Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1902-09-13
CHAPTER XVI.

At dusk .Jocesa had slipped from the
rear door of the ijacal and, fihpowSng her
self face down on the ground. had wrig
gfed like a snake into the .sInderbrush
So silent and swift were lfel, movements
tbRt Lois, watching her through a crevice
in the side of the little building, could
not have told how or whsn>she disappear
cd Dhes the lonely woman turned for
consolation to aher knowledge of the char
,acters of the two men upon whom she
depended for aid. Again and again
through the long night hours she, started
from her chair III the belief that she
heard The rell 5of hoOfs. only 10 realize
that it was the sound of the wind i'll the
huisaches and TO sink YEARLY ba OK again
A more dreadful vigil it would" be diff
cult TO imagine for iher terror was for
another much dearer to her than herself
She was standing in the door of the
jaca with her ear bent in keen listening
when the stars began to grow pale in
the east and the first faint bars of the
coming GghtSshowed in the sky. She knew
then that the time Of trial was near. al
hand. and that every moment was as pre-
cions as though minted from diamonds.
Still there .was"nO sound save the slight
murmuling 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 of water Then
a man camepout and went the rounds of
& few huts, knocking at the door of each.
in response armed smugg!ers appeared
and fell into line with some semblance
of military lprecision. These were the
sentries for the morning Each of them
took his pest and the relieved men came
in, pale and yawninS Smoke began to
rise from the dirt chimneys and by broad
daylight every one apparently was
awake. II Lois had known the Mexican
character better she would have known
that she had more time, for whether
criminal, or law abiding, it is people
that never does anything promptly. In
deed, the first red rays of the sun had
shot far up the heavens before breakfast
was ready. Her own was not brought
10 her, Navarro believing that il would
he prepared by Jocosa. That gallant and
sanguinary chieftain. made his appearance
only when called. He came at last from
little hut at the far end of the colony.
dressed in his bravest. Lois had gath
cred 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 glttering revolver with an
ivory handle. He moved slowly and SEEM
ed in no hurry to expedite matters. He
took his breakfast leisurely, squatting
upon the grass under Il spreading pecan
and keeping two of his attendants busy
waiting upon him and tTotting for fresh
food. Then four of the smugglers came
bearing tray upon which eatabes 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 muGh as possible,
so, waiting until Navara had finished,
brushed the crumbs from his tight velvet
trousers and rolled cigarito. she beck
oned "a passing woman and in broken dia-
lect begged her to tell her ,oyerlord that
the Sonora Glymn" wished to speak to
him. He came at once. all poditeness and
attention. She stood in the doorway TO
prevent him entering and said
ut is time, j think, Senior NaYara. that
deception should cease. ! am willing to
say to you now that l am the Sonora
Glynn and | wish to ask whether wbeth-
or you have as vet 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 identity |
have not as yet communicated with the
senior because of other matters which
have claimed nay time. The matter shall
be attended to to-day. As for the ran
som, $4,000 would be a small price to
pay for so great q beauty and so fond
spouse. Surely it rs SO, noT
She waved the compliment aside and
asked:
What is to be dane with the Senior
Weston?''
The answer was savage and instant:
The traitor is to be sLot directly"
by whose handE'
BY mine"
But surely you will listen to me- /.
the Sonora Glynn, tell you that the
Senior Weston was shot by one Of the
Englishmen at the secret ford, was
brought to the rancho almost in dying
condition, was nursed back to 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
rancho hand and was sent 10 you 10
enlist so that you might be betrayed.
CARA is at BALCONIES"
Now, Vavara had had some misgiylngs
during the night and the words Of the
woman whom he believed to be the rancho
mistress convinced him, yet he was jeal-
Gus Of Weston and was moreover as OBJ
stnate as a pig. so he said:
The sonora may trust me to know
traitor when l see one. The man has
been tried and legally convicted and must
die in little while. Indeed it is now
t4nle that he were put out of the way.
wish 60 spare the senora's nerves and
she wiz oblige me by going inside and
shuttiRg the door. No? Then l must
call my Iaen and use SONG Aight force"
He had turned to beckon his followers
when Lois, seeing that further argument
was useless, closed the door and bolted it,
standing in the dim light, secluded and
trembling. With hands clasped and head
bent, upon the verge Of swooning, yet
Hei'; Up 10y her supreme courage, she list