JIM THE CONQUEROR

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 112, 21 February 1941, Page 7

JIM THE CONQUEROR

CHAPTER XXVI. ' In the late afternoon Don Jaime dropped into a vacant chair beside Crooked Bill on the veranda of the Mansion House, .after first inquiring, ip Spanish, if the chair was reserved for any friend of his. “Not' at all,” Crooked Bill replied in the same language, albeit haltingly, for the years had been long since his tongue had caressed so many vowels. “Help yourself, my friend.” “I thank you,” Don Jaime replied in English, “I observe you do not speak Spanish top well/1 beg pardon for addressing you in that tongue, but observing that you appear to be of this country I supposed you spoke the language of tho country.” “Never was much of a hand at foreign languages,” Crooked Bill replied. Don Jaime produced two cigars and handed one to his neighbour. Crooked Bill saw that it was a brand that retailed at three for a dollar, and decided he might risk it. “Much obliged,” he murmured. “I’m a stranger here,” he added. “My name’s Blodgett—William Blodgett.” “I am pleased to, meet you Mr Blodgett. I am Jaime. Miguel Higuenes.” Crooked Bill started noticeably. “Ah, you have then heard of me?” Don Jaime’s face betokened mild surprise and inquiry. “Why yes, Senor Higuenes—if you will forgive me for bringing up a delicate subject. I believe you’re tho young man who wafted old Tim Antrim into the bosom of Abraham.” “I had th@ pleasure,” Don Jaime replied modestly. “Would you .mind shaking hands with me, Senor Higuenes ? That was a first-class job of work you did on Tom. I’m delighted to meet you, sir.” “The pleasure is mutual, Mr Blodgett. You knew Antrim?” “I should tell a man. He skinned me on a cow deal once.” Don Jaime smiled. “What part of our glorious Lone Star state do you hail from, Mr Blodgett?” ho inquired presently. “I come from El Paso.” This was true. Cropked Bill had changed trains there. “Thinking of settling in this part of the state?” “Oh, no! Fact is, I came down here to buy those sheep from Tom Antrim’s estate.” “This is most-unfortunate, Mr Blodgett. I air. a cowman and I bad no idea I was fraternising with a sheepman.” Crooked Bill liked this young man’s gay frankness and humour, although it disturbed him. Here (he reflected) was exactly the sort of male biped to appeal to his niece. Undoubtedly Don Jaime was one who could fence with that young woman, a foeman worthy of her steel. He had guessed as much after reading Don Jaime’s letter to him and now he was certain of it. “I hear Antrim’s niece, who is his heir, is a guest at your ranch, M,r Higuenes,” he said cautiously. Don Jaime nodded. “Is she anything like her uncle?” “Tow Antrim was, her misfortune, not her fault. Miss Antrim is, without doubt, the most delightful, fascinating provoking, adroit-, belligerent, sportsmanlike and honest young lady it has ever been my fortune to meet.” “You’re in love with her,” Crooked Bill charged. Don Jaime shrugged. “What else would one expect?” “Well, do you stand a Chinaman’s chance?” “I killed her uncle.” “Yet she’s your guest.” “Oh, she realised I bad no other alternative. However,, under the circumstances I have thought it the part of wisdom to remain the good friend. lam afraid of that young woman. I fear she would not be an ideal wife for a Higuenes.” “You’re an ass, young man,” Crooked Bill cried sharply, all of his love and loyalty to his niece instantly outraged. “If she’s all that you Ijave just told me she is, she’s a prize and you’re a lobster not to go- in and win her. Forgive me for telling you your business, but I’m an old man and I’ve known what it is to have that sort or wife.” “I have some pride,” Don Jaime murmured, sadly. “I could not risk a refusal. It would kill me. Moreover, there is another mail —some fellow in New York.” “Oh!” Crooked Bill was relieved. He

By PETER B. KYNE, Adventure and Love in Texas.

