The Rich Hill tribune. (Rich Hill, Mo.) 1903-1911, 1906-08-23

Men are seen funnin8 IN nh ulleNtiuhs'
Gre arms rattle. and that terrible
shouting continues. as though the
Americans would add terror to the
hight OF their defeated foes.
All the field Is won-the victory
theirsi
Gradually the sounds Of battle die
away; the men of the New Mexican
sheriff cease fighting because they can
no longer find enemies against whom
they may launch themselves.
Colonel Bob suddenly awakens to
a startling fact that gives him much
uneasiness. He cannot End his com.
rade. Dick.
He RACES around. seeking informa-
ton. and at last strikes a clew. Dick
was seen heading for the house Of the
chief engineer just when the last line
OF the Mexicans broke and fed, so 1t
looks as though he might be there.
Without waiting longer Bob Harlan
rushes away and a minute later en-
ters the house.
Once inside the doorway he pauses
to listen and hears sounds that indi.
cate a desperate engagement OF some
sort. That arouses Colonel Bob. who
cannot stand by when there Is any
lighting going on: he rushes headlong
for the scene OF the disturbance. for
a wonder holding his tongue. As n
general thing. under similar eircum-
stances. he would be shouting as he
ran. telling those who fought not TO
bring the little affair TO a finish until
he came. bat something momentarily
palsles HIS tongue now. Perhaps the
thought has struck him that the mis-
cradle Professor John. that bulldog OF
a naturalist may be in the house with
the intention OF running OF With Dora,
and the idea is so staggering that Il
has actually taken HIS breath away.
at any rate. It has not deprived Bob
OF his powers OF lo%comotion, for be
gets over the ground in a way that is
surprising. and in a few moments
bursts upon the scene.
Il is essentially and peculiarly
dramatic, for the characters engaged
form a complete company. That trag-
edy has also entered into il can be
seen at a glance. nor is the comic
side missing-Dora attends to that.
The comhatants are those old-tlme
bitter foes. Barcelona and the man
against whom be holds such a bitter
grudge, the nan for whom ne has
waited SO long. the man who has on
several occasions done him up hand.
somely-Dick Denver.
Stretched upon the floor Is Senior
Lopez, with the blood oozlng from a
wound in the breast. The pistol that
did the awful work Is not three feet
away from his hand-it belongs 70
Barcelona end the Mexican has BY
some terrible accident shot his en-.
ployer Just as the man the bullet was
Intended for leaped upon him.
Bending over the fallen Mexican are
two female forms. one being an old
woman. the other a young girl whose
face and figure betFay the beautiful
Juanita. Where they have come from
is a mystery; but. perhaps. knowing
something Of the mission of the senior,
they have entered the house looking
for him; some other motive may have
stirred Juanita to action, some deep
feeling Of the heart. for she is a girl
OF singular impulses.
Colonel Bob's gaze does not step
here; he looks for something beyond
Dora-where Is the only and delight.
ful Dora? A cry reaches bis a In a
voice he knows. and turning his head
Bob sees a sight that causes a broad
grin 10 spread over his face-a sight
that Is certainly humorous enough 10
cause a hearty laugh. although serious
for one poor individual.
Dora b there very much kere. she
holds IN her hand a revolver which
this same Colonel Bob gave her re,
Gently With which 10 dofend herself.
Dora has taken a few lessons with this
weapon. but she is woefuliy az sea re-.
garding its use. and although she
swings u around IN a truly dramatic
style she has neglected 70 draw back
the hammer.
Cronching before her Is the little
hug.hunter. Who lodges his head In
great alarm every time that weapon
comes IN line with her eyes. an the
nhiio keeptng on a iargon OF beseech-
ing EXCAVATIONS calling upon all the
sods 70 witness the ~ferycney or his de.
yotion. and anon begging the adora.
bic. the charming Dora. not 20 murder
him In cold blood. he whose only fault
Il Ia loving her ~ wisely but too
we'll
Quite q strange scene. taken an IN
nll-trasedy and comedy combined
Colonel Bob hardly knows whether 10
laugh or look serious. He sees that
his comrade Is 10 rather q bad predie
ament, and makes one step toward
helping him, when be hears Dick say
stand hack. Bob I want 10 manage
this chap alone II / can. stand back
old fellow
The fwo men struggle with the pow
er Of giants and Barcelona. seeing a
companion near BY. ready 20 give his
antagonist assistance n necessary.
realizes how desperate his case a.
nnranuw fhrfHn MI. ~ a- A.