The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1913-04-24

A1oF0. VAO0 Nv W0 oS0Aks AAN&EIHEs
AT once, Senior Hale" answered
the youth, and sent for the horses,
which had been tied In q clump Of
brushwood three hundred yards dis
liant. When they had arrived Don
Ramon held Hale's stirrup, until he
was in the saddle: then he mounted
his own horse. and accompanied by
the Mexicans. they clattered away to-
ward the hacienda.
The old crone was waiting for them
with coffee. Don Ramon looked
round briskly.
Where is Senorlta Leonora?" he
demanded
"She is gone!" muttered the crone.
"She rode out toward Sonora early
this morning and has not returned"
Don Ramon ground his teeth.
when will she return?" he asked.
and the old woman burst into q storm
of excited jabbering, which Hale
could not follow.
L. When she had ended the Mexican
turned to him.
"senor," he began, quietly enough.
but gradually working himself into q
fury as he proceeded. you are doubt.
Jess glad that Senorita Leonora has
escaped. But you do me an injustice,
for my love for her is too deep to per.
init me to do her injustice. My wish
h only to shield her in these troublous
times that have come upon us. I am
particularly anxious to protect her
against you"
Don't trouble yourself" said Hale
CURLY.
ut will be no trouble" said Don Ra.
mon, snarling. He turned to one OF
his men. Stirring a rope over the
tulip tree" he said.
The man ran for a rope and pres.
emily came back with it. He flung 1t
over the tree and tied one end into a
moose. The old crone watched from
the veranda.
Hale looked at the rope and at the
Mexican. In that second he was cal.
culating his chances. He was I'M.
armed; he could, at the best, hope for
nothing but death by the bullets of the
rebels instead of by hanging. Should
he plead for his life, or for an easier
exit?
"Senor Hale" he said, Though you
view death coolly, life is, undoubted-
ly, as sweet to you as to any other
man. You have a chance to save
yourself. AS I have said, l do not
want to harm you'll only wish to pro-
tect my kinswoman. You shall go
free and unharmed-if you consent to
marry the Sonora here"
Damn you. go on with your hang.
ing" shouted Hale.
i The Mexican looked toward the
rope and spoke a word. Two men
stepped forward and, selling Hale, be.
gan leading him toward the tree. The
moose was placed round his neck. Two
others seized the loose end of the
rope. They looked to Don Ramon
for the signal.
The old woman rushed forward,
screaming frantically,. fell on her
knees before Don Ramon, and plead.
ed with him. Don Ramon did not
give the expected signal.
"Senor," he said to Hale, surely
you will not disappoint my excellent
kinswoman by refusing her suit!
Your chivalry alone should prohibit
you from so ungentlemanly an action.
Come, Senior, I give you thirty min.
utes to decide. Speak with her in
privacy. listen to her plea, consider
whether life be sweet, or whether
death be sweeter." He came nearer.
"she is eighty-four," he whispered
"She won't live long. Senior Hale, ]
shall hang you greatly against my
will, for the American governments
arm is long. Be wise!"
He issued a sharp order and turned
on his heel. The soldiers forced Hale
into the house and led him to the re-
ception room. The old crone was con.
Quoted thither and the men withdrew,
taking their posts at the door. Hale
and the old lady were left alone to-
gether.
They looked at each other. He saw
the wrinkled face, the bleared eyes,.
half visible beneath the heavy lace
mantilla which she had thrown over
her head. She was singularly like her
niece in build, perhaps a warning OF
what the Senorita would become in
her old age. The %caricature was hor
rible, and 1t made Hale shudder with
disgust. To buy his freedom in such
a way was impossible.
"Senor!" said a soft voice near him.
Hale started and turned around. II
was the voice Of the Senorita. He
heard a low laugh behind him again
and swung back toward the crone.
Before him stood the Senorita, the
mantilla raised and thrown back, the
bowed figure Strengthened, the flesh
clear and youthful and firm under the
painted wrinkles. the black hair just
discernible beneath the wig of white.
You'll" stammered Hale.
"si. Senior. Do you wish to change
your decision?" she murmured de
murely.
But why" he began.
"Ah, Senior, In these times an old
woman fares better than a young one
in Mexico. And yet / could not leave
because-because -
Because you loved me?" he ex,
claimed triumphantly, and clasped
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