The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1896-04-16

VI
Ilnnlllnk1ng that this was a decided point
~ IL her favor. he reused himself and
crossed e 'o'se the room to where she stood.
viii you dance?" he said. in his
musical voice.
She gave him her hand and he led her
out on the floor. IS.
WHAT is your name?" he asked.
lnez, she answered I'll am not
like the rest, I and she looked at him
half proudly, half apologetically.
IT is easy to see that" he replied.
but but not so easy to see why you are
mere He did not ask the question,
!. i but she answered it.
I hate the town." she said. bitterly.
but can't get away. MY mother died
mere she used to say her heart was
! broke '1s. / wish could leave it."
Fl he looked down into her beautiful
eyes. half smiling. Would you 20
with with me. sweetheart he asked, idly.
She looked up startled and hesitat-
ing; but before she had time to answer
the banjo music stopped with discord-
ant crash and rude hand thrust them
apart. Jack, turning sharply. found
himself confronted by one OF the musi-
clans, whom he recognized as the SUI
per1ntendent Of the Eagle Bird mine.
Curse you!" the young fellow said,
saVagely, what do you want with her?
She Is the one pure thing in this cursed
nole, and you shall not touch her"
Devore did not answer him, but
turned to Inez. "You have not an
swered 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 knife cleaned In the
air. For moment the two glared at
each other, while the other men crowd
ed around. silent and 10th 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 fierce
~. "Choosep he commanded. .sYou
KNOW love you and would give my life
Tor you, but I'd rather see you dead than
have him touch you, and 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 always been kind and gentle.
Both were waiting for her answer inn
patiently, and Devore's hand was on
his revolver-he was not accustomed to
defeat. She could not Choose, and.
Woman-like, burst into tears.
At this juncture, big Im," proprie-
tor Of the Jackpot" saloon, saw fit to
interfere. ''Quit your bawlin' now,
lnez," he ordered. you've raised devil
enough. You'd better square your
selves, boys, at 20 PAGES; a little cold
lead II soon settle the difficulty" And
ne 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 oppo-
site him, but the girl, where would it
lead her? His face took on a more Sc
rious look than anyone had ever seen
there. When he had tired of her, as he
surely must, what then? She was so
different, could she eyer 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 fired in the air. receiving
at the same time severe shock in his
right arm. IT pass" vas al he said,
When Jack Devore recovered his
senses, he was lying on rude couch,
and woman sat beside him, AS he
opened his eyes, she leaned forward.
and in the dim light he recognized her
Jack" she said, softly, .you know.
me, and know you, and reckon there
amt much love lost, but I'm glad you
didn't shoot. You remem Der. Lola. your
wife.
Jack did, and he stirred uneasily. 1t
had been hard to leave her, when he
was forced to leave Sacramento. she
was so pretty, and did not speak much
English, and she had followed him all
the way from Mexico Poor Lola!
Yes" he answered, shortly.
Because" the woman went on st
knew her. She died here; she loved Won.
Jack Devore, and Inez is her daughter.
hers and-yours."
There was silence for a long time.
then, as it began to grow oppressive
Jack said, in strangely softened
voice:
Does she-does Inez know it?''
No." the other answered.
Don't tell her, them" he said. "And
say, Rose"-he reached into his pocket
and painfully produced $500 in bills--
give her this, and tell her to marry
that Teller, and get out. You'll do it ?',
81 Yes answered the woman. ..Any-
thing else, Jack?' B
yes" was the quiet reply, ..I'm GO
ing; get me my pony, Rose, like good
girl
Half an hour later the sound of gal
looping hoofs was heard growing fainter
and fainter out on the moonlight mesa.
Bellido de Luna, in Argo-
naut.