The Huttig news., 1914-11-14

i
 marching across land racked by
 revolution and without a savior.
 T would have met him in the open said Hooker
 And yet--'
 q didn't want to- he ended bluntly Didn't want to fight him and didn't want to kill him. Had no call to. And then-well, there was you"
 "Ah!" she breathed, and a flush mounted her pale cheeks. She smiled as she reached out once more for the food and Hooker resolved to do his best at gallantry. it seemed to make her so happy.
 So you were thinking of me" she challenged sweetly, "all the while? l thought perhaps I was nuisance and in the way. thought perhaps you did not like me because-well, because I'm Mex. as you say"
 No, ma'am," denied Hooker gazine upon her admiringly. Nothing like that! When I say Mex l mean these low, pelado Mexicans-Don Juan tells me you're pure Spanish
 With perhaps a little Yaqui," she suggested shyly.
 Well, mebbe he did say that, too . confessed Bud. But it's jest as good ss Spanish-they say all the big men in Sonora have got some Yaqui blood Moral, that<was yice-presdent; the Tornes brothers, governors
 And Aragon!" she added playfully but at look in his eyes she stopped Bud could not look pleasant and think of Aragon.
 An, yes," she rattled on. "I know You like the Yaquis better than the Spanish-I saw you shaking hand. with that Indian. And what was il you called him-Amigo?"
 That's right" smiled Hooker; Thin and me have been friends for month. now out at the mine. I'd do anythin; for that feller"
 "Oh, now you make me jealous" sh, pouted. If I were only a Yaqui-an. big and black"
 Never mind" defended Bud "H, was true friend, all right, and true friends, believe me, are scarce
 There was a shade of bitterness ir his voice that did not escape her, anC she was careful not to allude to Phil His name. like the name of her father always drove this shy man to silence and she wanted to make him talk
 Then you ought to be friends with me-" she chided, after a silence q have always wanted to be your friend why will you never allow it? No but really! Haven't I always shown it? 1 remember now the first time that l saw you-I was looking through my hole among the passion-fowers and you saw me with your keen eyes Phil did not-but he was there. And you just looked at nte once-and looked away. Why did you never respond when I came there to look for you You would just ride by and look at me once, and even Phil never knew
 'No," agreed Bud, smiling quietly "He was crazy to see you, but he rods right by, looking at the windows and such"
 "The first time met him." unused Gracia, T asked about you. Did he ever tell you?'
 Bud hung his head and grinned sheepishly. It was not difficult to make out case against him.
 And so Gracia had not wanted Del Key killed as he thought she did She was not the vicious woman he had thought her for time She was just the gentle, noble girl he had sworn to protect and conduct across the border to her fiance Again came the desire to claim her, but there was not only Phil to be thought of but the fitness of himself to be the mate of this woman.
 ''Is it something I have done?" she asked at last. 'Is that why you never liked me? Now, Mir Hooker, please speak to me. And why do you always sit so far away-are you afraid of me ? But look "-she moved closer to him There we are alone, and am not afraid of you!"
 "Of course not" answered Bud, look. ing across at her boldly. tWhy should you be-you ain't afraid of noth- ing!"
 "Is that a compliment ?" she demand ed eagerly. "Oh, then I'm so happy it's the first you ever paid me! But have I heen brave" she heamad ssso far? Have I been brave, like a man?"
 Sure have!" remarked Hooker i'm. personally, but we aint there yet. Only thing I don't like about you is you don't eat enough Say. don't pick np them crumbs-let me pare off somc more of this jerked beef for you. Cant nobody be brave when they're hun Ery, you know. and l want to bring you In safe"