The Elbert County tribune., 1914-10-02

otherwise you would not have picked
such a good horse for me. This roam
is my fathers best riding horse. You
must put yours inside the wall with
him. and when the time is right we
will get them and ride for the line"
"What?" cried Hooker incredulous-
ly, with the country full Of rebels !?
| They're liable to take the town in half
an hourl"
mo, indeed they will not!" respond
ed Gracia with spirit. You do not
understand the spirit of US Sonorans!
Can't you see how the firing has slack
ened? The miners have driven your
rebels back already. and they will do
more-they will follow them up and
kill theml Then, when the rebels are
in fight and Del Rey and his rurales
are away, that will be good time for
us to slip off and make our dash for
the linei"
Nothing doing!" announced Hooker.
as he dismounted at the corral. You
don't know what you're talking about!
But / will leave my horse here" he
added; Il sure don't want him to get
hurt"
But you promised!" protested Gra-
cia weakly.
Promised nothing!" retorted Bud
ungraciously. II promised to take care
of, you, didn't /? Well. what's the use
of talking. then? You better stay right
here. where you're safe. Come on.
let's go to the house!"
| mol" cried Gracia, her dark eyes
turning misty with imminent tears.
"Oh, Mr.. Hooker!" she burst out,
didn't keep them all waiting while
put on this riding-skirt? ! thought you
had come to take me away. What do
| / care to be safe? / want to be free!
want to run away-and go across the
1 line to dear Phil" she faltered. Then
she looked up at him sharply and her
voice took on an accusing tone.
"Aha!" she said. as II making some
expected discovery, so that is it!
thought perhaps you were afraid!'
"What?" demanded Bud, put sud
| denly upon the defensive.
81 might have known it," soliloquized
Gracia with conviction. You are
| jealous of dear Phil"
who? Me?" cried Hooker, smiling
down at her grimly. We'll. let it GO
at that" he said, as she regarded him
with an arch smile. "I'd certainly be
fool to take all those chances for
nothing Let him steal his own girl
that's what / sayG
Now that, Mr.. Hooker" burst out
Gracia in a passion. "is very unkind-
and rude! Am woman of the town
to be stolen by one man or another
| Am l."
That's what you would be-" put in
Bud, with brutal directness, 'if these
rebels got hold of you. No. ma'am.
wouldn't take you out of this town for
hundred thousand dollars. You don't
know what you're talking about, that's
all! Wait till the fighting is over
gee! Did you hear that? Come. on
let's get into the housed"
He ducked suddenly as bullet went
spang against the corrugated iron roof
above them and. seizing her by the
hand, he half dragged her through q
side door and into the summer garden
Here a sudden outcry of women's
voices assailed their ears like a rush
of wind and they beheld peon mothers
running to and fro with their scream
| ing children clasped to their breasts OIL
dragging at their skirts. A few help
less men we're trying to keep them
quiet, but as the bullets began to thud
against the adobe walls the garden be
came a bedlam.
Gracie stood and surveyed the scene
for moment. ignoring the hulkins
Rud with disdainful evea Then she
snatched her hand Indignantly away
and ran to pick up a child. That was