The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1902-11-21
By II. S. CANFIELD

e
Aathsr Of "A MAID OF THE WEST" "FER0Y
Copyrighted, 1901, by D
CHAPTER XVI.-(Continued)
I would like to take you back to
the other side of the river and put you
In Jail where you belong. Unfortunate
~ am prevented by law. have no
right on this ground. That is neither
here nor there. The location of this
camp will be reported to the Mexican
authorities tomorrow. If you have
any sense, which l douL~, you will
make yourselves scarce. Your wea-
pons will be confscated by me. AS
for you, Vavara, if I lay my hands
on you outside of Mexico you will not
be tried or shot; you will be hanged
to the nearest tree. Now, you can get
us some breakfast and after that you
can mizzle"
At 10 o'clock each trooper, except
those detailed to guard duty, was lol-
ling with full stomach on the bank of
the stream. Harding sat crosslegged
on the grass, the center of an admir-
ing and profoundly grateful group.
Lois had thanked him as only she
could thank and had given him such
a kiss that he remembered it for years.
He vowed that he could ride thou
sand miles for another one. He had
accepted Weston's statement of his
connection with the band like the
frank soldier he was. Allyn was
sprawled near the betrothed, smoking
placidly. He said to Weston only:
by Jove! If thought I'd have any
such luck I'd turn smuggler tomorrow,
old chap" Jocosa, petted and made
much of and with her faith in evil
spirits diminished, sat holding the hem
OF the American girls gown, never to
leave her more. Harding said:
"You will understand, Mr.. Weston,
that, for a time at least, you can not
return to the United States. What do
you purpose doing?"
Il shall go souhward into Mexico l
have some money, my belt having been
brought to me by one of your men
Just now. It was under Vavara's pill
low. The road is broad and open
This band is scattered and no longer
to be feared"
"That is so And you?" he turned to
Lois. She blushed, but laid her hand
bravely on the hand of her lover:
II shall 60 with him-Jocosa and I.
I snail leave good part of my heart
with you and Allyn, Captain, but
shall co.
ut is for you to decide. trust you
viii be happy. I believe that you will
'be happy. With good, horses-and
there are plenty of them about-you
should reach Piedras Negrass, oppo-
site Eagle Pass by nightfall. Mean
while, when I return to the rancho
I will see that your gowns, so dear
to the soul Of every woman, are sent
to you there. You have the story G
our ride. We have heard of your cap
tivity. Is there anything else? Elk.
.perience teaches me that partings
should be short"
Lois hesitated. Tnen she said: ''Mr.
Maude is not with you, see"
Allyn laughed. HE is not" he re-
piled, nor is he at the rancho. Fact
is, Lois, when you disappeared and
we were all crazy about you, Maude
was kind enough to say that you went
willingly, and other pleasant things.
"Quex-Deveraux, good little chap, did
not wait to put on the gloves. When
the r1mpus was over Glynn suggested
to Maude that things would be pleas
anter without him. So we bought him
out and he started east. It all hap
pened in an hour, I assure you"
Three strong horses were brought
up. Two of them bore side saddles.
Lois, Weston and Jocosa rose, the
others with them. Not a word was
spoken. Lois clasped the brown hand
of Harding in both her own and tears
were on her cheek. She looked long
into the kindly eyes of Allyn. II will
WRITE" she whispered. The two girls
were swung into their saddles. Wes-
ton shook hands with the men.
81 won't forget you,'' he said deeply
moved. "You won't regret this, no.
shall she. You will hear from me
sometime"
A moment later they had disappear
ed, Jocosa leading The close-packed
trees closed behind them as a wall.
ruA DTEp YUIr