The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1914-11-07
CHAPTER XVI.

Though men may make a jest Of it
In books, it is a solemn thing to kill
man, even to be near when one is
killed. If Gracia had slain Del Rey
herself IN a passion her hot blood
might have buoyed her up, but now
her whole nature was convulsed with
the horror of it and she wilted like a
flower.
An hour before she had burned with
hatred of him, she had wished him
dead and sought the man who would
kill him. Now that his life had been
shipped off between two heart-beats
she remembered him with pity and
muttered a prayer for his soul. For
Hooker, for De Lancey she had no
thought, but only for the dashing
young captain who had followed her
to his death.
OF this Bud had no knowledge. He
realized only that she was growing
weaker, and that he must call a halt,
and at last, when the walls OF their
pass had widened and they rode out
into the open plain, he turned aside
from the trail and drew rein by
clump of mesquit.
Here, let me take you," he said,
as she swayed uncertainty in the sad
die. She slid down into his arms and
he laid her gently in the shade.
Poor girl" he muttered, its been
too much for you. I'll get some water,
and pretty soon you can eat
He uns1ung the canteen from his
saddle-fap, gave her drink, and left
her to herself, glancing swiftly along
the horizon as he tied out their mounts
to Craze. But for her faintness he
would have pushed on farther, for he
had seen men OF to the east; but hun
ger and excitement had told upon her
even more than the day-and-night ride.
For a woman, and sitting a side-sad-
die, she had done better than he had
hoped; and yet-well, it was a long
way to the border and he doubted if
she could make it. She lay still in the
shade Of the mesquit, just as he had
placed her, and when he brought the
head.
Better eat something" he sug-
gested, spreading out some bread and
dried beef. Here's some oranges
got from Don Juan-FIl just put them
over here for you
Gracia shuddered, signing YEARLY
Then, as if his words had hurt her,
she covered her face and wept.
What did you tell that MANI" she
asked at last.
"Wy-what MANI" inquired Hook
er, astonished. Amt you going to
eat?''
mol" she cried, gazing out at him
through her tears. mot until know
what you said. Did you tell that In
dian TOTO kill him?''
She broke down suddenly in a fit OF
sobbing, and Hooker wiped his brow.
wy, mol" he protested. Sure not!
What made you think that?"
'Why-you rode over and spoke to
him-and he looked at me-and then
he-killed him!"
She gave way to paroxysm of grief
at this, and Bud looked around him.
wondering. That she was weak and
hungry he knew. but what was this
she was saving?
Il reckon don't understand what
you're driving at" he said at last
Wish you'd eat something-you'n feel
better"
mo, won't eat!" she declared. sit
ting up and frowning- Mr.. Hooker.
she went on very miserably, what die
you mean this morning when you
laughed! said I hated poor Manuel
and you said-weTl. what you did
and you laughed Did you think-oh
you couldn't haye-that / really want
ed him killed."
Z IVY, sure not!- cried Hooker
heartily. Il nowed you was foolingI
Didn't / laugh at you? Say, what kind
of Teller do you think am. anyway:
! Dye think I'd get an. Indian to do m1
killing - ?
@Oh. then didn't your" she cried
suddenly Frightening up. You know
: You talk so rough sometimes-and
never do know what you mean! Yoi
; said you guessed you'd have to xii
: him for me. you know. and-oh. It wa
! too awful. / must be getting foolish