The Syracuse Journal, Volume 27, Number 17, Syracuse, Kosciusko County, 16 August 1934 — Page 3

THURSDAY, AUG. 16, 19M

Jim the Conoueror By Peter B. Kyne

Mignon awakened Roberta at seven o’clock next morning. "It’s Sunday.” she reminded her discreetly. "What will yon wear, miss?” Roberta had given, considerable thought to that very subject the night previous. "That sports suit I bought just before leaving New York." she answered promptly. Breakfast was ready on the gallery when Roberta came out looking for her host The table was set for two and Don Jaime was waiting for her. His lazy dark eyes swept her In one glance—from her white kid pumps to * her Titian head. “You are as beautiful as an army with banners. Miss Antrim." he announced In the matter-of-fact tone In which one proclaims that two and two make four or that a straight line is the shortest distance between two points. Not so much a compliment or the natural desire of a tnxn to flatter a woman, as a deflnite statement of fact. Roberta flushed—and hated herself for It. because It was not her habit to exhibit such apparent pleasure at comW pllments from men. Had the words come from any other man she would have had a careless retort: In all probability she would have tnld another man that he wasn’t looking so very beautiful himself. Rut again that strange sense of bafflement, of stupidity, almost, held her speechless. "1 suppose he’ll ask me If I slept well." she decided. "The usual banal query." He did not He tucked her Into her seat, sat down opposite, looked at her casually and said: “I see you had a good night’s rest In the gigantic bed of my ancestors. You appear much ref relied and I am very glad of It. And you arrive for breakfast promptly at eight. Punctuality Is a paramount virtue, particularly In women, so just for that you win a rose." And he leaned hack and plucked one from the vine that clam bored around a pillar of the gallery. "You’re too red for red roses,” he rambled on. handing it to her. "so this lovely mauve rose Is just the right shade " * ' "I’m not red. I’m auburn. Thanks for the rose, however. It’s lovely " ■w.ll, whatever ft Is. It suits me fine You ami I are going to be the best of friend*. Roberta." "Well. 1 like them fast on their * feet—and you’re a whiz hang. Jimmy. I’ve been trying very hard to dislike you but 1 must cnnfidqjt’s an up bill job." “Os course, it’s very unethical to ' like me," be admitted demurely. “L«t us say It la unusuaf and let It I go at that." Hi* eyes devoured her. “Roberta, you’re mighty sweet. I think, if I may. I’ll ('till you Bobby." - "My friends all do. Shamua. Fira ; away, old timer." She saw him swallow- something— I and It was not food. The Are died out of his eyes, and the sudden, wistful, iHtle boy look faded and was replaced by gravity, sternness, masculinity. “He’s nice." the girl thought. "He wouldnX take advantage of the fact that Put his guest to jSßpear to rush me. • Tj Oh yes. Roberta knew men. She could read*their faces and. conversely, their minds. For had not Don Jaime Miguel Hlguenes just assured her she was a* beautiful as an army with banners! "You’re a very happy man. aren’t you. Jimmy It seem* to me that with yon. life must be one glad sweet song” “Oh. It Is.” <he assured her.- "The •Inging started test night." Again hi* •yea burned into! hers for a Apia seeend. and again ape felt her face flushing hotly To ixfver her confusion she •aid Inanely: "I de wish you knew try Uncle Bill." "Not Interested tn the old reprobate, although If be should take a notion to show up at Valle Verde I wouldn’t sick the dogs on him. Have some bacon and eggs. I cured that bacon myself and am personalty acquainted with the hens that laid the eggs." Had he noticed her confusion, and waa this gay. frivolous banter merely • his kind way of helping her cover ft? J Roberta had an Idea It was His two •otters slouched apologetics Ily to the table and he appeared to forget Ro-* berta. to become absorbed In the dog*, feeding them atrip* of bacon and tittle pieces of bread steeped In bacon grease, talking affectionately to them the while as If they were human. Roterta reminded herself that Do* Jaime was the first young had ever neglected her to curry favor with a pair of English setter*, and was Interested to discover that she did not resent bls action. “What are you going to do about Robbie?" she Inquired presently. "Oh. Robbie. Nothing very much wrong with him. I suspected the flr . Im was tn and. tn order to verify my iHMptclons. 1 had Mrs. Ganby bring him here. He** been kept In the house because bl* mother, despite the fact , that she I* a trained nurse, motherlike considered him ton delicate to be allowed out very much. She had to make a Kring for the two of them, •o necessarily she ha* been forced to neglect the boy. •He require* sunlight and lots of It. Every day he lie* out In the sunlight mother-naked. I gave It to him tn small dose*. Ao he wouldn’t sunburn. Naw h»A« tanned. One arm and ope h”«

