The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1914-11-12
tcoovrisht. lsiI by Frank A. Munsey J

you understand thatl Yes? No? Thei
why do you look away? Have yoi
something that you hold against me
All, you shake your head-but yo'
VIII not speak TO met When was a
school in Los Angeles saw the COW
boys In the west show, and they wer,
different-they we're not afraid Of AM
danger but they would talk, too.
have always wanted to know you, bu
you will not let mel thought yol
we're brave-like those cowboys"
She paused TO make him speak, bu
Hooker was tonguetied. There was
something about the way she talked
tat pulled him over. that made hin
want to do what she said, and YET
some secret, hidden voice was always
wing: "Beware!" He was convinced
now that she had never been a party
- treachery; no. nor even wished
him i'll.
She was very beautiful. too, in the
twilight, and when she drew nearer
he moved away, for he was afraid she
would sway him from HIS purpose. But
now she was waiting for some an.
swer-some word from him. though
the question had never been asked.
And yet he knew what 1t was.
She wanted him to steal away with
her in the evening and ride for the
border-and Phil That was what she
always wanted. no matter what she
said, and now she was calling him o
coward.
Sure them bronco-riders are brave"
he said in vague defense; but there's
q difference between being brave and
foolish. And a man might be brave for
himself and yet be afraid for other
people"
How do you mean" she asked.
WELL" he said. 81 might be willing
to go out and fight thousand of them
insurrectos with one hand. and at the
same time be afraid to take you along.
Or | might"
ooh. then you will go, won't your"
she cried, clasping him by the hand.
you will. won't you? I'm not afraid"
NO." answered Bud, drawing his
hand away. that's Just what won't
do! And I'll tell you why. That coun-
try up there is full OF rebels-the low
est kind there are. IL Just takes one
shot to lay me out or cripple one of
our horses. Then I'd have to make a
fight for it-but what would happen
to your"
I'D fight, tool" spoke up Gracia
resolutely. I'm not afraid"
no." grumbled Bud. you don't
know them rebels. You've been shut
up in house all the time-if you'd
been through what have in the last
six months you'd understand what
mean"
'If Phil were here, he'd take mel"
countered Gracia. and then Bud lost
his head.
YES" he burst out, that's Jest
what's the matter with the crazy fool!
That's jest why he's up across the line
now a hollering for me to save his
girl! He's brave, is he? Well. why
don't he come down, then, and save
you himself? Because he's afraid to!
He's afraid OF getting shot or going up
against Manuel del Rey. BY grab, IL
makes me tired the way you people
talk! II he'd done what told him to
in the first place he wouldn't have got
into this jack pot!"
"Oh my" exclaimed Gracia aghast.
why. what is the matter with you?
And what did you tell him to do?"
Il told him to mind his own bust
ness" answered Hooker bluntly.
"And what did he say?"
"He said he'd try anything-once!"
Bud spat out the phrase vindictively.
for his blood was up and his heart was
full of bitterness.
"Oh dear!" faltered Gracia. And
SO you do not think that Phil Is
brave?"
"He's brave TO start things" sneered
Bud, "but mot TO carry 'em through"
For moment Gracia huddled up
against a pillar, her hand against her
face, as II to ward off blow. Then
she lowered it slowly and moved re-
luctantly away.
81 must go now" she said, and Bud
did not offer TO etay her, for he saw
what his unkindness had done.
Il am sorry!" she added pitifully.
but he did not answer. There was
nothing that he could say now.
In a moment of resentment, driven
to evaporation by her taunts, he had
forgotten his pledge to his Partner
and come between him and his girl.
That which he thought wild horses
could not draw from him had flashed
out in fit of anger-and the damage
was beyond amendment, for what he
had said was the truth.
NNItE