Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-04-01
The Daily Story
BLAKE'S SURRENDER-BY CLARISSA MACKIE
Copyrighted 1913, by Associated Literary


the stranger in most uufriendly
fashion. The girl spoke rapidly to the
woman in a strange dialect, OF which
now and then n word was familiar
The supper was hot in more ways
than one, but II was good. and Blake
ate rayenOusly and drank Of an excel
lent cup Of coffee. He waved away a
handful OF cigarettes the Mexican wO-
man contemptuously offered him and.
to her astOnished disgust, drew from
his breast pocket a pipe and calmly,
proceeded to Ill and light t.
My hitting the pipe instead OF the
national vice has Jared them some"
meditated Blake as he knocked the
ashes out Of the bowl and proceeded
to convey his bundle Of straw 70 the
hut which an. Otomi Indian had point
ed out as his sleeping place.
Blake had planned to sleep with one
eye open until the pale dawn should
signify that eight hours Of repose of
sort had been his Then he would
arise, throw a few dollars on the floor
and resume his tramp to the frontier.
he surmised that he was not far from
the little Rio del Cuchillo. and by
keeping close to its banks he would ul-
dmately come out near Aguel, which
was few hours walk from Fort Han
cock.
In spite OF his efforts to keep awake
the young American fell into q sleep
through which he was ever pursued
by the fair Castilian, whose dark beau
ty enthralled his senses. So vivid were
his dreams OF her that when he awoke
he was loath to carry out his plan OF
escape.
But prudence forbade this, for he
had not comprehended enough of tho
girls conversation the night before to
satisfy himself that she WAS not q
rebel sympathizer and to be avoided.
BE was passing through the arched
gateway that led into the drive when
the sound Of voice smote sharply on
his ear. Il seemed to come from the
wall Of the arched passage. 1t was
the voice of the senorita.
"Quien esq"
When Blake hesitated. before reply
ing she added meaningly, IF you do
not answer, tnsurrecto, shall shootr'
ia. l am an American" he was be-
ginning when her coutemPtuous laugh
ended his explanation.
/ "Ah, senior, perhaps you are also
the commander of the American forces
in disguise. ! will thank you to return
to the courtyard to await the return
of my father"
And suppose l do not surrender to
your wishes?"
The ominous click OF her little weap-
on was the only reply. Blake could
see her now in the weird light of the
coming day. Her lovely face was
framed in a small window cut in the
wall of the arched passage. There
/ were shadows beneath her sweet eyes,
as If she had not slept and the long
( black lashes dropped against her pink
tinted cheek.
Il surrender. senorita," he said
gravely, and, lifting his hat, he re-
turned to the adobe hut and once
more threw himself on the straw. 4
prey to a thousand new emotions.
Presently there came the CHATTER of
hoots as the ranchero returned from
his journey. Servants few hither and
thither. and Blake heard the distant
sound of q pleasant bass voice within
the house. At last footsteps accom-
panied the voice. and he was pleas
antly aware that the senorita was
coming, too. TO exhibit her captive.
Hey. there" called out the ranch
ero in English. Then he added i'm
patiently "VamOsw The girl laughed
deliciouslv at her fathers mistake.
Blake appeared Mt the door as rag
ged d specimen 'of native Mexican as
one would care TO meet. But now his
eyes were bright with anticipation,
, and a broad grin overspread his face
as be held out brown hand to the
, astouished big blond ranchero, whO
had American written large over
dress and feature.
Hello, Smith, was Blake's greet
ing.
Hello yourself" said the other,
: with a puzzled stare who the dick
, ems are you anyway? Why. it is
Blake OF the Laruna mines. You
know I'm Il stockholder there. Becky"
he explained 10 the girl while he was
T. pumping Blakes arm cordially. Here
come ont Of that hole, old man. and
come in among white folks. This IS
my daughter, Rebecca. Looks ike q
! senorita. eli? but as loyal an Ameri
can girl as ever left the states and
: came down here TO rough II with her
2 dad Make your apologies to Mr.
] Blake. Becky, while / hurry up some
Z breakfast and n room for-your prison
r er, shall call him"
Rebecca blushcd beautifully az
q Blake's hand closed on her own 81
/ owe you so many apologies. Mr.. Blake
/ that do not know where to begin"
{ NO hurry about IT," the young mar
i treasured her. Il believe I'll stay al
, long as your father viii let me BE
e sides. I'm your prisoner. surrender
n ed, you know"
s Rebecca did not offer to give hin
2 back his freedom then. and afterwarC
e it was too late.
d April ! IN American