badly. With increased general health he will gain strength and the desire to be more active. Nobody ever exercised. without wasting energy, and. those who have no energy to waste do not care to exercise." “He adores you. Jimmy." "Well. If children and dogs do not like a man that’s a sign be had better begin to take stock of himself. I like Robbie. I like all children, even terrible children. I’m godfather to one hundred and eighty-seven and after mass this morning I’ll take on the one hundred and eighty-eighth." “Why are you so popular. Jiminv?" “For two reasons. If I'm godfather to the child of one of my people then, while an Hlguene* lives at Valle Verde, that chiM will always -dwell under Ihe mantle of the Higuenes philanthropy. He can’t be fired off the ranch. If he’s a male, and he’ll get something in the way of a hope chest If he’s a female." “You strange man! Os course a* a godfather you have to promise that If the. parents neglect to give their child a religious upbringing you will attend to the matter." “Haven’t I built a little church and haven’t I a padre on my payroll? Imported him from Mexico. The archbishop of this diocese doesn't know he exists, ao the old Soy’s a* free as air. I’m strong for freedom myself." “Is that why you have never married? Or have you?” “I haven't. When an Higuenes marries It takes. And I haven't married because you've been such a long time showing up at my ranch." "Why. Jimmy!" "1 thought for a while I'd surely have to go to Hillcrest. Dobbs Ferry, Westchester county. New York, and point nut to yon the error of your way, hut thanks to your Uncle Tom I was qtared that expensive journey. Then, too, I probably wouldn't have showed, to such g«»<»d advantage tn your country, because of the competition 1 loathe competition. It makes me lust a little bit jealous." For the life of her Roberta couldn’t help laughing. She had a habit of laughing at men when thev were proposing t« her or on the brink of It. She was at ease now no longer Inhibited by some quality In this man which she had never met In any other. If he was in love with her she had him foul -wherefore she laughed. To her chagrin he laughed with her. and instantly a horrible suspicion crossed her mind. Was this Texas longhorn merely Indulging in a mild flirtation with her? A hot rage swelled In Roberta’s heart and her laughter ceased abruptly. “This is very sudden. Jimmy." Her voice was cool. “That habit of being sudden i* • trait »lrat runs In the Higuenes blood. My father was « very sudden man. When he made up his mind to marry my mother, he appeared at her father** bouse and said to the old man: Tve come to marry your daughter. What have you got to say about it? Why, nothing at all! Here's the license and the priest’s outside. Where’* th* bride?'" “Well. If I had been the bride your respectable parent would have received the Jolt of hl* career.” “Fiddlesticks!" Don Jaime retorted sharply. "A woman worth having 1* a woman worth stealing. My father always declared women seldom know what they want. They think they want a lot of romance, when what they’re looking for I* a husband who’ll organize the show and run It with a Arm hand." "What do you know about women?" "Something less than nothing. But 1 know a heap about men! I'd most certainly be the bead of my bouse." “So would I!" "Not in my house, Bobby." “Is this argument tn the nature of • left-handed proposal?" "Certainly not. The time Isn’t rip* for that, nor do I know that It will ever be ripe. Pm merely arguing a relative proposition—a sort of hypothetical question. By the way. may I photograph you after we return from church, and may I have a print? Just one, please. Then you may destroy the plate If you will?" "1 never give my photograph to gentlemen on such abort acquantance." "That Isn’t answering my question." "No." "Then I'll hare to get along with the one 1 have. It Isn’t so good but It wi ll do." "Where did you possess yourself of my photograph T* “It’s a rotogravure and I got It out of a magazine.” "UH give you the photograph. Jimmy. I had some taken just before I left and I’ll send for one." "Thank you. but I want you just as you are this morning. I want you standing in that doorway. Then, after you go away, 1 can look at it and think how fine It would have been if you had stayed—-there In your own doorway looking out at me. Perhaps I may be able to fool myself into fancying yon standing there watching for me to come borne." “Not that, Jimmy. Think of me standing there awaiting the arrival of one of your men with the Information that the rest of the boys trill be here with the body directly." . t “Have another egg and some more bacon,” Don Jaime urged hospitably. “We’re talking toe much and there goes the first bell for mass."

