Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1900-12-19


Unheeding. Isadore showed the old
man out OF the way and sprang through
the door. Outside, the freshness of the
sparkling air cooled his brain, and the
sight OF the distant mountains brought
back the memory OF Baltasar and the
men whose lives depended upon his
own life He paused within the shad-
ow and watched the guard turn at the
corner of the house where Luisa Law
and walk with leisurely step down the
row OF black adobe buts. The CLEAN
or his gun barrel maddened the In
Dian What right had that man TO
stand between him and his dying wife.
TO prevent his looking into her eyes and
nearing her voice7 He drew out his
revolver. 1t would be easy enough to
send a bullet there Just under the left
shoulder. and then he might take Luisa
IN his arms. kiss her farewell and es-
cape. His people would help him. His
hands shook as he turned the weapon.
out with his American citizenship he
had adopted the cowboy code-he would
not shoot man In the back. And. be-
sides. the man was but carrying out
orders. as he himself was doing.
little CLEAN Of light from the room
where he knew his wife must lie At
tracted him, fascinated him. II he
could look into that window, catch one
glimpse OF her face. hear her voice call
ing his name. then he might be able TO
go back TO Baltasar. He measured the
distance with his eve. He could cas-
lily reach the window while the watch
mans hack
man would not shoot him for looking
ln at window. He could outrun any
pursuer. but an alarm would mean de-
lay. perhaps the failure Of his mission.
With an oath he admitted that the risk
was too great. He m4st go back to
the mountains without seeing Luisa
he should never see her again. He hid
his face In his hands. with a groan of
actual physical suffering: then. with a
long look at the little light. he turned
away.
The women. the wives and sisters of
Chepe's two sons, who were With Bal
tasar. were huddled about the door to
watch the figure In the shadow. They
greeted his return with tears and whis-
perings Of joy. but he pushed past them
to old Chepe. who squatted on the floor
In front of the black fireplace. his head
sunk between his knees. Shaking his
shoulder. Isadore said: MAKE ready
quickly and send Juan for your best
horse Fifty miles must lie behind me
before the sun rises'
Soon, with eyes turning again and
again toward that feeble little light OF
the window, he was stealing away
through the shadows. Outside the vii
lage Juan met him with the horse.
There was little danger OF Interruption
now on the lonely road that stretched
away, a white thread through the dark
mesa, and he put the pony TO a steady
gallop. He might think now. Just as
he had started one of the women had
spoken: ''The white doctor does great
things. and the white doctor gives the
medicine TO Luisa. She may not die
perhaps. Old Teohla-Quien sabef-old
Tcofila may not speak true"
"Teofila knows well the signs Of
death" Isadore had answered bitterly.
But he snatched at the thought II was
true. he had known the doctor TO work
miracles, and Teotila might mistake
at least she might mistake the time
Luisa might live two days. three days.
She might not die at all. II win see
her again yet" he swore to himself
II must carry these accursed cartridges
to Baltasar. but will return. Before
the moon goes down again l will be
with Luisa, and then she may not
die. We Will go back to the rancho, to
the little house. and be happy again.
Yes" he repeated again. they may
tight II II pleases them, but | Will take
Luisa and go back to my cattle That
Is best"
BE burned with impatience when he
thought OF the distance ahead of him.
He grew reckless and urged his horse
on with no thought OF danger until the
steady beat OF hoofs. mufiied by the
soft dust. startled him. There was no
hiding place here on the open plain.
He cursed his carelessness and used
his Spanish bit and spurs wickedly. Ii
ne could reach the wash. with its bro
ken banks. he might escape unnoticed.
But his half starved pony was no
match for the long strides Of the horses
behind They gained, and at last he
heard an order to halt. and a moment
later bullet tipped past his ear He
rode at full speed down a steep bank
and wheeled his horse at right angles
into gulch so narrow that his knees
scraped the sides. IL was a desperate
chance. but the patrolmen. wrapped in
cloud of their own dust. dashed by.
and by the time they had agreed as to
their blunder Isadore was galloping
across the country out OF range.
He-was able to push his sturdy, sure
footed little beast over some miles of
the trail: then. after taking a little |
food. he started on without waiting for |
sleep or for daylight The cartridge |
belts about his waist twisted and chat |
ed with every movement; the sack OF |
ammunition grew more leaden at ev- |
cry step OF the endless. upward climb; |
bis eyes were weighted with sleep and |
bis feet clumsy with WEAKNESS, but he |
paused only TO pant for breath after |
some heavy pull. He was driven re- |
lentiessly on by the thought OF the men |
IN peril ahead and behind Luisa dying
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