Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1901-10-31
CHAPTER XVI.
HOW HARDING FULFILLED HIS
PLEDGE.

At dusk Jocosa had slipped from the
rear door of the jacal and. throwing
herself face down on the ground. had
wriggled like a snake into the under
brush. So silent and swift were her
movements that Lois, watching her
through crevice in the side of the lit
tie building, could not have told how
or when she disappeared. Then the
lonely woman turned for consolation
to her knowledge of the characters OF
the two men upon whom she depended
for aid. Again and again through the
long night hours she started from her
chair in the belief that she heard the
roll of hoofs only to realize that it was
the sound of the wind in the huisaches
and to sink YEARLY back again. A
more dreadful vigil it would be difficult
to imagine, for her terror was for an
other much dearer to her than herself.
She was standing in the door cf the
jacal with her ear bent ia keen listen
ing when the stars began to grow pale
in the east and the first faint bars OF
the coming light showed in the sky.
She knew then that the time of trial
was near at hand and that every mo-
from diamonds. Still there was no
sound save the slight murmuring OF
the breeze in the branches. Gradually.
as the light grew, the camp began to
stir. A woman appeared and went
down to the stream for water. Then a
man came out and went the rounds of
few huts, knocking at the door of
each. In response armed smugglers
appeared and fell into line with some
semblance of military precision. These
were the sentries for the morning
Each of them took his post and the re-
lieved men came in pale and yawning
Smoke began to rise from the dirt
chimneys and by broad daylight every
one apparently was a wake. If Lois
had known the Mexican character bet
ter she would have known that she had
more time, for whether criminal, or
law abiding, it is people that never
does anything promptly. Indeed, the
first red rays of the sun had shot far
up the heavens before breakfast was
ready. Her own was not brought to
her, Vavara believing that it would
be prepared by Jocosa. That gallant
and sanguinary chieftain made his ap-
pearance only when called He came
at last from a little hut at the far end
of the colony, dressed in his bravest.
Lois had gathered that he was TO play
the welcome part of butcher and she
noted sickeningly that In the crimson
sash about his waist was stuck a gilt
tering revolver with an ivory handle.
He moved slowly and seemed in no
hurry to expedite matters. He took
his breakfast leisureiy, squatting upon
the grass under a spreading pecan and
keeping two of his attendants busy
waiting upon him and trotting for
fresh food Then four of the smugglers
came bearing tray upon which eata-
bles were placed. They entered the hut
in which the prisoner was confined and
closed the door after them. Evidently
he was not to be sent to his death
hungry.
1t occurred to the girl, even in her
agony that she should spare no effort
to delay the execution as much as pos
sible so, waiting until Vavara had fin
ished, brushed the crumbs from his
tight velvet trousers and rolled a Gig
arito. she beckoned a passing woman
and in broken dialect begged her to
tell her overload that the Sonora
Glynn" wished to speak to him He
came at once, all politeness and atten-
ton. She stood in the doorway to pre-
vent him entering and said
1T is time, | think, Senior Vayara.
that deception should cease. am
willing to say to you now that am the
Sonora Glynn and wish to ask wheth-
er you have as yet communicated with
my husband and fixed my ransom"
Every white tooth in his dark face
flashed as he bowed and said:
Il was sure that the Sonora would
see the propriety Of admitting her iden-
titv. | have not as yet communicated
with the Senior because OF other mat
ters which have claimed my time The
matter shall be attended To today. As
for the ransom, $4,000 would be a
small price to pay for so great a beauty
and so fond spouse. Surely it is so,
no.
She waved the compliment aside and
asked:
what IS to be done with the seacr
Weston2'
The answer was savage and instant:
The traitor IS to be shot directly"
BY whose band?"
BY mine.
But surely YOU viii listen 10 me. I,
the Sonora Glynn tell you that the
Senior Weston was shot by one Of the
Englishmen al the secret ford, was
brought to the rancho almost In dying
condition, was nursed back 20 life and
made his escape in the night time only
a few days ago The information Of
the raid was given by Juan Cara who
was a rancho hand and was sent 10 you
to enlist so that you might be betrayed.
GaFza is at Bacones"
Now. Vavara had had some misgiv-
ings during the night and the words 0.
the woman whom be believed 10 pe the
rancho mistress convinced him yet he
was Jealous Of Weston and was more
over as obstinate as pig 30 he said:
The Sonora may trust me TO know
traitor when I see one The man has
been tried and legally convicted and
must die in a little while. Indeed IL is
now time that he were put out Of the
way. wish to spare the Senora's
nerves and she will oblige me by go