Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1913-06-05

Don Ramon removed MS nat anu
made sweeping bow.
Senior" he said, welcome. VIII
you accompany me upon visit TO our
friend. Don Luis house?"
'T shall BE- delighted" answered
Hale. when do we start?"
AT once, Senior Hale" answered
the youth, and sent for the horses,
which had been tied In olump Of
brushwood three hundred yards dis
tant. 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 senorita Leonora?" he
demanded
she Is Comet 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 a storm
Of excited iabbering, which Hale
could not follow.
When she had ended the Mexican
turned to him.
Senior" he began, quietly enough,
but gradually working himself into a
fury as he proceeded you are doubt
less glad that Senorita Leonora has
escaped. But you do me an injustice
for my love for her is too deep to per-
nit me to do her injustice. My wish
is only 10 shield her in these troublous
times that have come upon us. | am
particularly anxious to protect her
against you"
Don't trouble yourself" said Hale
CURLY.
1T will be no trouble" said Don RAJ
mon, snarling. He turned to one Of
his men. String rope over the
tulip tree" he said
The man ran for rope and pres
emily came back with 1t. He flung it
over the tree and tied one end into a
moose. The old crone watched from
the yeranda.
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?
Senior 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 | have said, I 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.
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
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 ner
knees before Don Ramon. and plead
ed with him Don Ramon did no.
give the expected signal
Senior" 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, ! give you thirty min
utes to decide Spea& 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 Cleared 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 it 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 1t
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 blacS hair Just
discernible beneath the wig of white
'Youl'' stammered Hale
Isl, Senior DO YOU wish TO change