CHAPTER IX The bell In the cupola of Don Jaime’s little adobe church was calling Its last summons to the faithful when Roberta and her host left the house on foot Don Jaime led her down the main aisle of the small church and crossed with her over to the organ which stood against the wall. The choir sat on benches in the rear of the organ and an upholstered chair stood beside the organ seat "For company,” Don Jaime murmured. and Indicated that Roberta should occupy It 1 The padre, in hl* vestments, entered from the sacristy, and as he advanced to the altar Don Jaime’s little organ crashed Into a sonorous prelude; then his brown choir, taking the cue from a vigorous nod of the master’s raven head, sang: ? Come. Holy Ghost. Creator blest And In our hearts take up thy rest. The girl watched Don Jaime, who knew not one note from another but who played amazingly well by ear because God had created him a troubadour. His dark face was alight with the delight he gleaned from his simple task; for all his huge body, there was tn his attitude and in the luster of his eyes something that proclaimed to her again the odd. little-boy quality in him. touching her as she had never been touched before. “Strange, strange man." the girl re fleeted. "There he sits with a look of exaltation on his face, and yet I know he prides himself on being too stern and original a thinker to be an orthodox churchman, to accept the Scriptures as literal, to have even the most remote Interest In the ultimate disposal of his Immortal soul. He killed my Uncle Tom and Is too honest to think of pretending to me that he regrets it. He's a strange mixture, yet there Is nothing complex about him. He thinks straight talks straight, and acts straight He couldn’t dissemble If he wanted to. Oh. dear. I’m afraid I wish 1 had never met him. He’s oue of those terrible men one must take seriously."’ The service proceeded. Roberta dreamed on. . . . Don Jaime’s low voice reached her. "Now. then. Bobby. do your stuff." She sang as she bad never sung before. “See their eyes.” Don Jaime whispered as she sat down. “The poor devils. They loved it Handel's ’Where’er You Walk* Isn’t sung tn our church, but who here knows the difference, and who cares? An encore. Bobby." She sang It Then she sat through a sermon In Spanish, at the conclusion of which the padre, addressing Don Jaime, begged him to convey his thanks and that of his pobrecltos to the American senorita. Don Jaime translated his message, and a few minutes later she saw him stooping over the lap of a girl and lifting therefrom an infant She watched him holding the stolid Infant while the sacrament of baptism was administered; she marked the pride and pleasure in the young mother’ll face at this signal honor conferred upon hers, when, the ceremony Jaime kissed the Infant and handed the mother the customary largess. To the godmother. too. he made a gift of money; then, with a paternal pat on the shoulder* of all concerned. Including the padre, he rejoined Roberta and together they walked back through the pueblo to the hacienda. At the head of the single street Don Jaime looked back. “A contented people." he declared. “Chilli peppers drying on every roof and ample corn for the tortillas; a tiny garden for onions and lettuce and beans, labor exchanged for bright calico and overalls and gingham at cost at the ranch commissary; no debts, no rents, no lawsuits.

I tty » * ,’jl | o I k

•he Marked the Pride and Pleasure In the Young Mother** Fac*. freedom from a puritanical code of moral*. Sometime* I could wish L too, were a peon. 8011-weevil and the price of beef bothers them not. nor taxes nor note* at the bank." “Nor sheep.” Roberta supplemented. "Speaking of which.” be continued, “we will ride out and visit the woollies after luncheon, if you care for a ride." • • • • • • • Crooked Bill was wondering why bls niece was such a poor correspondent, when Harms, the butler, entered with tile malt Crooked Bill pounced upon it. Two

