RESULTS v money spent A Scotch thistle, twice with the lily of France, and once with the shamrock of Ire- and. My mother was an Frish woman.” | “Yon alibi yourself perfectly, Ricar- | do, and my curiosity is appeased. Per- mit me to continue my tale,” he added in Spanish, and forthwith le related with humorous detail his adventure at | the gangplank of the steamer that had borne him aad Ricardo Ruey south. Ricardo interrupted him. “We know all about that, friend Webster, and we knew the two delightful gentlemen had been told off to get you—unofficially. The Sobrantean revolutionary junta has headquarters in New Orleans. It is composed of political exiles, for | Sarros, the present dictator of So- brante, rules with an.fron hand, and | has a cute little habit of railroading | his enemies to the ccmetery via the | treason charge and thd firing squad. | He killed my father, who was the best president this benighted country ever had, and I consider it my Chris- | | tian duty to avenge my father and a | patriotic duty to take up the task he | left unfinished—the task of making over my country. 1. “In Sobrante, as in most of the coun- tries in Central America, there are | ! two distinct classes of people—the | aristocrats and peons—and the aristo- | i crat fattens on the peon, as he has ! had a habit of doing since Adam. We haven’t any middle class to staad as a buffer between “the two—which makes it a sad proposition. My father | waus an idealist and a dreamer and he dreamed of reform in government and a solution of the agrarian problem which confronts all Latin-America. He | trusted onc Pablo Sarros, an educated. | | peon, who had commanded the gov- ernment forces under the regime my father overthrew. My tender-hearted | | | machinations; and, the good Lord and -put for all that, I've done my dooty parent discovered that Sarros was plotting to overthrow him; but instead of having him shot, he merely removed | him from command. Sarros gathered { a handful of bandits, joined the old {‘ government forces my father had con- quered, hired a couple dozen Yankee actillerymen and—he won out. My father wuas captured and executed; the palace was burped, and my sister per- i ished in the flames. I'm here to pay off the score.” “A worthy ambition! So you organ- | | Orleans, ch?” . Ricardo nodded. “Word of it reached Sarros, and he sent his brother Raoul, chief of the intelligence bureau, to in- | vestigate and report. As fast as he i reported, Colonel Caraveo reported to { me. My father’s soa possesses a name to conjure with. Conseguently it was to the interest of the Sarros admini: They 1 watched every boat; hence my scheme | for eluding their vigilance—which, | thanks to you, worked like a charm.” | “But,” Webster complained, “I'n not | sitting in the game at all, and yet I'm caught between the upper and nether | millstones.” | “That is easy to explain. You inter- 1 fered that morning in Jackson square; | then Raoul Sarros met you going aboard the steammer for Buenaventura |;1nd you manhandled bim, and natural- | 1y, putting two and two together, he has concluded that you, are not only his personal enemy but also a friend and protector of mine and consequent- 1y an cnemy of the state.” “And as a consequence I'm marked - for-slaughter?” “It would be well, my friend,” Doc- tor heco suggested, “to return to the United States uutil after Ricardo wnd his friends have eliminated your Nemesis.” “How soon will that happy event | transpire?” | “In about sixty days we hope to be ! ready to strike, Mr. Webster.” Colonel Caraveo cleared his throat. “I understand from Ricardo that you and another American are interested in a mining concession, Mr. Webster.” Webster nodded. ! “Is this a concesslon from a private | Jandholder ov id your friend secure | ! it from the Sarros government?’ | “From the government. We pay ten | per cent. royalty, on a ninety-nine-year | | lease, and that's all I know about it. | "1 have never seen the property, and ' , my object in coming was to examine it ! | and. il satisfied, finanee the project.” | | #If you will return to your hotel, my dear sir,” Colonel Caraveo sug- | gested, “and remain there until noon | tomorrovw, I feel confident I can guat- | | antee you immunity from attack there- | after. I have a plan to influence my associates in the intelligence office.” “Bully for you. Colonel. Give me six- | | ty days in which to operate, and I'll have finished my job in Sobrante and | gotten out of it before that gang of cut- throats wakes np to the fact that Fm ! gqne. T thank you, sir.” | The least we can do, since you have | | saved Ricardo’s life and rendered our | cause a great service, is to save your life.” Colonel Caraveo replied. “This is more comfort than I had hoped for when I came here, gentle- ized the revolutionary junta’ in New men. T am very grateful, I assure you. Of course this little revolution vou're cooking up is no affair of mine, and I trust T need not assure you that your confidence is quite safe with me.” The Doctor and the Colonel imme- diately rose and bowed like a pair of | marionettes. Webster turned to Ri- cardo. “Ilave you had any experience in | vevolutions, my son?’ he asked. Ricardo nodded. “I realized T haa | to have experience, and so I went to | Mexico. I was with Madero through | the first revolution.” “[ow are you arming your men?’ “Manuliches T've got 20,000,000 | rounds of cartridges, 23 machine guns, | and a dozen three-inch field guns. I} have also engaged 200 American ex- | soldiers to handle the machine gun and the battery. These rascals cost | me $5 a day gold, but they’re worth | it they like fishting and will go any- | where to zet jt—-and are faithful” ! and the fact that you are both armed, ou are secretly mobilizing mountains, eh?” Webster rubbed his chin ruminatively. “Then I take it yow'll attack Buenaventura when you strike the first blow?” “Quite right. We must capture a seaport if we are to revolute success- fully.” “I'm glad to know that. TIl make It my business tb be up in the mountains at the time. I'm for peace, every rat- tle out of the box. Gentlemen, you've cheered me wonderfully. I will now g0 home and. leave you to your evil the jiggers willing, I shall yet glean a night's sleep.” He shook hands all around and took his departure. Aother Jenks was waiting for Web- ster at the foot of the stairs. He paused on the threshold. k «Mrs. Jenks,” he said, “Billy tells me you have been very kind to him. T want to tell you how much T appre- ciate it and that I stand willing to re- ciprocate any time you are in need.” Mother Jenks fingered her beard and reflected. *’Ave you met Miss Dolores Ruey, sir?” she quegied. “Your ward? Yes.” - «10w does the lamb strike you, Mr. Webster?” | «I have never met many women; I have known few intimately; but I should say that Miss Dolores Ruey is the marvel of her sex. She Is as beautiful as she is good, and is as fn- telligent as she can be.” “She's a lydy, sir,” Mother Jenks affirmed proudly. *“An’ I done it. You can see with arf a heye wot T am, by ber. From the day my sainted ‘Enery—'e wes & colonel o hartillery under President Ruey, Dolores’ father —hescaped from the burnin’ palace with ‘er an’ told .ne to raise ‘er a lydy for the syke of her father, as was the finest gentleman this rotten country'll| ever sce, she's been my guidin’ star. She's sclf-supportin’ now, but still 1 ain’t done my whole dooty by her. I want to sec 'er married to a gentle-| wan as'll maintain ‘er like a lydy.” “Well, Mrs. Jenks, I think you will ltve to see that worthy ambition at-| tained. Mr. Geary is head over heels in love with her.” “Aye. Willie's a nlce lad—I could wish no better; but wot 'e’s got ’e got from you, an’ where'll "e be if 'is mine doesn’t p'y big? Now, with you, sir, it’s different. You're a bit older'n 3illy, an’ more scttled an’ serious; you've made yer fortune, so Willie tells me, an’ not to go beatin’ about the bally bush, I s'y, wot’s the matter with you an’ her steppin” over the broomstick together? You might go a bloomin® sight farther an’ fare wuss.” “Too old, my dear schemer, too old!” John Stuart replied smilingly. “And she’s in love with Billy. Don’t worry. If he doesn’t make a go of this mining concession, I'll take care of his finances until he can do so him- self. I °do not mind telling you, in strictest’ confidence, that I have made my will and divided my money equglly between them.” “Gord .bless you, for a sweet, kind gentleman,” Mother Jenks gulped, quite overcome with emotion. Hastily Webster bade Motlier Jenks good night and hurried away_.to es- cape a discussion on such a delicale ' topic with Billy’s blunt and:singl minded landlady. His mind wgs in tumult, So it was that he paidzno at- | tention to a vehicle that jogged by him with the cochero sagging lowin his seat, half asleep over the reins, until a quick command from the closed in-: terior brought {he vehicle to an abrupt halt, half a block in advance of Webster. Save for an arc light at cach end of the block, the Calle de Concordia was dim; save for Webster, the car- riage and the two men who piled hur- riedly out at the rear of the convey- ance, the Calle de Concordia was .de-| void of life. Webster saw onc of the men hurriedly toss a coin to the coch- ero; with a fervent “Gracias, mi cap- itan,” the driver clucked to his horse, turned the corner into the Calle Eli- zondo and disappeared, leaving hislate passengers facing Webster and calmly awaiting his approach. He was within 20 feet of them when the taller.of the two men spoke. “Good evening, my American friend. This meeting is a pleasure we scarce- 1y hoped to have so soon. For the same we are indebted to Licutenant Arredondo, who happened to look back as we passed you,” and recog- nized you under the arc light.” Webster halted abruptly; the two Sobrantean ofticers stood smiling and evidently enjoying his discomfiture. Joach-carried a service revolver in a closed holster fastencd to his sword- belt, but meither had as yet made a move to draw—seeing which, Webster felt sufficiently reassured to aceept the unwelcome situation with a grace equal to that of his enemies. > “What? You two bad liftle boys up this late! I'm surprised,” he/replied in Spanish, He folded his arms, struck an attitude and surveyed them as might an indignant father. “You | kids have been up to some mischief,” | he added, as his right hand closed over | the butt of liis autematic, where it lay snuggled in the open holster under his | left arm between his shirt and coat. | “Can it be possible you are going to | take advantage of superior numbers to force me into a duel on your terms, my dear Captain Benavides By a deferential bow, the unwhole- some Benavides indicated that such were his intentions. “Then,” said Webster,” “as the challenged party I have the choice of weapons. I choose pistols.” | «At what range?” the licutenant ed with mock interest. - | «“\s we stand at present. T'm armed. Pull your hardware, you pretty pair of | polecats, and see if you can beat me | to the