The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1914-08-12
CHAPTER xVII-contlnued

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CHAPTER xVII-contlnued
what, senor!" she bantered; you
do not speak? Surely, then, your
friend De Lancey was wrong when
. he said you would save me! For look'
Mr.. Hooker, l am promised to marry
dear Phil; but how can manage that
when Manuel del Rey Is watching me?
It is impossible. is it not?"
Seems So" muttered Bud, and IN
the back Of his head he began to think
quickly. Here WAS the fountainhead
of his misfortunes, and If she had her
way she would lay all his plans IN
ruins-and even then not marry Phil.
In fact, from the light way she spoke.
he sensed that she did not intend to
marry him. Her grudge was against
Manuel del Rey who drove away all
her lovers.
WELL" he ventured, there's no
rush, I reckon-Phil's enlisted for five
years."
Hal" she cried contemptuously;
"and do you think he will serve? No!
At a word from me he will flee to the
border and l shall join him In the
United States!"
"What?" demanded Bud; "Phil de-
sert?"
In a moment he saw what such a
move would mean to hlm-to Kruger
and the Eagle Tail-and he woke sud.
denly from his calm. r
Here now" he said, scowling as he
saw that she was laughing at. him,
you've made me and Phil enough
trouble. You let that boy alone,
savvy?"
He stopped toward her as he spoke,
fixing her with masterful eyes that
had tanned many a bad horse and man.
and she shrank away instinctively.
Then she glanced at him shyly and
edged over toward the open door.
81 win do what l please, Mr.. Hook
err" she returned. balancing on the
verge of fight.
All right" Bud came back; "but
don't you call me in on it. You've
made a fool Of PHIL suppose you'd
like to get me, too. Then your father
would grab our mine" '. .
What do you mean?" she chal-
lenged, turning back upon him.
II mean this" responded. Hooker
warmly. Phil holds the title to u
mine. II he deserts he loses his Next
. can citizenship and his claim is no
good. But you don't need to think that
your father will get the mine then, be-
cause he'll have to whip me first!"
"O-ho!" she sneered; so that is
what you are thinking Of? You are a
true gringo, Mr.. Hooker-always
thinking about the money!"
YES" returned Bud; and even at
that I believe your old man will best
mel"
I She laughed again, with sudden
righteousness, and stood tapping the
floor with her foot.
"Ah, l see," she said at length, gaz-
ing at him rep~roachfully; you think
/ am working for my father. You
think / got poor Phil into all this
trouble in order to cheat him of his
mine. But let me tell you, Senior
Gringc," she cried with sudden fire,
that l did not! l have nothing to do
with my father and his schemes. But
If o DO not trust me-"
She turned dramatically to go. but
when Hooker made no effort to stay
her she returned once more to the at
tack.
NO." she said, 1T was because he
was an American-because he was
brave-that / put my faith in Phil.
These Mexican men are cowards-they
are afraid to stand up and fight! But
Philip dared to make love to me-he
dared to sing to me at highland
when Manuel del Rey tried to stop him
he stood up and made a fight!
"Ah, that Is what l admire-a man
who is brave! And let me tell you,
Senior Hooker, 1 shall always love your
friend! If could run away / would
marry him tomorrow: but this cur.
Manuel del Rey, stands in the way.
Even my OWL father is against me.
But / don't care-I don't care what
happens-only do not think that / am
not your friend!"
She paused now and glanced at him
shyly. and as her eloquent eyes met
his own Bud felt suddenly that she
was sincere. The gnawing and zorro
sive doubts that had eaten at his heart
fell away, and he saw her now in her
true beauty, with no uneasy thoughts
Of treachery to poison his honest love.
81 believe you, lady," he said. And
I'm glad to know you," he added. TAX
ing off his hat and bowling awkwardly.
Anything a do for you, don't hest.
tate to ask for it-only l can't go
against my partners on this mine"
He bowed again and retreated
toward the door, but she followed him
1mpulsively.
Shake hands," she said, holding out
both her own, land will you help me?"
"Sure!" answered Bud, and as her
soft fingers closed On his he took them