(Copyright).

was discovering things, and discoveries were not unpleasant. He eyed Don Jaime closely. “Dog-gone fine, upstanding, sort of chap,” he soliloquized. 1 ' J “So you’re going to buy the Antrim sheep?” Don Jaime resumed. “I’ve bought them—subject to the approval of the heir and the probate court.” “I’m afraid neither one will approve, Mr Blodgett.” “Why? I’m giving all they’re worth'. Perhaps more.” “Unfortunately, I want those sheep. They’ve been feeding -fog two months on grass that’s rightfully mine and they’ve done so much damage to my range I might as well keep them there and, make a profit out of thorn for Miss Antrim, She tells me her uncle, who was very rich, has gone broke in the market, and she’s hocked the sheep and the ranch to help him out. Says, he was mighty good to her while he had money and now sbe’s not going hack on him.” “By George, she is a sport, isn’t she?” ’ “If I permit you to buy those sheep, where do you intend to graze them “Don’t intend to graze them. I’m going to sell them immediately.” “Locally?” “Perhaps.” “That makes it ,a little binding. 1 wouldn’t like to see you sell those sheep locally. While I can stand them on my range, for Miss Antrim's! sake, my ; forbearance would eenssa if they belonged to anybody else and continued to trespass on my range.” - “Is it your range?” “No, it’s state land, but I control the water. So I fear I’ll have to outbid you on those sheep, Mr Blodgett.” “I’ve got my heart set on them, son, and when that happens I usually get what I go after.” . Don Jaime concluded it was time to strike. “Yog went after my dad once —and you didn’t get him. He got you —rin the heel. And the old greaser spirit isn’t frozen in th<e veins of Patricio’s son,-Mr William B. Latham!’ . Crooked Bill appeared about to collapse in his chair. «. . ■ * “I haven’t figured out what you’re up to, Mr Crooked Bill, but it’s devious, and Mr Glenn Hackett is helping you out. You’re framing something on me, and I think you merely want to get those sheep .out of the way so your niece can be ordered home, leaving little Jaime Miguel Higuenes bereft. Not so, Bolivia.' Those sheep stay and Roberta stays. I’ve; got to have my chance. I’m a fast worker, but there’s such a thing as indecent haste in courtshin and I decline to disturb my dignity by appearing clamorous. That sort of thing would be fatal to my chances. Your niece is an outrageous coquette, if you must know it —and I bet you do—so it’s my job to marry her, and I’d like to see the photograph of the antediluvian uncle that can throw a cold chisel into- my cogs and get artv’ay with it.” Crooked Bill thought of all the things lie would have to explain' if Roberta ever learned what he had been up to, and his thoughts saddened him. “Can you fix it with the judge to disapprove the sale?” “Certainly I’ll offer ten cents- a head more for those sheep than you have. I can’t spare that amount of ready cash to put into sheep just now, so you’ll loan me the money, secured by a chattel mortgage on the sheep—*” “But I’ve already agreed to turn the sheep over to someone else,” said Latham. “Who is that person?” “Bill Dingle. I haven’t sold them to him yet, but the deal is ready to he closed.” < “Ah, no jawbone, oh? You’re going to take a chattel mortgage and sell at a loss, for Dingle is too good a sheepman to give you a profit on your deal.” Don Jaime commenced to chuckle. “You’re doomed to pay a high price for your fancies. Uncle William. Dingle will sell those sheep as soon as he can and heat it for parts unknown with the money, leaving you to charge that chattel mortgage off on your next income tax statement.” Crooked Bill’s face registered alarm, “You think so?” “Well, after you’ve closed the deal, lie’ll try to. And he’ll succeed unless he’s stopped. You’ve bought yourself a little shooting scrape, that’s what you’ve -done. Let me know the minute thq deal with Dingle is closed, because immediately thereafter I’m going to guard every water-hole, and those sheep of yours- will'die of thirst before Dingle can move them off that range.”

“You appear to he holding all the aces.” “It’s a habit of mine. AVhat are you going to do about it?” “I think I’ll sell you those sheep,” Crooked Bill faltered. “You’re regaining your senses. I’ll buy them at two dollars a head less than you paid for them.” “if I sell to you, will you give me your 1 word of .honour pever to tell Roberta a word about this?” “I’m willing to make that stipulation a part of the contract and set an agreed amount of damages to he paid if I fail to keep my covenant. .However, most folks in this- country, usually take my word of honour, which I now freely give. Let’s shake hands on it.” That night Crooked Bill left for home. He knew when he had met his match. (To be Continued.)