Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1897-09-14

lined the forms Of a group Of men and
horses standing motionless in the shad-
0wH
CHAPTER VII.
In trying to find out who the stranger
was whose appearance at the tent en-
trance had been the cause Of Lupita's
demonstration and had resulted in
breaking up the show Felix and ] had
gained fur more information than we
had expected Our principal concern In
making the quest had been the safety
Of our horses. We now not only knew
that Sangrado. the undesirable suitor OF
Don Ramon's daughter, was lurking,
with his followers, about the station,
but also the purpose Of his visit and the
details Of the plot he was about TO put
into execution for carrying oil Carmen.
More than this, his conversation with
his lieutenant. Miguel, had informed usof
what was very important that we should
know-that Carmen was ignorant Of his
presence and that she would not will
ingly 20 away with him or so much as
consent to see him. 1t also made rs
aware Of the part Dolores was playing,
in which, through her sentimental at-
tachment for Miguel. she was acting
unwittirgly rs an accomplice In the
scheme to abduct her mistress.
There was no tie Of kindred or long
friendship to impcl my comrade and me
10 .ntangle ourselves in the hazards OF
interference with Mexican love affair
But In the light Of what we knew 1t
plainly belonged to us that we should
not permit Carmen TO be carried on
against her will by u bandit. So far
our duty was clear. As to our course OF
action. we had first to stay in conceal
ment where we Were until Snngrado
and his companion returned The mean-
ing Of their present excursion to the
station was only tn spy out the ground.
and it was almost certainty that they
would come back the same way that
they had gone. The time they would
have 10 consume in getting their men
md horses Ia readiness and in bringing
them up to their stations would give Us
time to return 10 the corral and there
take such measures to balk them as the
situation seemed 10 require.
In sbout 20 minutes Sangrado and
his lieutenant came back. moving
stealthily and swiftly down the long
shadow from the station. Al SION as
they had gained the shelter Of the mes
Quites they began to talk in low tones-
Sangrado was the first 10 spcaf.
"we must do il tonight, Miguel II
We wait to wayluy them on the trail,
the thing is Goubly dangerous. In that
case we must kill all but Carmen, and
then, M outlaw, of what use will the
old don's hacienda ON the Santa Cruz
ever be 10 me! But here no watch Is
kept, fer her father believes ner safe.
We are nearer our strongholds too. II
once get Carmen safe away from the
station, we shall be IN the morning
where 10 puIsuers can follow us. !"
1T is well. senor. Shall bring the
men and horses up ut Once!
"Stay moment. wish to think F"
Miguel, with instructive caution,
crouched as he waited little behind
his leader, who, shielded from view
from the station, stood erect and indif-
ferent to observation in the moonlight.
His clear cut, handsome face. showing
In profile beneath his broad sombrero,
was dark and sinister. His right hand
rested upon the butt Of the pistol at his
hip as If it were grasping sword hilt.
With his naughty attitude and the pic
turesqueness Of his "charro" costume,
be might well have served as the model
Of Spanish cavalier Of the sixteenth
century as he stood about TO embark In
an adventure SO desperate and 50 un-
scrupulous in purpose that it would
have been deemed not unworthy OF the
chivalry Of that epoch
His meditatim,s were brief. He turn
ed to his follower, who at once rose to
his feet and stool in an attitude OF at
| tention:
"We will bring the horses mp to the
edges Of the mesquites, he said.
"Then you will go to che station and
give Dolores the signal to come to you.
Get her away from the house SO far that
she can give DO alarm. Don't be far
away from the horses Twill leave them
| in charge Of Colombo. The other two
men will keep near me to help II neces-
sary. Then will enter the room and
n u