Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1914-10-30
CHAPTER xvll-contlnued

OF Gracia. The rebels are de1eateo IN u
nerce battle near Fortuna
CHAPTER xvll-contInued
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?
1t Is impossible. Is 1t 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 II she had her
way she would lay all his plans In
ruins-and ever 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 v%entured, there's no
rush, I reckon-Phil's enlisted for five
years."
Hal" she cried contemptuously;
Sand 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 q moment he saw what such a
move would mean to- ham--to Kruger
and the Eagle Tail-and he woke sud-
denly from his calm.
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,
nixing her with masterful eyes that
Rad 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.
II will do what I please, Mr.. Hook
er," she returned. balancing on the
verge of flight.
All right" Bud came back; but
don't you call me in or 1t. You've
made a fool of PHIL suppose you'd
hike to get me, too. Then your father
would grab u NINE"
what do you mean?" she chal.
lenged, turning back upon him.
II mean this" responded Hooker
warmly. Phil holds the title to our
mine. If he deserts he loses his Next
can citizenship and his claim is nc
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 9
true gringo, Mr.. Hooker-always
thinking about the money!"
"Yes." returned Pud; land even al
that l believe your old man will best
mel"
She laughed again, with sudden
consciousness, and stood tapping the
floor with her foot.
"Ah, l see." she said at length, gaz
tnx at him reproachfully; you thinl
I am working for my father. You
think l got poor Phil into all thi'
trouble in order to cheat him Of hi
mine. But let me tell you, Senol
Grnso," she cried with sudden fire
"that did not! I have nothing to d.
with my father and his schemes. Blu
AZ you do not trust me"
she turned dramatically to 60, blu
when Hooker made no effort to sta!
her she returned once more to the at
tack.
NO." she said. 1T was because h
was an American-because he wa
tbrave-that I put my faith In Phi
These Mexican men are cowards-the,
are afraid to stand up and fight! Blu
Philip dared to make love to me-h
dared to sing to me at night-an'
when Manuel del Rey tried to stop hin
he stood up and made a fight!
"Ah, that Is what l admire-a ma
who Is brave! And let me tell yor
Senior Hooker, l shall always love you
friend! II l could run away woul
marry him tomorrow; but this cui
Manuel del Rey, stands in the way
Even my own father is against me
But | don't care-I don't care VIVA
happens-only do not think that al
not your friend!"
She paused now and glanced at hir
shyly, and al her eloquent eyes me
his own Bud felt suddenly that sh
was sincere. The gnawing and CORE
awe doubts that had eaten at his heal
fsu away, and he saw her now in nc