The Newport plain talk. (Newport, Tenn.) 1909-1939, 1914-08-19


she remembered him with pity and
muttered a prayer for his soul. For
Hooker, for De Lancey she had no
thought, but only for the dashing
young captain who had followed her
to his death.
OF this Bud had no knowledge. He
realized only that she was growing
weaker, and that he must call halt,
and at last, when the walls of their
pass had widened and they rode out
into. the open plain, he turned aside
from the trail and drew rein by a
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, sits been
too much for you. I'll get some water,
and pretty soon you can eat
Re unslung the canteen from his
saddle flap, gave her 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 her
even more than the day-and-night ride.
For 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 her
head.
Better eat something" he sug'
gested, spreading out some bread and
dried beef Here's some oranges
got from Don Juan-Ill just put them
over here for you
Gracia shuddered, signing YEARLY
Then, as if his words had hurt her
she covered her face and wept. &
what did you tell that MANI" she
asked at last.
''W'y-what man." inquired Hook
er, astonished. "Ain't you going tc
eat?"
moi" she cried, gazing out at him
through her tears. mot until / know
what you said Did you tell that In
dian toto kill him."
She broke down suddenly in fit Of
sobbing, and Hooker wiped his brow
IVY, mol" he protested. Sure not!
What made you think that?"
'Why-you rode over and spoke to
him-and he looked at 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 this
she was saying?
II reckon / don't understand wha
you're driving at" he said at last
wish you'd eat something-you'l fee
better"
mo, I 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 really want
ed him killed."
IVY, sure not,' cried Hooke
ha,
Y Didn't laugh at you? Say, what kim
of a Teller do you think am, anyway
Dye think I'd get an Indian to do m.
killing
ooh, then didn't you?" she cried
suddenly frightening up. you know
you talk so rough sometimes-and
never do know what you mean! Yol
Baid you guessed you'd have to xii
him for me, you know and--oh, it wa
too awful! l must be getting foolish
I'm so tired out, but-what did yol
tell that indiana"
Bud glanced at her sharply for
moment and then decided to hume
her. Perhaps, if he could get he
quieted, she would stop talking ant
begin to eat.
"He asked me who was after u.s." h,
said. "and told him 1t was Del Rey
Eyes, and what did he say them"
''He didn't say nothing-jest line,
out for the pass"
And didn't you say you wanted
him-killed?"
mol" burst cut Bud, half angrily
. \yent told you once? l did not
Indian had reasons of his own
We inches got scar along hi
where Del Rey shot him with
boter. And, furthermore" h.
a, as her face cleared at this ey
ktion of the mystery, you'd bette
take me at my word for the res
zip! Looks to me like you'v,
ciating with these Mexican
N that do you mean?" she de
k6ded cprtly.
81 mean this" answered Hooker, BE
ing as we're on the subject again
q =. At