Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1912-06-14
Loves Border
(copyrishI rOra b. Associated Literary Prss.0

By JEAN DICKERSON

est shadows and that her eyes were
dusky pools set in the marble pale
ness Of her face.
who is there?" he asked sharply.
A quick drawn breath and fright
ened sob instantly suppressed. an
swered him. Then the white gown
moved away from the rock as If to
escape him. Converse followed swift
ly and overlook her at the door OF the
hut. His hand closed on the warm
roundness OF her arm.
Il am sorry, but you must tell me
who you are and what you are doing
here" he said In q firm tone.
She surprised him BY replying In
his own language.
81 have a right herel" she breathed
in his ear. "a better right than you
havei"
II hope So" he said fervently; but
you know the American troops are
camped below here on the plain?"
"Ahl" she cried bitterly, do / not
know? Have l not been avoiding
their prowling bands for three days"
you are Mexican? asked Con-
verse.
"And II / am"
IF you are Mexican you are In q
dangerous situation here on the Dor
ders where there is continual fight
ing. You are not alone?" He spoke
In a brisk, matter-of-fact way, with
an undertone of kindness.
mo, am not alone" she answered
calmly. My grandfather Is within
he is sick. perhaps dying. When they
shelled the city our home was de-
stroyed and we fed. We hoped 70
cross the river into the states. We
have relatives in FL Paso, but we have
had to avoid the rebels as well as the
American troops. We lost our way
and have hidden in this ruined hut
since yesterday morning. My grand
father has had little to eat--I came
out now to seek something. There,
that is all" She threw out her hand
with defiant gesture. DO what you
Wilt"
The first thing to do IL to get some
thing to eat" said Converse decisive
ly. after that, II you viii trust to
my guidance l win escort You into the
American camp and see that you
reach Ell Paso at once"
You are very kind, SIR" said the
girl brokenly. Il am afraid ! am
severe-rude-but we have been
alarmed and harassed and earlier this
evening our retreat was almost dis
covered"
At was the one who startled you
then-that f. why I came back again.
said Converse in awkward explana'
ton.
How did you know-how did you
guess that we were not sharpshoot-
ers?" she asked. surprised. why did
you not investigated"
II don't knowi" he replied slowly.
1T is well for US that you waited
until you were alone" she said In low
thrilling tones that stirred him
strangely. Another might not have
been SO kind as you have shown your
self to be-"
at IL nothing" declared Converse
bruskly. May I zee your GRANDPA
ther?".
"Certainly-he Is within. very sick. "
She led the way to the tiny hut whose
roof was half torn away. Through
this great aperture the moonlight
flowed brightly. lighting up grass
bed on the ground wherein an old
man lay covered carefully with sew
eral blankets.
Converse bent over the old man
and addressed him in hating Spanish.
To his surprise the refugee answered
him In fluent English and in q few
words substantiated the words Of his
granddaughter and added brief ex-
PLANTATION.
His name was Juan Barros. q TO
tired merchant Of Juarez. He was q
widower with this one granddaughter
who had been educated in the United
States. They had lived happily to
gether until the revolution had
brought hostilities to their doors. The
loss Of their home followed and now
he was on his way to Ell Paso where
he had q brother; once there be
would make home for himself and
Almeda- II the kindly Americana
would help them-ths old mans voice
had failed here.
Blake Converse did help them
across the border and delivered them
into the hands Of an escort which
would see that they reached Fl Paso
It was not surprising that the
young soldier should obtain leave Of
absence and hurry to FL Paso to make
ceremonious inquiry concerning the
health OF Almeda's grandfather. and
such was Blake's solicitude for the
old Mexican and 30 warm were the
greetings that he received from both
the refugees that be was encouraged
to repeat these calls until old Juan
Barros smiled into his beard and wa
ready with his blessing upon them
long before Blake found courage tc