The Washburn leader., 1913-11-07
By ARTHUR GRlcsBY


and did not take the pains not to do so
while she was looking. He spoke some
Spanish and began to chat with her.
but could get nothing except Eyes. Sc
nor" and "No, senor," for she was
difident little thing, especially in the
presence Of one in the social scale SO
far above her.
There were many points in the vicin-
ty where attractive views were to be
obtained. and Hoxie attended to his
work. not thinking about the girl when
doing So But in the evening between
supper and bedtime he needed COM
pany and after supper would invent
ways to keep her with him on the We
randa. The inn was kept by her aunt,
and the two women were the only per-
sons in the house besides the few way
farers who stopped there. The aunt
Hoxie addressed as sonora, the girl as
Pepita. which was her name. When
he was no: out sketching he was con"
tinually calling on the one or the other
for something-either glass of wine
or a bit of cheese or for Pepita to
bring her guitar and play for him.
"You are troubled about something,
Pepita," he said one evening to the,
girl while she waited soon him at sup
per. What is it?''
Nothing, senor," she said.
Eyes, there is something you fear.
Tell me-"
"Well, then. senor. there are bandits
in these mountains. You should not
60 out sketching."
"You must be mistaken. asked
about that before coming here and
was told that would be as safe here
az in Madrid"
This did not appear to relieve the
eirls fears There is something that
draws a man to a woman who fears
for him. and Hoxie drew the girl to
him and kissed her.
1T is very lovely for you." he said.
to be anxious for my safety. Don't
worry. think can take care of
myself"
There was q sound in some shrub
berry Just beyond the veranda. Pepita
started. gasped and trembled. Hoxie
looked up at her, surprised. and was
about to ask her what had frightened
her when she ran into the house.
The next evening was very warm.
and Hoxie lay smoking in hammock
in the yard. The moon was at the
full and in the rare atmosphere at
such a height cast bright light.
Hoxie dosed. Suddenly he reused him
self and looked upon shadow cast
by the moon on the ground directly be-
fore him. 1t was the shadow Of a man
with arm uplifted. The closed fist
seemed to grasp something. for there
was protrusion from 1t not clearly.
enough shadowed for Hoxie to discern
what It. was. .Hoxte. OWNED that It.
was q weapon Of some sort. most
probably knife.
Whatever was done must be instan.
taneous. Hoxie's reasoning certainly
was. He reasoned that some one was
about to kill him: that the murder
would be committed silently. The only
method Of escape seemed to be to call
to some one. This might frighten OF
the murderer.
'Senora!" he called without display.
ing any alarm in his voice.
What do you wish. senor?"
"A glass of wine"
At the first word the shadow with
drew so that he did not see It. His
enemy had sprung hack.
Never mind" Hoxie said. rising as
he spoke. 81 will drink It In the
bouse.''
Not daring to betray his knowledge
II his danger by looking back, he
walked into the house without turning
his head. He had not seen his enemy
only his shadow. Nor did be see
him later. His coolness had saved his
life. His enemy quite likely was in
such condition Of mind that q word
spoken by the man he would kill was
enough. m0mentarily at least. to deter
him. and before he had time to begin
again II was. too late.
Hoxie was never In a hurry about
anything He said nothing to the
landlady about the matter. preferring
to think It over before doing 20. He
remembered the sound In the bushes.
where the evening before he had kiss
ed Pepita. and her fright. Here was
an explanation.
''Pepitasr be said the next morning
when he was alone with her.
''Yes, senior ss;5 .s.S
You have . lover. one whom J
have never seen."
Yes, senor. = ,3
3 IL ne u good fellow r # I! y
Yes xen0r, 3 family. x
There was silence for few mo-
Inent1 hen. Hoxis :S.sIs nm 10
ing down g Toledo. (3Oodby. 5