Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1902-07-26
CHAPTER TX


bandit, a smuggler, a cattle7lifter, pos
sibly a brigand, a delightfully."- romantic.
mysterious criminal from the neighboring
republic. The maid-servants gathered
about, excitedly peering and whispering
as the captive was lifted from the litter
and borne, still unconscious, from a room
prepared for him under Glynn's short di-
rections. The Mexican cow-hands look
ed on alphabetically. They were we'll used
to seeing men injured in one way or an.
other, and conspicuously among them was
the dark, quiet face of Juan CARA, the
decoy. This fellow had slipped into the
cactus the moment the alarm had been
sounded at the ford and made his way
directly to the rancho where he awaited
the return of the soldiers He argued
that he had done his work and it was no
part of his duty to remain TO fight and,
possibly, be killed-an unearned, but
sensible man was CARA. For the first
morning in many mornings the lady of
the rancho was aroused from torpor. She
glided about in a becoming wrapper, not
helping any one and much in the way,
but genuinely busy. Lois, aroused by
the hustle, had dressed hastily and, hav
ing been told the cause of the Stir in few
words by Allyn, at once volunteered her
services.
Il once thought to be a professional
nurse" she said simply, and l under
stand good deal about the treatment of
hurts. My place, of course, will be in
the sickro0m."
But" interjected the Hon. Clay
brough. 1.-THE chaps rutiian, don't you
know
1T doesn't make any difference" she
responded shortly. Hes wounded
ruffian, isn't he, and past doing HARM
She turned to assume direction of the
maids who were carrying hot water,
soap, towels, bandages, iniments and so
forth into the prisoners room. Mean
while conference was in progress be-
tween Robert Harding and the ranch
man.
You can't take him with you" the lat
ter was saying. The fellow would die if
subjected to a litter-haul from here to
Fort Clark in this sun. Leave him with
ne. I'll be responsible for him and when
he gets well We'll try him and put him
in the penitentiary. l should say that
he's English or American, and we can't
let him die like dog Probably he is
the lieutenant of the Vavara forces, of
whom we have heard rumors. They say
that the smuggler owes much of success
70 his skill and daring"
Undoubtedly" the Captain replied
nonchalantly. Hes the same man I'll
leave him here willingly, more by token
that l can't carry him and have no relish
for riding the twenty miles to the fort at
walk. I'll see if l can't get Thompson.
the post surgeon, to come this afternoon.
guess he's fit. Owing to brandy bath
taken, he said, to relieve rheumatism, he
put a bandage on the wrong leg the other
day, but that doesn't happen often. Good
fellow, Thompson, and no better surgeon
anywhere. Express my adieus TO your
wife and Miss English. Don't trust this
prisoner-chap when he gets able to move
about and, above all, don't take any pa
role from him. A parole would be only
so much air. Goodbye"
The kindly officer swung his short per-
son into the saddle, gave the command
and the troop moved northeastward at
trot.
Entering the sick room with Mrs
Glynn, Lois saw stretched upon a low
single bed long form, swathed to the
with sheet to the chin. 1t had been
already unclothed by some of the MeXi-
cans and the red-stained garments had
been removed. Consciousness was re-
turning as the result of liberal dose of
brandy forcer between the pale lips, from
which now and then faint moan came.
She saw a man. young and tall, with
huge shoulders, a great barred neck and
long muscular arms and deep chest-evi
IDENTITY a powerful and active man. He
was young, with a handsome, refined face
Of Greek outline 1t was pale now aud
the antique look of it was helped by 4
mass of short clustering golden curls
which hung over the brow. This face
was at once daring, strong. masculine
and poetic-a remarkable face. The firm
ly hung jaw ami level brows denoted will
power and the clenchng Of the strong
even white teeth. showing slightly be-
tween the parted lips, proved that all OF
his reserve force was battling to repress
any outward indication of pain. He look
ed stoical so lying, and once when his
eyes opened the girl saw that they were
large, steady, clear and of a gray so
dark that they were almost black. She
stopped at once with a pair of scissors in
her right hand and. without speaking
ripped his shirt apart for space OF
twelve inches, laying bare the round hole
made by the bullet. Inspection showed
her that it had gone through without
check, making a clear orifice. She at
once bathed the wound lightly and deftly
n water which had been steriiZed by
boiling and slightly carboized with acid.
bandages, sterilized in the same way,
were applied and fastened with profes-
sional rapidity. The left arm was placed
over the chest and so bound. Cool cloths
We're placed on the hot forehead, for fe-
yer had already set in, and light sleep
ing potion was administered.
1t isn't first aid to the wounded, .
s1e said, smiling brightly at Mrs. Glynn.
Unfortunately a good many hours have
elapsed since he was hurt. However, /
tA'nk we shall do very well. He seems
young and strong"