Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1909-02-27

city TO give q home to two orphaned
brothers, Richard and Henry Lane.
Dick and Buddy shortened I'm time to
BUD. as they were called. being taken
young, quickly adapted themselves to
their new environment and by the
time they arrived at manhood had
proved themselves the equals OF any
cowboy on the range In horsemanship
and kindred accomplishments. Dick.
the elder brother, was steady. reli-
able fellow. modest as he was brave
and remarkably quick witted and re-
sourceful in emergencies. He gave his
confidence over readily TO his fellows.
but II ever he found himself deceived
withdrew It absolutely. Ii was prob
=bly this last characteristic that at
tracted to him Echo Aliens especial
regard, for It was also her distinguish
ing trait "You have got to act square
with Echo" her father was wont TO
say. ''for If you don't you'n never
make It square with her afterward."
Bud was a generous hearted. impetu-
Gus boy. who responded warmly to af-
lection. He repaid his elder brothers
protecting care with a loyalty that
was strict discipllnarian. frequently
punished him In his boyhood for way
ward acts. and the little fellow made
no resistance-only sobbed IN deep pen
ltence once. however, when Uncle
Jim. as the boys and Polly called him.
felt compelled 10 apply the rod 10
Dick-uDjustly. as X afterward appear
ed-Eud burst into n tempest OF pas
sionate tears and. leaping upon the
eolonels back. chung there. ella wing and
striking Ike wildcat. until Allen was
forced to let Dick go. II is shrewdIy
Indicative OF the colonel's character
that not only did be refrain from pun
ishing Bud on that occasion. but when
foggiDgs were subsequently due the
little fellow laid on the rod less heav-
fly out OF regard for the loyalty to his
brother he had then displayed
This attack also won the admiration
OF Polly Hope. who was something OF
a spltnre herself A little jealous OF
Dick for the chief place he held I'm
Buds affection, she openly claimed
the younger brother as her sweetheart
and attempted 10 constitute him her
knight. though with repeated discour-
agements. for Bud was bashful lad
and. though he had 4 true affection for
the girl. boylike concealed IL by show
OF rude indifference.
The tender relations OF these boys
and girls persisted naturally into
young manhood and womanhoOd. No
word OF love passed between Dick and
Echo until that time when the nest
ing impulse" the desire 10 have a
home OF his own. prompted the young
man 20 go out into the world and win
his fortune. For year he had acted
as foreman Of the Allen ranch. work
Ing I'm neighborly cooperation with
Jack Payson Of Sweetwater ranch, a
man or about his own age. The two
young men became the closest OF COM
rades. When the fever OF adventure
seized upon Lane and he became dis
satisfied with the plodding career of a
wage carer. Payson insisted on mort
gaging Sweetwater ranch for $1,000
and in lending Dick the money for a
years prospecting In the mountains OF
Sonora. Mexico, in search Of a fahu-
lousy rich ''lost mine OF the Aztecs."
Traditions os lost mines are plentiful
in Arizona and northern Mexico. First
taken up by the Spanish Invaders. of
800 years ago from the native Indians
they have passed down to each subse-
QGent influx Of white men. The direc-
lions are always vague. The inquirer
cannot pin his informant down 60 any
definite data. Over the mountains al
ways lies the road. Hundreds OF lives
have been sacrificed and cruelty I'M
paralleled practiced upon innocent
men. women and children by gold
seekers In their lust for conquest
Prosperous Indian villages have been
laid waste, and whole bands OF ad-
veDturers have gone into the desert IN
search II these mines, never TO return.
When the time for Lanes departure
came Echo wept at the thought Of los
Ing for so long a time the close com
penion OF her childhood and the SYM
pathetic conhdant OF her youthful
thoughts and aspirations. Dick, in
whom friendship for Echo had long
before ripened into conscious love, took
her tears as evidence that she was
similarly affected toward him, and he
allowed all the suppressed passion OF
his nature full vent in 2 declaration or
love. The girl was deeply moved by
this revelation Of the heart OF strong
man made tender as a woman's by a
power centering in her own humble
self, and, being utterly without expert
snce OF the emotion even in Its protec-
tive form OF calf love. which is the
vRrioloid Of the genuine affection, she
imagined through sheer sympathy that
she shared his passion SO she assent
ed with maidenly reserve to his plea
that she promise to marry him when
he should return and provide home
for her. Her more cautious mother Sc
cured a modification of this pledge by
limiting the time that Echo should
wait for him to one year. II at the ex-
piratsoE OF that period Lane did not
return 20 claim her promise or did not
write making satisfactory arrange
ments for continuance OF the engage
ment Echo was to be considered free
60 marry whom she chose.
Soon after Lanes departure Mrs.
Allen persuaded the colonel TO send