The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1914-12-03

What did you tell that mani she
asked at last.
"w'y-what mani" inquired Hook
er. astonished. Amt you going "a
eat7"
mol" she cried, gazing out at him
through her tears. mot until know
what you said. Did you tell that In
dian TOTO kill himf"
She broke down suddenly in q NJ OF
sobbing. and Hooker wiped his brow.
IVY. moi" he protested. Sure noti
What made you think thatf"
"why-you rode over and spoke to
him-and he looked ut me-and then
he-killed himi"
She gave way to a paroxysm OF grief
at this. and Bud looked around him.
wondering. That she was weak and
hungry he knew. but what was this
she was saying!
81 reckon I don't understand what
you're driving at" he said at last.
Wish you'd eat somethins-youn feel
better"
mo. I won't eat" she declared, sit
ting up and frowning. "Mr. Hooker"
she went on very miserably. what did
you mean this morning when you
laughed! I said I hated poor Manuel
and you said-well. what you did
and you laughed! Did you think-oh.
you couldn't have-that really want
ed him killed."
wy. sure mott" cried Hooker
heartily. Il knowed you was fooling!
Didn't laugh at you, Say. what kind
of Teller do you think ! am. anyway
Dye think Id get an Indian to DO my
killlnR?"
"Oh, then didn't your" she cried.
suddenly Frightening up. You know.
you talk SO rough sometimes-and I
never do know what you mean! You
said you guessed you'd have to kill
him for me. you know. and-oh. II was
too awful! ! must be getting foolish.
I'm so tired out. but-what did you
tell that Indian
Bud glanced at her sharply for a
moment and then decided to humor
her. Perhaps. II he could get her
Quieted. she would stop talking and
begin to eat.
HE asked me who was after u.s. he
said. and | told him 1t was Del Rey.-
"Yes. and what did he say them
"He didn't say nothing-jest lined
out for the pass"
And didn't you say you wanted
him-killed!"
MOI" burst out Bud. half angrily.
Haven't told you once! did not!
That Indian had reasons Of his own,
believe inches got a scar along his
ribs where Del Rey shot him with a
six-shooter! And. furthermore he
added. as her face cleared at this ex-
PLANTATION of the mystery. you'd better
try to take me at my word for the rest
of this trip! Looks to me like you've
been associating with these MeIicans
too much"
why. what do you mean she de-
CURLY.
Il mean this," answered Hooker, DE |
ing as we're on the subject again. |
Ever since I've knowed you you've !
been talking about brave men and
all that: and more'n once you've limited |
that wasn't brave because ! wouldn't |
hight
''rd tust Hike to tell you. 10 put /
yoaY mind at rest that my fathar vss
! sergeant In the Texas rangers and no
Mexicans was ever able to
make him crawl. He served for ten
'ears on the Texas border and never
urned his back to no man-let alone
Mex. ! was brought up by him to
% peaceable and quiet. but don't you
lever think. because I run away from
del Rey. that I was afrais'to
ace him"
He paused and regarded her intent
y. and her eyes fell before. his.
You must excuse me-" she said,
ooking wistfully away. Il did not-I
lid not understand And so the poor
laqui was only avenging an injury"
he went on. reaching out one slender
land toward the food. "Ah. can un.
lerstand IL now-he looked so savage
md fierce. But"--she paused again,
ct back by sudden thought-"didn't
'ou know he would kill him."
Yes, ma'am." answered Hooker
Iuietly. Il did"
"Then-then why didn't you"
That was between them two" he
ephed ooggedly. del Rey shot him
nee when he was wounded and left
lin for dead. lie must have killed
ONE OF his people. too his wife meb-
Ne. for all | know. He never would
ak about IT, but he come back to get
lis revenge. ! don't shoot no man
rom cover myself. but that amt it
was between them two"
And your" she suggested. IF you
lad fought Del Rey7"
II would have met him In the OPEN"
aid Hooker.
"And yet"
Il didn't want to-" he ended bluntly.
Didn't want to fight him and didn't
Vant to kill him. Had no call to. And
hen-well. there was you"
"Ah!" she breathed. and a flush
Mounted her pale cheeks. She smiled
8 she reached out once more for the
God and Hooker resolved to do HIS
est at sallantry. II seemed TO make