The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1914-10-17

gether and the rebels turned back to
their camp.
Except for one lone federal who had
shot himself by accident there was not
a single defender hurt, and if The
enemy had suffered losses it was only
by some such chance. But when the
Sonoran patriots, holding up their
empty belts, came clamoring for am
, munition, the men by the big house
took in the real catastrophe of the
battle.
Seventeen thousand rounds of the
precious thirty-thirties had been de-
Iivered to the excited miners and now,
except for what few the Americans had
saved, there was not a 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 few
into rage and threatened.
All in all, it was a pitiful exhibition
Of hot-headedness and imbecility, and
only the frmness of the superintend-
ent prevented a real splitting of blood.
The Mexicans retired in a huff and
broke into the cansina, and as the
night came on the valley re-echoed to
their drunken shoutings.
Such was war as the Sonorans con-
cefved it. When Hooker, standing his
guard in the corredor, encountered
Gracia Aragon on her evening walk,
he could scarcely conceal q grin.
What are you laughing at, Senior
Hooker?" she demanded with asperity.
rs it SO pleasant, with a houseful OF
frightened women and screaming chill
dren, that you should make fun of our
plight?"
mo, indeed" apologized Bud; moth
ing like that Sure must be bad In
there-I stay outside myself. But 1
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
mel" she returned with a scornfuI curl
Of the lip. But If all men were as
open as you, Mr.. Hooker, we women
would never need to ask a question
This morning you told me I did not
know what was talking about-now
presume you are thinking what cow
ards the Mexicans are!
ooh, knowI You need not deny It!
You are nothing but a great big-Te-
janO! Yes, 1 was going to say brute,
but you are friend Of dear PhiFs, and
SO I will hold my tongue. If it wasn't
for that, I'd" She paused, leaving
him to guess.
ooh, do wish he were here" she
breathed, leaning YEARLY against the
white pillar of an arch and gazing
down through the long arcade.
cit was so close in there" she con-
tinued, 81 could not stand it minute
longer. These Indian women, you
know-they weep and moan all the
time. And the children am so sorry
for them. I 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 polio
| ing the town. 1t is only of him am
| afraid. These rebels are nothing
| agree with youi No! l am not angry
with you at all now! But tomorrow,
| Just at dusk, when all is still as 1t is
at this time, then, if Phil we're here
1 would mount my brave horse and
ride out by the western pass"
She ended rather inconclusiveIy, 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. II
was evident to him that She was deter
mined to enlist his sympathy and in
voIve him in her wild plot, and each
time the conversation veered in that
direction ne took refuge In a stubborn
silence.
What are you thinking of, Mr.
Hooker?'' she asked at last, as he
gazed into the dusk. Sometimes
scold you and sometimes I try t.
please you, but I never know what yoJ
Think l did not mean that when
said l could read your thoughts-yoJ
are so different from poor, dear Phil!
'M-m-m," mumbled Bud, shifting his
feet. and his face turned a little grim
"Aha!" she cried with ill-concealeC
satisfaction, you do not like me t.
| CHI ul14 ING GnGLs w gO0s Q6dl
PhiI,-like thati But do you know
why I do It? It is to punish you fol
never coming near me-when I signed
to you-when I waited for you-loni
ago! All, you were SO cruel! I want
ed to know you-you we're a cowboy
and I thought you were brave enough
to defend me-but you always rode
right by. Yes, that was it-but Phi
was differenti He came when / sen
for him; he sang songs to me at night
he took my part against Manuel de
Rey; and now"
''YesI" commented Bud bruskIy
with his mind on dear Pills" finish
and she turned to peer into his face.
$50 that is it," she said You d.
not trust me. You think that am no
your friend-that will serve you Al
he was served Is that what you art
thinking?"
Something like that" admitted
Hooker, leaning IaziIy against tn,
mud wall. ''Only / reckon don't thinl
just the way you do"
why? How do I Think" she de
manded eagerly.
well, you think awful fast" an