j INDIANA SV SEPTEMBER H INDIANAPOLIS

TH® SYRACUSE MMJRNAI

envelops, one slim and tfie other fat, bore the return address of the Rancho Valle Verdg, so Crooked Bill opened the slim one andread: “My dear Mr. Latham: “I wired you fqr permission to pay my court to you* very lovely niece. Miss Roberta Antrim. In granting the desired permission, for which I am deeply grateful, you saw flt to give me some wholly unnecessary and rather silly advice on how to be successful in love. "My dear Mr.* 1-atham. you Know nothing of your charming niece’s disposition. The finest way in the world for me to kill my feeble prospect* would be for me to wrangle a guitar under her window and sing ‘Sobre las Olas.’ And anyhow, what’s your tn teresf In me that causes you to be so free with your foolish advice? I sue pect you would like to get me Dutch. “I think she likes me. but she doesn’t know whether I'm crazy about her or not. even when I swear ! am 1 figure that the best way to gel her winging is to keep her guessing but—quien sabe! If you have any other suggestions for helping along the game of your old friend Patricio Jesus Hig uenes’ son, let them fly. “Sincerely yours “J. M. HIGUENES" Crooked Bili\ read and reread this remarkable document and with a huge sigh laid It aside. “I’ve overplayed my hand." he murmured, and t<»ok up Roberta’s letter, which ran as follows: “Dear Uncle Bill: “I am ashamed of myself for having neglected you so. but the fact is I have been having such a wonderful time at Don Jaimes ranch (1 call him Jim my) that I haven’t had time to write. “Uncle Rill. he’s.marvelous Every body thinks so and says sp—consequently it \mst be true He is v£ry bold, he singsland plays divinely, he Is a sort of feudal baron and he works hard all day with his men He has thousands of acres of cotton, thou sands more of alfalfa, thousands more of cattle range, and all the cattle in the world. “I haven't thought of Glenn Hackett mo,re than twice since coming here and then only to compare him. to his disadvantage. to this amazing Jimmy if he'd only make love to me like a reasonable man should I think I'd fall for him —hard. “I enclose a number of photos. The one of Jimmy is excellent. Write soon “Your loving “Bt)BBY.“ With the calmness of despair Crooked Bill scrutinized the photographs. The one of l>on Jaime showed him on a gray horse with a day-old calf draped across his lap. "Caramba !" murmured Crooked Bill. “This fellow is no fat. oily, perfumed, lazy Mexican with a mustache The boy has sized Roberta up right—not the width of a gnat’s wing out of line —and he’ll win in a walk, as sure as death and taxes, unless I do something and do it muy pronto. I don’t want Roberta to marry into a mixed breed like the Higueneses. “Well, Roberta says if he’d only make love to her like a reasonable man she'd fall for him bard. That means she's still safef . . . Bill you've got to get that girl back home in a hurry. Those infernal sheep and my foolish scheming sent her to Texas, and tn order to get her home those sheep must be disposed of—in a hurry. God help me, TH ha\ to buy them myself—and if that Higuenes bandit ever gets on to the Identity of the purchaser, he’ll induce her to soak me so hard, when I’m unable to defend myself, that I’ll never have the to eat a mutton chop again. Glenn, my boy, fighting your fight la going to be mighty expensive, but as an adjunct to the family I guess you’re worth it” -He telephoned to_hia office in New York Instructing

