The Elbert County tribune., 1914-09-18
CHAPTER xviI-continued

CHAPTER xviI-continued
what. senor!" she bantered: you
do not speak7 Surely. then. your
friend Do Lancey was wrong when
he said you would save me! For look,
Mr.. Hooker, l am promised to marry
dear Phil; but how can manage that
when Manuel del Rey is watching me?
1t is impossible. is 1t not7"
Seems so,v muttered Bud. and in
the back of his head he began to think
quickly. Here was the fountainhead
Of his misfortunes, and II she had her
way she would lay all his plans in
ruinB-and even then not marry Phil.
In fact. from the light way she spoke.
he sensed that she did not intend to
marry him. Her grudge was against
Manuel del Rey who drove away all
her lovers.
WELL" he ventured, there's no
rush. reckon-Phil's enlisted for FIVE
years"
"Ha!" she cried contemptuously
"and do you think he will serve? No!
At a word from me he will fee to the
border and shall join him in the
United States!"
"what?" demanded Bud; Phil de-
sert7"
In a moment he saw what such a
move would mean to him--to Kruger
and the Eagle Tail--and he woke sud
denly from his calm.
Here now he said. ecowling as he
saw that she was laughing at him.
you've made me and Phil enough
trouble. You let that boy alone.
savvy?"
He stopped toward her as he spoke,
fixing her with masterful eyes that
had tanned many a bad horse and man,
and she shrank away instinctively..
Then she glanced at him shyly and
edged over toward the open door,
II will do what please. Mr.. Hook
err" she returned, balancing ON the
verge of night.
"All right" Bud came back: but
don't you call me in on it. You've
made fool of PHIL suppose you'd
like to get me, too. Then your father
would grab our mine."
what do you mean?" she chal-
lenged, turning back upon him.
Il mean this" responded Hooker
warmly Phil holds the title to our
mine. II he deserts he loses his Mexi-
can citizenship and his claim is no
good. But you don't need to think that
your father viii get the mine then, be-
cause he'll have to whip me first!"
'O-hol" she sneered; $50 that Is
what you are thinking of? You are a
true gringo. Mr.. Hooker-alwsys
thinking about the money!"
"Yes," returned Bud; land even at
that believe your old man will best
mel"
She laughed again, with sudden
capriciousness. and stood tapping the
floor with her foot.
''Ah, l see," she said at length, gaz-
ing at him reproachfully; you think
/ am working for my father. You
think got poor Phil into all this
trouble In order to cheat him OF his
mine. But let me tell you. Senior
Gringo," she cried with sudden fire,
that did not! have nothing to do
win my father and his schemes. But
IL you do not trust me-"
She turned dramatically to go, but
when Hooker made no effort to stay
her she returned once more to the at
tack.
NO. she said. -''it was because he
was an American--because he was
brave-that put my faith In Phil
These Mexican men are cowards-they
are afraid to stand up and fight! But
Philip dared to make love to me-he
dared to aing to me at night-and
when Manuel del Rey tried to stop him
he stood UP and made fight!
All. that is what admire-a man
who is brave! And let me tell you
Senior Hooker. / shall always love your
friend! II could run away would
marry him tomorrow; but this cur
Manuel del Rey. stands in the way
Even my own father is against me
But don't care-I don't care what
happens only do not think that | am
not your friend!"
She paused now and glanced at him
shyly and as her eloquent eyes met
his own Bud felt suddenly tina. she
was sincere. The gnawing and zorro.
sive doubts that had eaten at his heart
fell away and re saw her now in her