The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1907-08-17

an Intangible mint or storm 10 come
| Valentin Rivas, thOughtfully glancins
over some memoranda, was suddenll
! startled by gentle scratching az the
door He held his breath, and strain
ed his ears, stealthily laying his hand
on the butt of a heavy six-shootel
that lay in the drawer at his side. A
tense minute OF silence passed, then
a whisper, cold, sibilant, penetrating
-"SenOr!"
Without a moments hesitation ne
snuffed out the candle on the table
leaving the room in darkness but for
a sickly ray of moonlight slipping
through the small window
Moving like cat toward the door,
the pistol gripped in his hand, he fel,
for the heavy bar. The money was
in the house, and hiJ blood chilled a
little.
"Quien es-who is it?' His whisper
was as low as that of the other.
The answer made him jump. 1T
is l, Juan Verdugo-be silent, and
open quickly
In spite Of himself, the lawyers
heart contracted for an instant. AS
founded, he made no answer
"SenOr, open, open at once or | go,
and your life is lost-open, for | como
to pay my debt" The cutting whisp,
er trembled through the crack in the
panel.
Valentin Rivas softly slid the heavy
bar back, and opened the door, know
ing we'll the hazard, and feeling dim
ly wonder at his own rashness The
muzzle of his pistol nearly brushed
the dark figure that slipped in like
a snake through the cautiously opened
door, closed again swiftly and barred
with care.
The lawyer faced Verdugo-he feS
his presence rather than saw him
and waited for him to speak. The
strangeness Of the situation dominat-
ed for the moment its sinister posi-
bilities
Senior" whispered Verdugo. alb
ruptly, 1t is known that you are 20
start for Santa Ana this night. You
are 20 take with you $4,000 to send
to Judge Cantu. You are surprised.
is it not? But if you so, you will be
killed, for they are many that would
kill you. They are, coyo,es-chicken
thieves-but they are many, and bad.
Myself-bah. ! work alone.' And
in the dim gloom the lawyer saw his
figure stiffen with the tigerish pride
Of the predatory beast.
Put the money must 90" Valen
tin R:vas spoke thoush,fUliy. Denial
was obviously futile, and hardly &C.
Cured to him. NO, Verdugo. | must
take lit IS promised, and must 60
He knew how imperative was the need
for the money.
''Senor." the sharp hiss Of Verdugo'e
whisper was in the lawyers ear. ",hey
watch for you outside-they wait 81
the trail, and |, even l. Juan Verdugo,
have sneaked through weeds and
shadows to come here. They watch
you, but know not that | am here.
Venture from this house tonight. and
you die" He paused, then-'Senor,
shall speak what is in my mind?"
Speak then they mind"
"Senor Licenciado Rivas, once it
was you stood between Death and l,
and held him from me. This night l
come to pay that debt. Thou hast
been marked down for death, but I,
Juan Verdugo, the ladron. the thief,
will take that packet of money to the
office of express, and return to thee
the paper they give to show truly
that the money has been sent. This
will l do. in good faith, for in truth
the debt lies heavy on my heart"
The lawyer, astounded at the SUBJ
lime absurdity of the offer, saw for
an instant nothing but it's fantastic
humor. You will take the money to
Santa Ana-you will bring the re-
ceipt?" The lawyers voice carried
a distinct shade of incredibly.
'Senor," Verdugo spoke earnestly,
ION my word Of honor-pah. | sup
pose that you think l have nono: yot
thieves have honor of it's kind Bien!
60 then, senior. only that may be
purged of my debt. The money will |
be far safer in my hands than with |
thy trustiest messenger, until it is in |
he Office of express-though, to be |
rank, l would most gladly rob the |
v~in
senior, an l tn messenger or no?
Speak quickly. for the life Of hunt
ID ladron hangs On too slender a
bread in this place tc be to the liking
If even Juan Verdugo."
Valentin Rivas thought swiftly. !
Risky it was, without doubt, to place
his fortune in the hands Of a motor