The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1902-12-05
By II, s. CANFIELD
CHAPTER XVI.

ANl.
How Harding Fulfilled his Pledge.
At dusk Jocosa had slipped from the
rear door of the Jacal and,
herself face down on the ground, a
~wriggled like a snake into the under
brush. So silent and swift were her
movements that Lois, watching her
through a crevice in the side or the
little building, could not have told
how or when she disappeared. Ihen
the lonely woman turned for consola-
ton to her knowledge OF the cnarac-
ters of the two men upon whom she
depended for aid. Again and again
through the long night hours n
started from her chair in the pelle1
that she heard the roll of hoofs only
to realize that it was the sound or 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 another much
dearer to her than herself.
She was standing in the door OF the
jacal with her ear bent in 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 than that the time OF trial
was near at hand and that every mo-
ment was as precious as though mint
ed from diamonds. Still there was no
sound save the slight murmuring OF
the breeze in the branches. Gradual
ly, 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 a 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 or the morning.
Each of them took his post and the
relieved men came in, pale and yawn-
Ing. Smoke began to rise from the
dirt chimneys and by broad daylight
every one apparently was awake. II
Lois had known the Mexican charac-
ter better she would have known that
she had more time. for whether GRIM
inal, or law abiding, it Is a people that
never does anything promptly. In
deed, the first red rays of the sun had
shot far up the heavens before break
fast was ready. Her own was not
brought to her, Vavara believing that
1t would be prepared by Jocosa. That
gallant and sa%nguinary chieftain made
his appearance 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 slckeningly that
in the crimson sash about his waist
was stuck a glittering revolver with
an ivory handle. He moved slowly
and seemed in no hurry to expedite
matters. He took his breakfast leis-
urely, squatting upon the grass under
a spreading pecan and keeping two Of
his attendants busy waiting upon him
n trotting for fresh food. Then four
Of tn, smugglers came bearing a tray
upon which eatables 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 Dos
sible SO, waiting until Vavara had fin
ished, brushed the crumbs from his
tight velvet trousers and rolled a
cigarito, she beckoned a passing wom-
an and In broken dialect begged her
to tell her overload that the Sonora
Glynn" wished to speak to him. He
came at once. all p%oliteness and atten-
ton. She stood in the doorway to
prevent him entering and said:
1T is time, I think, Senior vavara
that deception should cease. / am
willing to say to you now that | am
the Sonora Glynn and l wish to ask
whether you have as yet commune
Gated with my husband and fixed nv
ransom"
Every white tooth in his dark face
flashed as he bowed and said:
II was sure that the Sonora would
see the propriety of admitting her
identity. ! have not as yet communi-
Gated with the Senior because of other
matters which have claimed my time
The matter shall be attended to TO-DAY
AS for the ransom, $10,0 900 would he
a small price to pay for so great a
beauty and SO fond a spouse. Surely
1t is so. MOI"
She waved the compliment aside and
asked:
What IL to be done with the Senior
Weston"
The answer was savage and instant:
The traitor is to be shot directly"
by whose haAd?"
by mine"
"But surely you will listen to me. I.
the Sonora Glynn, tell you that the
Senior Weston was shot by one OF the
Engiishmen at the secret ford, was
brought TO the rancho almost in a dy-
ing condition, was nurseu 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 wa q rancho hand and was sent
to you to enlist SO that you might
ho hofrovod Gorza II ~ no1coros -