The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-12-16

has carried me through many trou-
bies."
When the vaGuero came back with
the gray, old Miguel was waiting.
He had his sword-a relic of his army
days-ready to make fast TO the great
silver garnished saddle, for this vas
an errand to clear his honor Of an in
suit. Fearing a tragedy, Luis followed
him at a discreet distance.
The old man galloped hotly to town
and rode his horse straight into the
pawnshop and banged on the counter
with his saber.
Come OUT" be cried.
Cohn appeared at the inner door.
Sinking and rubbing his hands.
What's this insult" demanded old
Miguel, throwing the bit OF paper
down On the counter Cohn picked it
up rremuInusIy
You sav I owe you one thousand
pesos" sad the old don sternly.
Well" said Cohn, Struggling his
shoulders. Mr. Pancho he left the
note
He FASTENED TO the safe and brought
our poor Pancho's clumsy forgery.
Luis. who had quietly entered after
his father took the forged note and
read.
This saws he announced. that
you. papa. have promised to pay
Pancho Warren ore thousand pesos.
Mr.. COhn saws that Pancho brought
the paper in here and got the money"
The truth dawned on cid Miguel.
and It was an angry red dawn. His
eyes blazed but he was too thorough
ly gentleman to denounce the for
him privately, first.
With Luis following. but not daring
to say word Miguel rode on down
Main street. Near the old Bella
Union, Miguel saw the now horseless
Pancho sauntering blithely along
ogling the passing senoritas.
Without a shade of embarrassment.
Pancho tremendously saluted the in
dignant old gentleman.
Good day to you. my compadre." "
he said with a flourish. st gives me-
ten thousand pleasures to see you so
we'll"
! Old Miguel grimly dismounted and
threw the reins over the head Of the
gray. Luis noticed that he kept we'll
in toward the side Of the horse where
/ the saber was handy
/ With naughty and terrible look.
old Miguel brought the note out from
the pocket Of his bolero. Pancho's
, face lighted up az he recognized it.
! "Oh, yes he said cheerfully. that
is my note"
The old don's form grew straighter
and taller and his voice was very
stern.
Dog" he cried. do you mean you
have forged my name"
Pancho looked injured.
why. compadre." he said plaintive.
ly, how angry you get. Is this way
to speak to your compadre"
"Cohn says you have forged my
name. II he lies I shall kill him."
said old Miguel.
Eyes. certainly, wrote your name"
said Pancho still IN an injured voice.
What else could I DO. was playing
faro in the Pico House and I lost my
money. Then lost my horse Ex-
cited with the play, then said. I give
the name Of my noble compadre,
Senior Miguel Garcia
Pancho paused impressively
What do you suppose the pig Of an
American SAID"
Old Miguel made a gesture as one
who would say How should T know"
HE said: To hell with the Gar.
cias.'
The old mans face darkened
Well" he demanded.
Well" said Pancho, launching ~
! his shoulders, you see- compadre.
how could let the honor OF the Car
cias suffer- went out and made
/ note and got eight hundred pesos Of
| Cohn and took them and flung them
down before the dog Of an American
! pig to show him If the name OF Garcia
should be laughed at
Old Miguel impulsiveIy put cut his
hand and grfpped earnestly the hand
/ OF Pancho.
My friend and my com padre,' ne.
said. from the depths Of my heart
thank you You have saved the honor
OF the Garcias. and all that I Rave is
yours"
You see" said lose, meditatively-
you see. senior, they iidnt Under
stand. Old Miguel be die pauper