Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-09-14

- w. AAAS VIA ooAS OAu AL AotC u
Maria.
Then, in the thirteenth month Of his
imprisonment, the door of his cell opened
and man was thrust ina Mexican
and murderer, who crouched all day
long in the cell corner, smoking cisa-
rettes. He was little better than brute,
and his manner repealed Jackson, who
SAID little to the newcomer. But two
men cannot live together thus. They
must speak to each other or fall upon
each others threats. 1t was jackson
who made the first advance. and the
other soon proved loquacious enough.
He had news of the outer world, too.
and he came from Tia Juana Then
jackson questioned him eagerly, fierce
ly. His tale was soon told. and it meant
death to Jose Ruiz. Hate is often
stronger than love. Within three days
jackson had cut his way out and started
across country for his home, 80 miles
away.
And at last he stood upon the verge
OF the mesa and saw, as in Il dream, the
low wall, rambling. adobe house, the
grove of pepper trees, the little garden
patch with its dilapidated lath fence
Then, on Il sudden, as it seemed to him,
his foot was on the step, and he crept
cautiously across the veranda and peered
through the open, uncurtained window.
His greedy eyes took in every detail Of
the interior, and the smell of food,
crazed though he was with hatred,
turned him faint. He chung to the wall
for support and listened with abror-
mally keen ears to the talk within.
Maria and Jose still fingered at the ia
bic, the latter grown talkative and
boastful with much Wine. As jackson
listened he heard his own name spoken
sneeringly.
''Carramba. Yes" said Jose, shifting
the table with his fist. Il have news of
jackson. The alcalde will hold him no
longer. He is To be set free tomorrow. "
Maria uttered an exclamation Of
alarm. "Dios mic! Jose," she cried.
What shall we do? He will come here
at once, and he will kill thee, my Jose. +"
The man ut the window smiled grim
ly; the man at the table gave hoarse
laugh
He who starts for home does not al
ways reach it," said Jose. with empha-
sis. Fear nothing, pobrecita. Thy Jose
will die Of old age before the Americana
shall Stay him. Dost thou think have
no friends? The man will never reach
Tia Juana. The ruralcs are to take him
out of Ensenada and turn him loose in
the hills. As they return my friend the
tenicnte will lose his revolver. from the
holster and ride back to find it, Should
the others hear distant shot-ih, well,
they will not be too curious, but Senior
jackson will be seen 10 more
There was a long silence. The man at
the window could hear the ticking of
the clock and the clink of glass as
Jose filled and drank.
Then came the w6man's voice, thin
and quavering with horror: HE will
not do it. He must not do it, jose.
Surely there is some other way Let Us
80 away from here; let u.s.
1t is too late, thou foolr' cried
jose. ut will be over by daylight. Be
sides. the alcalde wishes it. Some one
is asking ugly questions about the
Americana who has lain so long in Jail.
Thy 'Gringo' is dead man. Maria
The woman fell to weeping, and at
last Jose rose with Gn cath.
Howl for your 'GrinSo' lover, you
she coyote!' he cried, dropping the
more affectionate thou" Il have an
GRAND ut the village. and / look for
smiles when 1 come home If not,
know where they may be found
How long wilt thou be gomez" asked
Maria timidly.
1.-Two hours at least" he answered,
and throwing open the door he passed
out so quickly that the man at the win.
dow had scant time to drop into the
shadow of Il great geranium and crouch
there in the dust
Jackson waited until the sound of
Jose's footsteps died away, then crept
toward the door. II was ajar, and he
could sec Maria sitting at the table,
with her head bowed upon her out
stretched arms. He sought to enter
noiselessly, bat the door creaked and
Maria raised her head. She did not
start or cry out, but her face grew ashen
and her eyes stared in terror. Jackson
crossed the room, and. taking his rife
from the wall. saw that it was loaded.
Then he went to the table and sat down
i'll Josc's place.
Il have come home, Maria" he said
simply and helped himself to the food
before him.
He was calm now-calm as fate. The
game was i'll his hands, and he would
play it calmly to the end. He ate raw.
eneusly. like a famished dog, and, un-
til he had satisfied his hunger. said not
word to the trembling woman oppo.
site. Thrice she essayed to speak, but
his appraised hand commanded silence.
When at last he spoke. his voice had a
hard monotony devoid of all emotion.
His deadly earnestness was intensified,
rather than made less. by the rugged
simplicity Of his language.
''Idon't guess you was lookin fer me,
Maria" he said. But 1 come because
l had work ter do. / don't guess there s
very much ter be said. You've wrecked
my life-you an Jose-but you done il
with your eyes open an took the chances.
The games gone again you it's my play,