Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-06-27
CHAPTER III.
THE OBLIGATION OF SILENCE.


.A least prolific of results. 1t was sc
in the case Of pendleton. Moth.
Ing happened. The day passed with
, out once affording him the sight of a
, human being. He regretted his coffee,
but there was native wine in abun-
dance, with cold meats and luXuries
sufficient to have provided q company
{ of men with sustenance for several
, days. He passed the time in reading,
| in walking up and down the room and
. in various means of dtsposing of the
seemingly interminable period be-
tween the return from the dueling
ground and the darkness of the sue
cecding night Never had a day seem
ed so long. but 1t came to an end at
last, and never had the sun disappear
ed for Burr Pendleton SO pleasantly.
Still, there were more endless hours to
! wait for 1t was not until 10 o'clock In
the evening when he heard voice Mt
the grating and knew that the time for
liberation was at hand.
1t was Pancho who came, but he did
not speak. He only unlocked the graf
ing and stood respectfully aside while
/ the American passed out. He made no
remark when he dexterously threw a
serape over Pendletons head. Beyond
that there was no attempt at coercion.
The lasso was not used again, and 1t
was only through an expressive pres
sure upon his arm as it was grasped
/ by the Mexican that Pendleton knew
that he was to be treated with every
| courtesy and consideration. Upon the
friendship of this unknown Mexican
he knew from the experiences of the
/ past night he could rely. and he per-
| mitted himself to be led again along
! the graveled paths. among the shrub
! berry and finally found himself the oc-
cupant of a carriage which was driven
rapidly away as soon as he had enter
| ed it. The serape was removed from
/ Pendleton's head as soon as they were
! safely within the carriage and the cur
4 tains had been drawn.
| When at last it came to halt and
| the American was Informed that he
could alight. Pendleton said:
"Pancho, shall not forget your kind
| nesses to me. I am sorry that you will
not permit me to offer you some sub
stantial reward, but feel that / would
offend you IL l should insist upon it.
You already know much about me,
more than am aware Of. doubtless.
have written On this card an address in
the city of New York, where a commu-
nication will reach me or from where
one will he forwarded to me at any
time. If the time should ever come
when l can render you service, con-
slider it done. Say to the senorita that
forgive her for preventing me from en-
gazing in the duel with Captain Ro-
nero; say that l am informed that
friend acted for me in my absence.
Where are we? At the bronze statue?'
ISL, senor," replied Pancho.
Good night, then. will walk the re-
maInder of the distance. Adios, my
friend"
L "Adlos, senor."
Pendleton had walked nearly to the
upper end of the Alameda before he re-
membered that he had left his case of
pistols in the carriage, but with the
thought that Pancho might derive
pleasure from the possession Of the
weapons as souvenir of the occasion,
he shrugged his shoulders and hurried
onward. He was surprised to discover
James placidly engaged in packing.
even after Captain Agramonte call
ed and told me about the meeting, SIR
he explained in reply to his masters
look of surprised inquiry, II was trou-
bled until l received your message an
hour ago.
my message an hour ago? What was
1t, James,"
'"The man said that you had directed
him to tell me that you would leave on
the early train on the National road In |
the morning and to have everything
packed and in readiness. That was cor
rect, was it not?"
ooh, entirely So entirely sow And he
thought to himself, Surely this woman
NEEDLES strangely in my affairs"
1t was not until the following even
ing, however, that he did leave Mexico,
but he was not sorry when the train
bore him away and he was homeward
bound.
When Burr Pendleton was in the act
Of ascending the steps to the entrance
of his favorite club in New York, he
encountered Il gentleman who was just
taking his departure. They paused,
mutually and agreeably surprised, and,
after having exchanged greetings
which gave evidence that they We're
more than ordinary friends, PendletoI
drew the other back into the house,
where they sought quiet corner by
themselves.
Yes, | have returned, Craig. 1t is
really l." was Pendleton's smiling re-
ply to a question asked by his friend.
do you realize, old fellow" return
ed his friend, that you are more than
two weeks overdue and that not a
word has been heard from you in that
timeY"
Certainly. Circumstances over
which / had no control-unavoidab
delays, unintentional negligence and all
that, you know. The fact is Wynd-
ham, l had duel on my hands, and |
did not care to let you know about it.
You see, | made all arrangements in
case l should not be able to return at
all, which, | confess, seemed at one