Santa Fe daily New Mexican., 1896-05-13

10 Wu6I6 sJl6 SbUUu.
"Will you dance?" he said, in his
musical voice.
She gave him her hand, and he led her
out Oh the floor
"What is your name:" he asked,
''Inez," she answered I'll am not
like the rest, and she looked at him
half proudly, half apologetically.
''It is easy to see that" ho replied,
"but not SO easy TO see why you are
here" He did not ask the question, but
she answered it,
II hate the town." she said bitterly,
"but can't get away. My mother died
here; she used to say her heart was
broken. wish could leave it
He looked down into her beautiful
eyes, half smiling "Would you go with
me, sweetheart" he asked idly.
She looked up, startled and hesitating,
but before she had time to answer the
banjo music stopped with a discordant
crash and rude hand thrust them
apart. Jack, turning sharply, found
himself confronted by one of the musi-
clans, whom he recognized as the su
perintendent of the Eaglebird mine.
"D--n you,' the young fellow
said savagely, 'what do you want with
her? She is the one p-re thing in this
cursed hole, and you shall not touch
her.
Devore did not answer him, but
turned to Inez. "You have not answered
me" he said "Will you go?''
She looked into his eyes, half hesitat-
ing. He had taken a powerful hold on
her, that he could see, and felt sure of
victory, but she was flung to one side
and his assailant's S knife cleaned in the
air. For moment the two glared at
each other, while the other men crowd
cd around, silent and loath to interfere,
but bound to see fair play
Inez sprang between them. Don't,
Max, don't!" she cried.
The young man turned to her fiercely.
"Choosep' he commanded. "You know
I love you and would give my life for
you, but I'd rather see you dead than
have him touch you, and, by God, he
shan't"
She looked from one to the other,
afraid and doubling. The violence of
one terrified her, and the other was diff
ferent from any man she had ever known.
The chances of a new life opened before
her and dazzled her, yet Max had al
ways been kind and gentle. Both were
waiting for her answer impatiently, and
Devore's hand was on his revolver. He
was not accustomed to defeat. She could
not choose, and, womanlike, burst into
tears
At this juncture Big Jim, proprietor
of the Jack Pot saloon, saw fit to in
terfere. "Quit your bawlin now, Inez, :"
he ordered. "You've raised devil
enough. You'd better square yourselves,
boys, at 20 PAGES; little cold lead II
soon settle the difficulty" And he
laughed pleasantly as he marked off the
distance with long strides, and the men
took their places. A duel was the surest
way, after all.
Jack Devore took his aim with his
customary GOODNESS. In reality he cared
little for the girl-but he was not used
to being thwarted. He could easily kill
the young fellow who stood opposite
him, but the girl, where would it lead
her? His face took on a more serious
look than any one had ever seen there.
When he had tired Of her, as he surely
must, what then? She was so different,
could she ever sink to be one Of those
painted creatures? A curious impulse
stirred him, and when Big Jim gave the
word to fire he raised his arm and free
in the air, receiving at the same time 8
severe shock in his right arm. 'Ipass, y
was all he said.
When Jack Devore recovered his
senses, he was lying Oh rude oouch and
woman sat beside him. As he opened
his eyes, she leaned forward, and in the
dim light he recognized her as one Of
the hangers Oh of the place.
Jack" she said softly, "you know
me, and I know you, and reckon there
amt much love lost, but I'm glad you
didn't shoot. You remember Lola?"
Jack did, and he stirred uneasily. II
had been hard to leave her, when he was
forced to leave Sacramento, she was sc
pretty, and did not speak much Eng
lish, and she had followed him all the
way from Mexico. Poor Lola!
Eyes" he answered shortly.
Because, the woman went on, 81
knew her. She died here. She lovet
you, Jack Devore, and Inez is her daugh
ter, hers and-yours.
There was silence for long time
Then, as it began to grow oppressive
Jack said, in a strangely softened voice
docs she-does Inez know it!''
"No," the other answered
'tpnn't tell her. then,'' he said
"And say, Rose"-he reached into hi
pocket and painfully produced 5000 il
bills-"give her this, and tell her t
marry that feller, and get out You'll
do it?'
Eyes," answered the woman. "Any
thing else, Jack?"
eyes," was the quiet reply "I'r
going. Get me my pony, Rose. like
good girl"
Half an hour later the sound of gal
Looping hoofs was heard growing, fainte
and fainter out ON the moonlit mesa.-
Beatrice Bellido de Luna in Ss,n FraI
cico Argonaut.