draw..” Captain Benavides’ jaw dropped slightly ; with a quiet, deliberate mo- tion his hand stole to his holster-flap. Lieutenant Arredondo wet bhis lips and glanced so apprehensively at his com- panion that Webster was aware that here was a situation not to his lking. «You should use an open holster,” \Webster taunted. “Come, come—un- Dutton that holster-flap and get busy.” Benavides' hand came away from the holster. e was not the least bit frightencd, but his sense of propor- tion in matters of this kind was un- dergoing a shake-up. “In disposing of any enemy in a gun fight, so a professional killer ouce in- formed me,” Webster continued, “it is a good plan to put your first bullet anywhere in the abdomen; the shock of a bullet there paralyzes your 0ppo- | nent for a few seconds and prevents him from returning the compliment, and in the interim you blow his brains out while he lies looking at you. _I have never had any practical experi- cnce in matters of this kind, but 1 don’t mind telling you that if I must practice on, somebody, the good Lord could not have provided two more de- lightful subjects.” ® Tie ceased speaking, and for nearly half a minute the three men ;Appraisecl each other. Benavides was smiling slightly s Arredondo was fidgeting; Webster’s glance never faltered from’ the captain’s nervous hand, | «You would be very foolish to draw,” Webster then assured BEena- vides. “If I am forced to kill you, it will be with profound regret. Sup- pose you two dear, sweet children run along home and think this thing over. You may change your mind by tomor- row morn—" The captain’s hand, with the specd of a juggler's, had flown to his hol- ster; but quick as he was, Webster was a split second quicker. The sound of his shot roared through the sllent calle, and Benavides, with his pistol half drawn, lifted a bloody, shattered hand from the butt as Webster's au- tomatic swept in a swift arc and cov- ercd Arredondo, whose arms on the fn- stant went skyward. “That wasn't a half bad duel,” Web- ster remarked coldly. “Are you not obliged to me, Captain, for not blowing your brains out—for disvcgarding my finer instincts and refraining from shooting you first through the abdo- men? Bless you, my boy, I've been stuck for years in places where the only sport consisted in seeing who could take a revolver, shoot at a tin can and roll It farthest in three sec- onds. Let me see your hand.” Benavides sullenly held up that dripping member, and Webster in- spected it at a respectful distance. “Steel jacket bullet,” he informed the wounded man, “Small hole—didn’t do much damage. You'll be just as well as ever in a month.” He helped himsclf to Arredondo’s gun, flipped out the cylinder, and slipped all six cartridiges Into his pahn. ‘Similarly he disarmed Benavides, pressed his regret that circumstances had rendered it Impcrative to use force, and strolled blithely down the calle. In the darkened patio he groped along the wall until he found” ' the swinging rope by which he had descended from his room—whercupon he removed his shoes, tied the laces together, slung them around his neck, dug his toes into the adobe wall and climbed briskly to his room. . * ® ® . . * The next morning Webster walted uatil Dolores appeared and then ac- companied her into the dining room for breakfast. “Well, how did you pass your first night in Buenaventura?” she inquired, in the manufacture of breakfast con- versation. “Not very well. Jiggers bit me and woke me up, and finally I fell into a trance aad had a vision—about you. After that I couldn’t go to sleep again. I was fairly bursting to sec you nt breakfast and read your palm. T've just discovered a wonderful systen “Show me,” she flashed back =nt him and she extended her little hand. He picked it up gravely and with the dull tine of a fork made a great show of tracing the lines on her palm. “You are about twenty-four years 0ld, and your ancestors were pure-bred Castilians who came from Mad crossing the Atlantic in caravels. By since the first Ruey landed on this coast the family has been identified with the government of the country in one way or another. When you were quite a little girl, your father, Don Ricardo Ruey, at that time presid of Sobrante, failed to suppress a revo- lution and was cornered ia the gover! ment palace, which was set afire. “Through the bravery and devotion of a cockney gentleman, Colonel Heary Jenks, an artillery officer in your father’s army you were saved from perishing in the burning palace. Col- onel Jenks turned you over to hi spouse, now known as Mother Jenk: with instructions to raise you a lydy, and Mother Jenks has carried out these instructions. Colonel Jenks and your father were executed, and Mother Jenks sent you to the United States to be educated. You had a brother, Ricardo Luis Ruey, older than your- self by seven or eight years, I should judge. In some mysterious manner you and your brother lost track of each other, and at the present moment he believes you perished in the flames that gutted the government palace. “You are of a proud, independent na- ture; you work at something for a liv- ing, and inasmuch as you haven’t been able to set aside a great deal of mon- ev from your earnin; you are plan- ning to terminate your visit to your native land at an early date and re- turn to the United States for the pur- | pose of gettiag back to work. These plans, summated. however, will never be con- “Why? Because you are to be mai ried to_a _nice. man and_live_happiiy (Cantinued on 1'ago 1) i