Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1914-11-04

line, but the rurales had foreseen their
ruse in dropping into the gulch and
had turned at the same time to- inter
cept them. They we're pushing their
fresh horses to the utmost nov across
the open prairie, and as the roam
Jagged and faltered in his stride Bud
could see that the race was lost. o1
Head for that monument" 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.
mo, moi" she cried. Don't you
stop! If you do I will! Come on!"
she entreated, checking her horse to
wait for him. you ride behind me-
they won't dare shoot at Is then!"
Bud laughed shortly and wheeled In
behind her, returning his gun to its
sling. -. r3&&
,"All right" he said, "we'll, ride it out
together then!" - y
He laid the quirt to the a In the
whirl Of racing bushes a white monu-
ment flashed up suddenly before them.
The rurales were within pistol.shot
and whipping like mad to head them.
Another figure came flying along the
line, a horseman. waving his hands
and motioning. Then, riding side by
side, they broke across the boundary
with the baf1led rurales yelling savage
ly at their heels.
Keep a going!" prompted Hooker,
as Gracia leaned back to check her
horse: down into the gulch there
them rurales are liable to shoot yeti"
The final dash brought them to
cover, but as Bud leaped down and
took Gracia in his arms the roan
spread his feet, trembled, and dropped
heavily to the ground.
Hell be all right" soothed Bud, as
Gracia still chung to- his arm: Then,
as he saw her gaze fixed beyond him,
he turned and beheld Philip De Ian
cey. - +. f%%s,
It was the same Phil, the same man
Bud had called pardner, and yet
when Hooker say him there he stif-
fened and his face grew hard.
"Well?" he said. slowly d%etaching
Gracia's fingers and putting her hand
away.
AS Phil ran forward to greet them
he stepped sullenly of to n side.
What they said he did not know, for
his mind was suddenly a blank; but
when Phil rushed YER and wrung his
hand he came back to earth with q
start.
"Bud!" cried De Lancey ecstatical-
". "how cansI ever thank you enough!
You brought her back to me, didn't
YOU old man? Thank God you're safe
I've been watching for you with
glasses ever since I heard you had
started! I knew you would do II,
pardner; you're the best friend a man
ever had! But-say, come over here q
minute want to speak to YOU"
n He led Hooker OF to n side, while
Gracia watched them with Jealous
eyes, and lowered his voice as he
spoke.
1T was awful goodyof you, Bud he
whispered. but I'm afraid you've got
in bad! The whole town is crazy about
it. Old Aragon came up on the first
train. and now they wired thatfyou
killed Del Rey. By jove, Bud, wasn't
that pulling it a little strong? Captain
Of the rurales, you know-the whole
| Mexican government is behind him
and Aragon wants you for kidnapping
Whats that?" demanded Gracia, as
she heard her own name spoken.
Bud looked at Phil, who for once
was at a loss for words. and then he
answered slowly 'rt.~ "t- ~
your father is down at the station
he said. looking for-you." ~ !
We'll, he can't have mel" cried Ora
cha deiantly. I'm across the line
now! I'm free! I can do what I
pleased" -" ,5" VI EN
But there's the immigration Office"
interposed Phil Practically. "You will
have to go there-and your father has
claimed you were kidnapped" .
"Ha! Kidnapped" laughed Gracia,
who had suddenly recovered her
spirits. And by whom?" ts.
"Well-by Bud here" answered De
.Lancey hesitatingly.
Gracia turned as he spoke and sur.