> presume she’ll be glad to sell and git | rid of a nuisance.” Don Prudendo shrugged., “Maybe : so.” With ’ais eyes he Inquired what. Senor Bkxigett’s offer might be. Having looked up the market quotations j In an El Paso paper Crooked Bill ' promptly named a figure one dollar per head above the highest market quotations. Don Prudenclo stirred slightly. “I wee! sell you those sheeps, subject to j the confirmation by the court." he purred. “I am the executor* for the ; ee-state. The sheep have been count’ j recently and I wee] guarantee the j ’count 1 wee! write for you an offer | for all those sheeps.’wheech you will sign. Then 1 wee! accept subject to the confirmation by the court and you wee) pay roe now on account ten thou‘ dollars, no? T am queeck trader —like you.” Til have the money wired to the credit of the estate In any bank you i name It will be there tomorrowYou’ve sold something." Don Prudendo Alviso might have looked sleepy, but behind those slightly liverish eyes he was very wide j awake Within ten minutes he had William B. Latham sewed up on a contract of purchase and sale, provided the Court approved Don PrudenI do's action as executor. When Crooked Bill had the contract safely tucked In his pocket he commenced talking with Don Prudenciq, about the deceased Tom Antrim, and j learned that for a few days following Antrim's death the sheep had remained tn charge of one Bill Dingle. Antrim’s foreman. letter Dingle had 3 been rather forcibly relieved of his charges by Jaime Higuenes. of the Rancho Valle Verde. "That Dingle might be a good experienced sheepman to care for these sheep In case the court approves the sale.” Crooked Rill suggested hopefully, “Where might one get in touch with him?" Don Prudendo gave him minute dlrations fnr finding Mr. Dingle, and wwh a heart heating high with hope Crooked Rill took hts departure. and hie me out to saw those sheep off/ on Rill Dingle." he decided. “Til givr that grass thief a bargain he Just naturally won’t have the heart to refuse. Then Pl) get an airplane to freight me back home In a hurry, because I mustn’t waste any time with that Higuenes bird always on the Job. Once home. I’ll wire Roberta I’m very til and to come home immediately. After that—the Deluge." (TO BE CONTINUED.) UNDERGOES OPERATION Orrin Klink, who had been ill with intestinal trouble for the past two weeks at his summer home on Kale Island, was able to come to Syracuse, last Thursday. His condition became worse, Saturday evening, and he was taken to the Goshen hospital, Sunday, where he underwent an operation for . removal of his appendix. Mr. and Mrs. Klink’s son Jimmie is staying with his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Klink in Mishawaka. i

111 ■■■■■■ p- — - YOU TRY cooking You know electric rates are much lower. Do you really know, though, how little it now costs to cook electrically? The average family can cook electrically, if.it does not have an electric refrigerator, for about $2.95 per month—less than 10 cents a day. If you do have an electric refrigerator, the additional daily cost of electric cooking is even less. Electric cooking is the biggest household bargain X of the day. Remember—when you buy electricity for cooking, you also are buying cleaner and cooler kitchens, care-free baking and broiling, and all the other ads antages and benefits of electrical cooking. WTiy not try electric cooking for the next days without investing a cent for equipment? Your electrie dealer and we have a plan to bring this to you at no expense. Vm Tell your dealer or us and we will install a modern electric range in your home—nothing to pay—yours to try and enjoy for the next t>o days. We know you’ll like it. special offer is for a limited time only. B sure to get your application to us now. I INDIANA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY w - d - shannahan Division Manager.

OLD DECISION INVOKED TO UPHOLD NRa TENET '■ 1 ; BUFFALO—lnvoking a court decision handed down in Buffalo threequarters of a century ago; to uphold the tenet of the National Recovery Act code, City Judge Patrick J. Keeler awarded two dishwashers employed at a local restaurant a total of $162.22 against their employer. The dishwashers claimed that they were to receive a salary of sls a week, including meals under the PRA. They testified they did not get thq meals. Judge Keeler ruled that the general principle involved was laid down in the case of vs. Fox, decided in 1859 in the Superior Court-of Buffalo. This Case established that a contract may be enforced by a third party'where it was made for his benefit,, although the third party did not actively enter into the contest. We tike automobiling but do. not enjoy sitting on the oac|c seat behind the driver who chews natural leaf and sprinkles his i passengers when he expectorates.

— —- ' Too kF At this array of Attractions Offered at the Elkhart Co. Fair GOSHEN, INDIANA , -a ■j ' Aug. 28 to Sept. 1 FOUR DAYS - FIVE NIGHTS EXHIBITS RACING Fine Displays by 4-H Club Best Harness Horse Events ' " Members and Open Class Ever Offered. FIREWORKS MIDWAY Featuring 14 CLEAN SHOWS THE BATTLE OF BIG HORN 9 THRILLING RIDES VALLEY”' KEEN FUN NOVEL ACTS SEVEN TROVES SURPRISE PROGRAMS of Sensational Performers - SATURDAY AFTERNOON JUST A FEW DA YS LEFT TO BUY SEASON TICKETS - SI.OO WAWASEE RESTAURANT C. WORKMAN

Some people are continually making amusement for others and don’t know it.

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