The Arvada enterprise., 1914-12-31

took in the real catastrophe Of the
battle.
Seventeen thousand rounds Of the
precious thirty-thirties had been de-
hvered to the excited miners and now.
except for what few the Americans had
saved, there was not cartridge in
camp. Very soberly the superintendent
more; they pointed at the full belts Of
the American guard and demanded
them a. their right; and when the
Americans refused to yield they dew
into a rage and threatened.
All in all. 1t was pitiful exhibition
Of hot-headedness and imbecility. and
only the nrmness of the superintend-
emit prevented q real spilling Of blood.
The Mexicans retired in . hun and
broke into the cantina, and as the
night camo on the valley re-echoed to
their drunken shoutings.
Such was war a. the Sonorans con-
ceived 1t. When Hooker. standing his
guard In the corredor, encountered
Gracia Aragon on her evening walk.
he could scarcely conceal q grin.
What are you laughing At, Senior
Hooker?" she demanded with asperity.
rs 1t so pleasant. with . houseful of
frightened women and screaming chill
dren. that you should make fun of our
plightf"
No. indeed" apologized Bud; moth.
Ing like that. Sure must be bad in
there stay outside myself. But
reckon it'll soon be over with. The
Mexicans here in town have shot of
all their ammunition and reckon the
rebels have done the same. Like a.
not they'll all be gone tomorrow, and
then you can go back home"
"Oh. thank you for thinking about
mel" she returned with scornful curl
OF the lip. But II all men were as
open as you. Mr.. Hooker. we women
would never need to ask a question.
This morning you told me I did not
know what was talking about-now l
presume you are thinking what COW.
ards the Mexicans are!
"Oh. l know! You need not deny It!
You are nothing but a great bik-Te-
1ano! Yes. l was going to say brute
but you are friend Of dear Phil's, and
80 I will hold my tongue. II 1t wasn't
for that. I'd" She paused, leaving
him to guess.
"Oh. l do wish he were here" she
breathed. leaning YEARLY against the
white pillar of an arch and gazing
down through the long arcade.
1T was 30 close In there" she con-
| tfnNnA could pot nto~A 10
longer. These Indian women, you
know-they weep and moan all the
time. And the children-I am 80 sorry
for them. cannot 60 now. because
they need me: but tomorrow-if Phil
were here-I would leave and ride for
the line.
Have you seen Del Rey today! No?
Then all the better-he must be polio
ing the town. It 10 only of him l am
afraid. These rebels are nothing-I
agree with you! No! am not angry
with you at all now! But tomorrow,
just at dusk. when all Is still as It 10
at this time. then. II Phil were here
l would mount my brave horse and
ride out by the western pass"
She ended rather inconclusively, let.
ting her voice trail of wistfully as she
waited for him to speak. but something
within moved Hooker to hold his
peace. and he looked out over the town
without commenting on her plans. II
was evident to him that she was deter.
mined to enlist his sympathy. and In.
volve him in her wild plot and each
time the conversation veered In that
direction he took refuge In stubborn
silence.
What are you thinking of, Mr..
Hooker7" she asked at last. a. he
gazed into the dusk. Sometimes I
scold you and sometimes / try to
please you. but never know what you
think! l did not mean that when I
said ! could read your thoushts-you
are 80 different from poor. dear Phil"
MIMI" mumbled Bud. shifting his
feet. and his face turned little grim,
"Aha!" she cried with ill.concesled
satisfaction. you do not like me to
call him like that. do your Poor. dear
Phil. that! But do you know
why ! do III II II to punish you for
never coming near me-when ! signed
to you-when ! waited for you-long
ago! All. you wero 30 cruel! want.
ed TO know you-you were . cowboy,
and thought you were brave enough
to defend me-but you always rode
right by. Yes. that was it-but Phil
was different! He came when | sent
for him: no sang songs to mo at night:
he took my part against Manuel del
Rey: and now"
"Yes!" commented Bud bruskiy,
with his mind on dear Phil's" finish.
and she turned to peer into his face.
so that II ~" she said. you do
not trust me- You think that am not
your friend-that l will serve you ~
he WINS served. 10 that what you arc
thinking?"
Something like that" admitted
Hooker. leaning laxily. against the
mud wall. Only reckon I don't think