Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1913-04-29
BLAKE'S
II Was An Unconditional
One
By CLARISSA MACNE

thicket Of chaparral, from which ne
emerged little more ragged and dusty
than before, and sat down by a tiny
stream trickling its languid way to-
ward the sand blown desert. His feet
were hot and sore from two days
rapid travelling through untracked
wastes, but so far he had come out
unharmed. True. his broad sombrero
carried two holes where an insurrecto
sentry's bullet had gone zipping
through. but Frank Blake had drawn
his own weapon In response. and he
was sure that the Mexican had taken
brief vacation from sentry duty.
OF course that only hastened his
flight toward the frontier, for 1t was
fight. Ordinarily he was not one to
turn his back on a skirmish. but he
was the paymaster Of the Laguna
Mines company. and as the revolution
ary spirit of his miners forbade them
to waste any more golden days delving
IN the darkness Of galleries and cross
cuts or upper and lower levels when
there was insurrection afoot II became
necessary for the paymaster to flee un-
CALAMITY with his papers and his bills
Of exchange-the currency he hastily
buried. AS he was the only American
left on the force there was nothing
for Frank Blake to do but to guard his
company's treasure to the best Of bis
ability.
He tossed Off the tin box which had
been strapped to his shoulders and un-
bnckled the stuffed belt which burden
ed him cruelty In the heat and stress
Of his long tramp. He kicked Off his
shoes and stockings and thrust his feet
into the cool trickle Of the stream and
closed his eyes.
Naturally dark complexioned. the
burning sun of Mexico had tanned bis
face to the complexion Of the natives.
His straight black hair clung to his
brown forehead and added to the rag
ged. nnkempt appearance. for ragged
he was and uucared for. His clothing
was torn to shreds by thOrns and cac-
tus spines. and the dust that covered
his handsome features lent grotesque
nppearauce to an otherwise attractive
personality.
All at once he opened his bright
black eyes with the sudden resolve
that thorough scrub IN the stream
would refresh him nightly. Hungry
he WAS ana thirsty. but he must go
unsatisted until he ran across ranch.
and in this locality they might be thick
as pulque plants. AS he bent to plunge
his cupped hands into the water there
came the sharp barking Of dog and
the sound of light quick footsteps be-
hind him. He turned to see Il girl.
slender, erect, with inquiring eyes Of
warm brown. q skin blended Of the
olive and the cactus flower, hair as
black as his own and red mouth
rounded into q surprised exclamation
at sight Of him.
"Ah!" she said quickly in Spanish.
"Buenas tardes. senorita," returned
Blake gravely, for there was hostility
in her eyes now as she scanned him
closely. Then he continued In Span
ish as he arose to his feet. "Is there
house near ut hand"
why do you askY' she inquired sus'
piciously.
Blake laughed shortly and included
his outcast appearance In one graphic
sweep of shapely brown hand. Il
am in need Of refreshment and repose
among friends. | have travelled far,
and am very weary" A trace of the
weariness was evident in his voice
For two days and night he had not
slept.
The girl seemed to hesitate. She
looked over BIake's head, her forehead
wrinkled In a pretty frown. Truly
she was the flower Of some nelghbor.
ing hacienda. he decided as he noted
the Spanish coloring Of her complex
ion, though she wore the trinity cut
garments Of an American girl-a short
snowy linen skirt and shirt waist,
with loose sleeves rolled back to
rounded elbows. Her uncovered head
showed her hair arranged In two
loose braids hanging fur below her
slender waist.
Come" she said suddenly. "Come
to my father"
He admired the girls quick tread. so
In oil NJ
her countrywomen, and attributed 1t to
the free, open life which she had en-
joyed as the daughter Of ranchero.
He was aware that she was under
going some perturbation on his ac-
count, for she frequently looked back
Mt him and always with that distrust.
full glance Of her brown eyes.
Presently he noticed that her hand
always rested lightly on her right hip.
and then he saw there was tiny
holster. from which protruded the
ivory handle Of a revolver. His own
hand sought his weapon then. for II
the daughter was suspicious the father
might be openly hostile.
They topped a rise Of ground and came
upon smooth. well made road wind
Ing toward q distant red rooted build
ing set in the midst Of chestnut
grove North. east and west stretched
magnificent cattle range. Herds ap-
peared like blots in the distance. The
herders were black moving specks on
the vastness of the grassy plain. AS
they went Forward horseman rode
from the gates and, turning to the
west. galloped madly along palm
shaded road. At the sight Of him the
girl uttered q sharp exclamation ana
ran ahead. but when she reached the
gates he was out Of sight.
She seemed disconnected at this hap
nening, and Blake was quick to guess
| that the man might have been her
father and that In his absence she was
doubtful what to do with the stranger.
lie resolved to help her out.
"Some tortlllas and frijoles for sup
per and bundle Of straw for bed,
senorita; these would make me most
grateful" he said eagerly, and the girl
nodded brusquely and led the way up
| the avenue of chestnuts and into the
courtyard of the hacienda.
With gesture she detained him
while she went to the door Of an adobe
wing Of the building and brought forth
a fat Mexican woman. who scowled at
| the stranger In a most unfriendly
i fn.h;n,, Tho nirl cnoka ra mildly IN the