The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1914-10-01

moi" exclaimed De. Lancey, start.
ing back; "why-where'd you get 1T"
Never mind where got III" an
swered Hooker The question is:
What did you do with it?"
well, might as we'll come through
with IT," confessed Phil, the last OF his
assurance gone. Il gave II TO Gracial"
"And took It away from Aragon,"
continued Bud. while he was digging
some more chunks out OF our mine. So
that is your idea OF being true as steel,
is It? You've done noble by me and
Kruger, haven't you? Yes, you've been
a good pardner. | don't think"
well, don't throw me down. Bud!"
pleaded Phil. There's some mistake
somewhere. Her father must have
found II and taken II away I'd stake
my life on 1t that Gracia would never
betray mel"
We'll, think II over for a while"
suggested Bud, edging his words with
sarcasm. I'm going up to the hotel!"
mo; come backl" cried De Lancey,
clamoring at the bars. Come on
back, Bud! Here!" he said, thrust.
ing his hand out through the heavy
irons. an give you my word for II
Il won't see her again until we get
our title! Will that satisfy you? Then
give me your hand, pardner-I'm sorry
! did you wrong!"
ut amt me-" replied Hooker sober.
ly, as he took the trembling hand; its
Kruger. Buff you'll keep your word,
Phil. maybe we can win out yet. I'm
going up to find the comisario'
A brief interview with that smiling
individual and the case of Phil De
Lancey was laid bare. He had been
engaged in desperate rivalry with
Manuel del Rey for the hand of Ora
cia Aragon. and his present incarcera.
ton was not only for singing rag-time
beneath the Aragon windows, but for
trying to whip the captain OF the ru.
rales when the latter tried to place
him under arrest.
And De Lancey was the prisoner not
Of the comisario, but of the captain OF
the rurales. Sore at heart, Bud rode
up through the Mexican quarters to
the Quartet OF the rurales, but the cap
tain was memorable.
mo, senor," he said, waving an elo-
quent finger before his nose, Il cannot
release your friend. No, senor!"
But what is he charged WITH" per.
sisted Bud. "and when Is his trial?
You can't keep him shut up without a
trial"
At this the captain of the rurales
lifted his eyebrows and one closely
waxed mustachio and smiled mysteri.
ously.
"Y como nor" he inquired And
why not? Is he not a Mexican citi-
zen?"
We'll, perhaps he isl" Numbered
Bud. suddenly rising to his full height,
but l am not! l am an American,
senior captain, and there are other
Americans! II you hold my friend
without a trial will come and tear
your Jail down-and the comisario will
not stop me, either!"
"Ah!" observed the dandy little cap
tain, struggling his mustachio once
more and blinking, and while Hooker
ragged back and forth he looked him
over appraisingly.
"One moment" he said at last, rails |
Ing a quieting hand. these are peril !
GUS times. senior in which all the de- |
tenders OF Fortuna should stand to- |
gether. ! do not wish to have a diff |
ference with the Americans when Der. |
nardo Bravo and his men are march |
Ing to take our town. No, value the |
friendship OF the valiant Americans
very highly-so will let your friend |
go. But first he must promise me one
thing-not to trouble the Senior Ara.
gon by making further love to his
daughter"
Very WE'LL" replied Bud. He has
already promised that to me; so come
on and let him out"
ITO your" repeated Manuel del Rey
with faint smile. Then, perhaps"
Perhaps nothing!" broke in Hooker
shortly. Come on!"
He led the way impatiently while
the captain, his saber clanking, strobe
out and rode beside him. He was not
a big man, this smashing captain OF
the rural police, but he was master,
nevertheless, OF great district, from
Fortuna to the line, with a reputation
for quick work in the pursuance OF his
duty as well as in the primrose ways
of love.
In the instructions and raidings OF
the previous summer he had given the
coup de grace with his revolver TO
more than one embryo bandit, and in
his love affairs he had shown that he
could be equally summary.
The elegant Feliz Luna, who for a
time had fingered near the charming
Gracia. had finally found himself up
against a pair OF pistols with the op |
ton of either fighting Captain del Rey
Or returning TO his parents. The young
man concluded to beat a retreat. For
\ like offense Philip De Lancey had {
been unceremoniously thrown into |
Jail; and now the captain turned his
attention to Bud Hooker. whose mind
be had not yet fathomed.
Excuse me. senor," he said. after
brief silence, but your words left me