The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1914-10-29
tcopvrisht. isi1. BY Fr.nt A. Munseyl

ers and not the news OF the dynamit,
that drove all the soldiers from town
However. Aqua Negra is once NOR,
in the hands OF the government; tn,
track ia clear and most of the bridges
repaired; so why quarrel with the
Yaquis7 While they are, of course
nothing but Indians. they serve theil
purpose in battle"
We'll, I guess yesl" responded Bud
warmly. Serve their purpose. Ell
Where were these Mexican soldiers
and them Spanish officers when the
Yaquis were taking the town? And
that was Just like a dog-goned Mexi
can-eetting that time-fuse and then
not having It go OF. More'n likely the
poor zap that fred 1t was so scairt he
couldn't hold match-probably
never lit II. jest dropped the match
and run. They're a bum bunch, II
you want to know what think. I'd
rather have Yaqui than a hundred
of 'eml"
"A hundred OF whom" inquired a
cool voice behind him. and looking up
Hooker saw the beautiful Gracia gaz-
ing out at him through the screen
door.
"A hundred Mexicansi" he repeated,
and Gracia murmured Obi" and vas
gone.
Miss Aragon is very loyal to her
country" observed Don Juan. but
Hooker only grunted.
Somehow, since those four Mexicans
had come to his camp. he had soured
on everything south OF the line; and
even the charming Gracia could not
make him take back his words II she
had Intended the remark as a chal-
lenge-a subtle invitation to follow
her and defend his faith-she failed
for once OF her purpose, for IL there
was any particular man in Mexico that
Bud hated more than another II was
her false-hearted father.
Hooker had, in fact, thought more
seriously of making her a half-orphan
than Of winning her goodwill, and he
fingered about the hotel. not to make
love to the daughter. but to strike ter
ror TO Aragon.
The company being good. and a
train being expected soon, Bud stayed
over another day. In the morning,
when he came down for breakfast, he
found that Aragon had fed before him.
With his wife, daughter and retinue,
he had moved suddenly back to his
home. Hooker grinned when Don Juan
told him the news.
We'll. why not?' he asked, chuck.
ling maliciously. Here it's the mid
die OF the rainy season and the war
going on all summer and nary a rebel
In sight. Where's that big fight you
was telling about-the battle of For
lunar You've made a regular fortune
out OF these refugees. Brachamonte.
but l fail to see the enemy"
"Ah. you may laugh" shrugged the
hotelkeeper, but wait! The time will
come. The rebels are lost now-some
day. when you least expect 1t, they
VIII come upon us and then. believe
me. my guests will be glad they are
here. What is a few weeks bill COM
pared to being held for ransom? Look |
at that rich Senior Luna. who was here |
for a time In the spring. Against my /
advice he hurried home and now he |
ID paying the price. Ten thousand /
pesos 1t cost to save his wife and
family. and for himself and son his
friends advanced ten thousand more.
make no evil prophecies. but II
would be better for our friend II he
stayed on at my poor hotel"
Whose friend?" inquired Bud
blufiiy. but Don Juan struck him upon
he back with elephantine playfulness
md hurried on to his duties.
As for Hooker. he tarried in town
Until he got his mail and copy Of
he Sunday paper and then. well sat
SIZED that the times were quiet and
vars q thing OF the past. he ambled
,ack to the Eagle Tail and settled
Town for q rest.
Flat on his back by the doorway
10 lay on his bed and smoked. reading
lis way through the lurid supplement
md watching the trail with one eye.
Since the fight with Aragon's Mexi-
ans all his approximations had left
lin. He had written briefly to Phil
md Kruger. and now he was holding
he fort
II had been Q close shave, but he
lad escaped the cowardly Assassins
md had Aragon in his power. Not by
my force OF law. but by the force OF
ear and the gnawing weakness OF Ara
IONS own evil conscience.
Aragon was afraid of what he had
lone. but It was the suspense which
him 90 pitiable- On q day
he had sent four armed MeIicsns
% kill this Texan-not one had re-
turned and the Texan regarded him
This 1t was that broke
he Spaniard's viii for he knew not
THAT TO think But az for Bud. he lay
,n his back by the doorway and
augheo at the funny page
Al he sprawled there at his reading.
Amigo came In from the hills. and he.
loo. was content to relax. Gravely
the colored sheet his dark
iAos lighted up.
II was all very peaceful and pleas
MT, but Il vas not destined to last