The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1914-10-02
CHAPTER XVI.

Though men may make jest OF II
man, even to be near when one Ii
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 8
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 beer
shipped off between two heart-beats
she remembered him with pity and
muttered a prayer for his soul. Fol
Hooker. for De Lancey she had nc
thought, but only for the dashine
young captain who had followed hel
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 theil
pass had widened and they rode out
into the open plain, he turned aside
from the trail and drew rein by g
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 unslung the canteen from his
saddle-Hap, gave her a 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 off to the east; but hun
ger and excitement had told upon hel
even more than the day-and-night ride
For q woman, and sitting side-sad
die, she had done better than he had
hoped; and yet-well, it was long
way to the border and he doubted II
she could make it. She lay still in the
shade of the mesquit, just as he had
placed her, and when he brought the
sack of food she did not raise hel
head.
Better eat something" he sug
gested, spreading out some bread ant
dried beef. Here's some oranges
got from Don Juan-I'l just put them
over here for you"
Gracia shuddered, signing wearily
Then, as If his words had hurt her
she covered her face and wept.
What did you tell that man?" she
asked at last.
"W'y-what man." inquired Hook
er, astonished. Amt you going tt
eat?"'
MOI" she cried, gazing out at hin
through her tears. mot until l know
what you said. Did you tell that In
| dian TOTO kill him."
She broke down suddenly in fit o
sobbiDg, and Hooker wiped his brow
wy, MOI" he protested. Sure not
What made you think that?"
'Why-you rode over and spoke tc
him-and he looked ut me-and then
he-killed him."
She gave way to paroXysm of grie
at this, and Bud looked around him
wondering. That she was weak ant
hungry he knew, but what was thi:
she was saying?
Il reckon 1 don't understand wha
you're driving at" he said at last
Wish you'd eat something-you'll fee
| better"
NO, l won't eat!" she declared, sit
ting up and frowning. "Mr. Hooker,
| she went on very miserably, what dit
you mean this morning when you
laughed, l said hated poor Manue
and you said-well, what you did
and you laughed! Did you think-oh
you couldn't have-that l really want
ed him killed.
wy, sure mott" cried Hooke
heartily. Il knowed you was fooling
Didn't laugh at you? Say, what kint
of feller do you think am, anyway
Dye think I'd get an Indian to do m!
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! Yol
said you guessed you'd have to Kill
him for me, you know, and-oh, it wa
too awful. must be getting foolish