Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-01-15

Derrick reached the Iitfa
and raped softly at the cio,ea s.aa1s
There followed silence. ara 2
light footsteps across the floor 1ss
breathed softly from beyond n. : wa we
rs it you, father. deary, wv
Jim Derrick swallowed a tn,
throat and spoke hoarseiy. .Ts XII g y
wakeman's little girl the u.,,s - \;
rita p sens
Yes-oh. what Is the matter~ :.
girls voice shook with terror ~
There has been trouble AZ a..
Your father has been hurt T.-
Derrick of the Wet Creek ranch -. g
the border. j have come tn tai.
TO my place before the scopna,.,. y
here to pillage and burn. II isc., .
for you to remain a momeptr, ~
And my father?' she askas
II will send my men after him
said gently. y
You say there is danger. aetna, A..
ger. in my remaining hereY
1T means DEATH be said grin,,
Very well. Mr. Derrick. Ara ~.
bring Rosa. my maidr'
yes. Have you a horse Of a..
kind?v AZ
Not an animal Some one stols -
cry one last night"
Jim went back to bis men and ~.
them that the little senorta ala =.
know of her fathers death. and !.
told them OF the promise be had MAD
TO have her father brought TO a.
ranch.
Four of the men volunteered N 81
and recover the body of the mspsrs,
and in a few moments they rode silent.
~ away toward the mine.
Presently the light disappeared f,or
the window, the door opened and tro
dark forms slipped out. One Of them
the taller. carried a large bundl.
which was strapped on the back 4,
Smiths saddle. Lanigan then took tbs
tall form of Rosa on the saddle befors
him, while Jim Derrick lifted the snail
form of the little senorita to his oTp
saddle.
Rather crowded, but it's better sh,p
walking" said Jim grimly. as fhey
went back through the Chestnut grove.
The little senorita made no answer.
It was evident that she was very
weary, for presently her head sank
back until it rested against Jim's
broad shoulder. The soft tendrils Of !!
her hair brushed his cheek, and be,
very nearness thrilled him.
Coming out Of the grove, they avoid.
ed the mine and went to the river By /
another route. They were within
mile of the Rio Grande when then
came the beat of hoofs on the ground
and the sound Of distant shouts.
''Greasersw muttered Lanigan ORE
his shoulder, and they pushed The
horses to renewed speed.
Soon they were flying down TIE
rough road that ended in the bridge h
md behind them pounded the hoofs 0,
heir pursuers.
Smith was riding on ahead witt \
aosa's big bundle. and it was Lanisan
.iding close behind with the lean 4
Rosa, who discovered that the bundle
vas leaking white feathers. making
lear trail for the bandits to follow. II
Lanigan shouted the news to BIZ
and, with an oath. Snih
ossed the bundle into the thicket and
.osa screeched loudly and fought liz
cat now that her treachery had bez
iscovered. Lanigan promptly dropra
er into a thicket of ferns and rpt
ehind Derrick to cover his retire.
With the little senorita.
When Smith also dropped been
Derrick was riding ahead. with D
tile senorita close in his arms.
Thud. thud. thud. they went on .
ie riekety bridge, then out upon ns
-eedom OF the Texas plains. The~ r
orita was crying softly. and Derrin
lit that it was for her father. a
Scattering shots followed thsn
cross the bridge, and there came DE
brill cries of the Mexicans as at hs
ley gave up the pursuit ana vea
ack to their rendezvous.
1t was after midnight when TIE
lree riders reached Wet Greek RAM
nd Jim Derrick gave the limp nHk
indie into his mothers care. Inea
: and his companions rode oaeS
eet those who were bringing
,dy of Bob Wakeman. To Their q
;ht it was found that the miner VIZ
lly slightly injured. and bis ANN
the Wet Creek ranch was an oesF
on for rejoicing.
Jim Derrick did not see the hlF
norita until morning. IL
At the breakfast table he stoppea
onderment at the sight OF ioseg
RI petite in figure with masses OF
Id hair and deep violet eyes
,iled shyly at Jim Derrick ana v
Il her hand.
Il am very grateful to you. III.
TX" she said earnestly. my iap
s explained to me just what
L."
My men and myself" correcfeo -
! thought you were ~
IL" he blurted out.
rhe little senorita laughed.
ce upon time. but the name
ing to me-"
"A beautiful name" said jim so~
ID the girl blushed warmly.
i'm Derrick's wife's name Is In
t he always calls her little
.,