The Huttig news., 1914-11-21
CHAPTER Xy'Il,,.

The high pass and the insurrectos were behind them now and the rolling plains of Agua Negra were at their feet. To the northeast the smoke ban ners of the Gadsden smelters lay like ribbons across the sky and the line vas not far away.
 Yet, as they came down from the mountains, Bud and Gracia fell silent and slackened their slashing pace. The time for parting was near, and part inga are always sad.
 But ten miles across the plain lay Gadsden and Phil-phil to whom Gra- cia was promised There had been no thoughts of him from the time they sat together under the horse blankets waiting for the rain to pass until now that the dangers were virtually over, and but a short time more would place them beyond the reach of either ru- rales or rebels. Bud thought of the duty he owed his pardHer. even though that pardEer had played him false. Great as vas his longing for Gracia it' bCO-0 ilAL Ap- t1Vt Nilat NuiI If !. companiopahip had been but th1ng to ferget fl he could, or at best he could only remember the sweetness sf it. and must f0reet the drea sas he had dreamed as he watched beside Gracia in the hills Ee was t. kiag her to Phil. and all else must be sacrificed for duty.
 Bud lcel.ed far out across the valley 70 where a train pu~ed in from the eouth, and tke sight of ft nai de him uu- easy. He watched still as it laF at the
 atien and. after a prolonged stare in the direction of Agpa Negra, he refined sharply to the north
 sWbat is it@" asked Gracia, coming out of her reyerie.
 "Oh, nothing" answered Bud slump ing down in his saddle. .'I see the rail road is open again-they might be somebody up there looking for us"
 You mean"
 Well. sav bunch of rurales.''
 He turned still farther to the north as he spoke and spurred his faded horse on. Gracia kept her rean be side him, but he took no notice, ex | cept as he scanned the line with his bloodshot eyes. He was a handbook ing man now, with a rough stubble oi beard on his face and a suilen set to his jaw. As two horsemen rode out from distant Agua Negra he turned and glanced at Gracia.
 Seems like we been on the run ever since we left Fortuna" he said with a rueful smile. Are you good for just one more?"
 What is it now?" she inquired pulling herself together with an effort Are those two men coming out to meet us? Do you think they'd stop us?"
 That's about OUT luck" returned locker But when We dip out of sight Il this swale here we'll turn north and hit for the line"
 All right, she agreed My horse $ tired, but I'll do whatever you say, Bud
 She tried to catch his eyes at this but he seemed lost in contemplation of he horsemen.
 Them s Turales." he said at last. and heading straight for us-but we've come too far to get caught HOW. Come on!" he added bruskly, and went galloping up the swale.
 For two miles they rode up the wash, their heads below the level of the plain, but as Bud emerged at the mouth of the gulch and looked warily over the cut bank he suddenly reached for his rife and measured the distance to the line
 They was too foxy for me- he nut tered, as Gracia looked over at the approaching rurales "Rut can stand 'em off, ,'' he added, 50 you go ahead"
 "No!" she cried, coming out in open rebellion. Well, I won't leave you that's all!" she declared, as he turned to command her. "Oh, come along, Bud!" She laid an impulsive hand on his arm and he thrust his gun back into the sling with thud.
 All right" he said Cant stop to talk about it. Go ahead-and fay the hide off of that roan!"
 lhNS were lGSS lHGH a Ullle rom the line, but the rurales had foreseen their ruse in dropping into the gulch and had turned at the same time to ineer- cept them They were pushing their fresh horses to the utmost now across the open prairie, and as the roan Jagged and faltered in his stride Bud could see that the race was lost.
 Head for that monumentl" he called to Gracia, pointing toward one of the international markers as he faced their pursuers. You'll make 1t they won't shoot a Woman,"
 He reached for his gun as he spoke.
 No, no," she cried. Don't you stop, If you do I will Come on," she entreated. checking her horse 10 wait for him, You ride behind me they won't dare shoot at US them"
 Rud laughed shortly and wheeled in behind her. returning his gun to it's sling.
 All right" he said well ride it out together them"