Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1902-09-06
CHAPTER Nv.

ture at q mile Oft. l could not recognize
YOU. but / knew that Vavara was up to
some deviltry and l followed. What is
the meaning of it?''
She told him of the chieftain's error
and he said: The man is holder and
more resourceful than | thought. How
ever. l will set the matter right"
He had extended a hand to Jocosa, who
was kissing it passionately, when Vavara
appeared ia the doorway and behind him
every man and most of the women in the
camp. They pressed into the room and
surrounded the three. Navara grasped
Westons arm effusively and said:
My brave, brave lieutenant. 1t is as
one come back from the tomb. He'll us
yourself of it, my PRIDE
The others stood about, their black eyes
shining, broad smiles on their faces.
"All in good time" said Weston.
Whom do you think you have here?'
DO you not know? The Sonora Glynn
of the rancho BALCONIES. held by me, Va
yara, Cor ransom"
You were never more mistaken. my
captain. This is Miss Lois English, a
teacher of the Glynn children, my Aft
anced wife"
Vavara's dark, handsome face set evil
IL and his eyes turned inward. He stood
silent for Il moment, then said: 1T can
not be. There is no such woman. Would
not my spies have told me of her? How
do you know?
Weston, speaking slowly and distinctly,
and using the Mexican vernacular that
all of his hearers might understand, told
the story of the shot at the hidden ford,
his saving by the Seminoles, his illness
at the rancho, his nursing. his recovery,
his escape and his intention to start for
the interior when he had witnessed the
capture. Vavara listened closely, his
small right foot beating the ground, his
fingers clenching and unclenching. Now
and then he interjected a "Ha." or rs
it sou He would not believe that all
hope of ransom must be given up. He
loved money better than anything in the
world. He was naturally suspicious. He
had been jealous of Weston's strength
and prowess and feared his influence
with the band. He had been angered,
too, by the Americans belief that the
band was organized purely for smuggling
purposes. Now, drawing in d deep
breath he began to speak. restraining
his excitement with difficulty:
''Senor Weston, the story is well told.
but it will not serve with Vavara, for it is
a lie. This woman is the Sonora Glynn,
| know. How could it be otherwise
Surely this is true. | have never under
stood-my men have never understood
the manner in which we We're surprised
at the ford, surprise which cost us the
life of the brave CARA. We supposed
you slain because you were not with us.
Not one of us saw you after the river
was reached and then you were in the
rear, whereas you should have been in
front You say you have been for days
at the rancho BALCONIES. That can be-
heve, but that you were shot by our
American friends l do not believe. You
may tell ME that you have a wound, but
Self-inflicted wounds are common among
traitors. l accuse you here and now of
giving secret information to the gringo
soldiers, of betraying us, of causing the
death of a comrade, of seeking to rescue
the sonora without ransom. You have
been false to the cause of the band. Men.
what is to do neXtT'
From twenty threats came the answer:
The trial"
And after the trial, whatT'
Upon conviction, death"
FL, Vavara, your cheftain, am the ac-
cuser. Arrest him"
The men closed in upon Weston, who
stood passive, knowing that resistance
WAS vain. Lois had not understood a
1.-THE Of the talk, but when she saw him
grasped rudely and his arms bound be
hind him, she compromised. She turned
swiftly to Vavara with passionate pro-
test, but he motioned TO the men. who
Immediately drew Weston outside
Wheeling in the doorway. the chefJain
faced her sternly, his small figure drawn
TO its full height, savage smile ON his
face:
All honor shall be paid you, sonora,
he said, "for you are precious to us ALL
hut you will do we'll to remain quiet.
Even the prospect of ransom may not be
sufficient to restrain some of my brave
ones, who are much ansered by the trail
tor
Indeed a glance at the figures crOwding
about her lover as they urged him on
ward and moments listening TO their
stormy voices convinced her that She
would serve him and herself by Stiffness
She turned instinctively to Jocosa The
Mexican girl was standing in the rear
room, her face a sickly white, her eyes
blazing. Two drops Of blood from her
bitten lip had fallen upon the bosom Of
her gown. Her form was tense, her lin
gers tightly locked She was breathing
heavily and half-crouched, as if young
tigress for a spring.
''Flvara is deyil"' she said in a hiss
ing whisper They will try my dear
friend, your lover, senoritn. and they will
shoot him. That is the smugslers law
for traitors. He is not traitor-oh! no,
40, never But Eavara can make them
do as he wishes. They will listen only
to him and they will say the things he
wishes them 10 say. l know him and
them. He is evil! But it must not be"
All Of the fine courage of Lois rose TO
meet this emergency. She did not per-
nit herself FOR moment to reflect upon
The murderous outcome OF it. Weston