Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1890-03-14

bargain with you about it. But IL you
are my friend you will do as I would
like to have you do"
Then they had long talk, and Flicker
began to understand how miserable such
a bad life was, and why Miss Mabel was
so anxious to get him away from it; and
he told himself that she should never be
disappointed in him again.
The next few days he devoted to pro-
curing his outfit; then one night ne came
to say good-by, wondering sadly when
and where they would meet again, for
who should say how long he might be
gone?
"Tll say one thing" he said; "this
moneys loaned ter nae. I'm a-goin' ter
pay it back. The first streak o luck
get, I'll come ter you ter pay my debt if
hev ter hunt you all over the United
States"
And then he tried to thank her and
promised that she should not find her
trust in him misplaced, and, though he
could find but few words. she understood
and was satisfied. The next morning he
went away.
when one day a fine looking young man,
riding strong pony, drew up in front
of what had been Wing Lun's hotel and
looked about in a confused way. OF the
busting camp nothing was to be seen
but few dilapidated and deserted cab
ms. The only signs of life We're at the
hotel, now apparently a roadside inn. A
number of horses stood saddled and tied
to the fence, while their owners talked
on the porch so excitedly that they did
not notice the newcomer until he called
out greeting and asked:
"Is this Sykesburg?"
"Waal," drawled a tall man, evil
IDENTIFY the proprietor, coming forward,
sits what's left of it. Was yer pertike-
lerly anxious ter find Sykesburg?" he
asked, looking up inquisitively. why"
he exclaimed; "ef it amt Flicker-little
Flicker! Shake hands, sonny. Don't
yer remember Long Jim? Say, bub," he
continued, growing grave and speaking
rapidly, ''hev yer struck luck? Becase
eff yer hev, we've come in the nick o
time. There's friend o yourn in
trouble"
Yes, I've had luck, said Flicker, lay
ing his hand on leather pouch that
hung from his belt. "Who needs help"
THAT thar Miss Kennedy" Jim re-
piled, as somehow Flicker had felt that
he would. Cit on yer horses, boys. he
shouted to the men. setting the example
by jumping on his own, and in a few
minutes a cloud of dust enveloped the
party as they took the road to San Luis
at full speed, Jim explaining to Flicker
as they went.
A year and half ago the mine had
suddenly ceased to produce anything;
the company disbanded and the camp
was deserted. Mr.. Kennedy and his
daughter shortly afterwards removed to
San Luis. Mr.. Kennedy had been utter
ly ruined by the failure of the mine. He
and Senior Hernandez had quarreled be-
fore this and were not on speaking terms,
and, knowing the senor's character,
every one was surprised when he how
came forward and renewed his friend
ship with Mr.. Kennedy, advising him to
open store in San Luis and insisting
upon loaning him the money needed; and
dreaming what terrible revenge the
willy Mexican was planning for his fan
cied wrongs.
Among the old Mexican statutes was
the infamous one which enabled person
if he could not obtain money that was
owed him, to make his debtor a peon-
that is, a servant-until the amount owed
/ ,at l. II.
ing buC wretched slavery.
Hernandez. therefore. had pressed hi,
loans on Mr.. Kennedy, knowing that
they could not be paid and intending tt
make him peon. Just as this was about
| to be done his unsuspecting victim dieG
| suddenly. 1t was an easy matter to make
his daughter responsible for the debt
and before she realized what had occur
red she found herself threatened with
this terrible fate unless the money coulC
be produced on this very day of Flicker,
return.
"These fellcrs. said jim. indicating hi.
companions. Just come from thar, an
they SEE ole Hernandez is sayin' as he
means ter send her inter Mexico. | hope
we git thar in time ter stop that off; shell
be skeered half ter death. We was think
in wot to do wen yer come up" he con
tinued, "but we amt got much money
an thar amt enough on us ter take hel
out o that nest o Mexicans by force
sides, the ole feller's got the law back o
him."
Flicker's blood rushed like fire through
his veins: he was almost beside himsel
with pity and Indignation; and he coulC
not even think of her having perhap
started in captivity for Mexico. for
though. of course. they would follow an,
bring her back, he thought the anguish
of terror would be enough to kill her
His horse was a swift one, but only wing
could have carried him fast enough.
They We're in time, however; the Grove
of MeXicans in the street scattered befor
the flying hoofs and Miss Kennedy saw
figure spring toward her and heard
=. H..