The Elbert County tribune., 1914-10-09


precious thirty-thirties had been de
llvered to the excited miners and now.
except for what few the Americans had
saved. there was not cartridge In
camp. Very soberly the superintendent
assured the leaders that he had no
more; they pointed at the<full belts OF
the American guard and demanded
them as their right: and when the
Americans refused to yield they flew
into rage and threatened.
All In all, 1t waa pitiful exhibition
of hotheadedness and imbecility. and
only the firmness of the superlntend-
ent prevented real spilling OF blood.
The Mexicans retired In hnff and
broke into the cantina. and as the
night came on the valley re-echoed to
their drunken shoutings.
Such was war as the Sonorans con-
ceiyed It. When Hooker. standing his
guard In the corredor, encountered
Gracia Aragon on her evening walk.
he could scarcely conceal a grin.
What are you laughing at. Senior
Hooker?y she demanded with asperIty.
rs 1t so pleasant. with a houseful Of
frightened women and. screaming chill
dren, that you should make fun OF our
plight?"
No. indeed apologized Bud; moth
ing like that. Sure must be bad in
there-I stay outside myself. But /
RECKON it'll soon be over with. The
Mexicans here in town have shot of
all their ammunition and reckon the
rebels have done the same. Like as
not they'll all be gone tomorrow, and
then you can go back home"
"Oh, thank you for thinking about
me" she returned with scornful curl
OF the lip. But II all men were as
open as you. Mr. Hooker, we women
would never need to ask n question.
This morning you told me l did not
know what was talking about-now
presume you are thinking what cow
ards the Mexicans arei
"Oh. l knowi You need not deny It!
You are nothing but great big-Te-
Jano! Yes, was going to say brute
but you are friend OF dear Phil's, and
80 will hold my tongue. II 1t wasn't
for that, I'd" She paused, leaving
him to guess.
"Oh, do wish he were here" she
breathed, leaning wearily against the
white pillar OF an arch and gazing
down through the long arcade.
ut was SO close In there" she con-
tinued. Il could not stand 1t minute
longer. These Indian women, you
know-they weep and moan all the
time. And the children-I am SO sorry
for them. cannot go now. because
they need me; but tomorrow-if Phil
were here-I would leave and ride for
the line.
Have you seen Del Rey today! No?
Then all the better-he must be polic-
ing the town. 1t is only OF him am
afraid. These rebels are nothing-I
agree with you! No! ] am not angry
with you at all now! But tomorrow.
just at dusk. when all is still as 1t is
at this time. then, II Phil were here
l would mount my brave horse and
ride out by the western pass"
She ended rather inconclusively, let.
ting her voice trail OF wistfully as she
waited for him to speak, but something
within moved Hooker to hold his
peace. and he looked out over the town
without commenting on her plans. 1t
was evident to him that she was deter
mined to enlist his sympathy and in
volve him in her wild plot. and each
time the conversation veered In that
direction he took refuge In stubborn
silence.
what are you thinking OF, Mr.
Hooker?" she asked at last as he
gazed into the dusk. Sometimes l
scold you and sometimes try to
please you, but never know what you
thinkl did not mean that when l
said could read your thoughts-you
are SO different from poor. dear Phil"
''M-m-m." mumbled Bud. shifting his
feet, and his face turned little grim.
"Ahai" she cried with ill-concealed
satisfaction. "you do not like me to
call him like that. do your Poor, dear
Phil. Like thatl But do you know
why do It? 1t is to punish you for
never coming near me--when signed
to you--when waited for you-long
ago! All. you were SO cruell want
cd to know you--you were cowboy,
and thought you were brave enough
to defend me-but you always rode
right by. Yes, that was it-but Phil
was differentI He came when sent
for him; he sang songs to me at night;
he took my part against Manuel del
Rey; and now"
'sYes!" commented Bud bruskly,
with his mind on dear Phil's" finish,
and she turned to peer into his face
so that is It'll" she said. you do
not trust me- You think that am not
your friend--that ! will serve you as
he was served Is that what you are
thinking?"
Something like that" admitted
Hooker leaning lazily against the
mud wall. Only reckon don't think
just the way you do"
llIIt Il L - naI-