The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1914-09-26
CHAPTER xvII-continued

What, senor!" she bantered; you
do not speak? Surely. then, your
friend De Lancey was wrong when
he said you would save me! For look,
Mr.. Hooker, 1 am promised to marry
dear Phil; but how can l manage that
when Manuel del Rey is watching me?
1t is impossible. is it not?"
Seems So" muttered Bud, and in
the back of his head he began to think
quickly. Here was the fountainhead
of his misfortunes, and if she had her
way she would lay all his plans in
ruins-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. 1 reckon-Phil's enlisted for five
years"
Hal" she cried contemptuously;
'and do you think he will serve? No!
At a word from me he will fee to the
border and I shall join him in the
United States!"
WHAT" demanded Bud; Phil de-
sert?'
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, scowling 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.
81 will do what please, Mr.. Hook
er," she returned, balancing on the
verge of flight
"All right" Bud came back; "bu
don't you call me in on it You've
made fool of Phil suppose you't
like to get me, too. Then your father
would grab our mine"
What do you mean?" she chal
lenged. turning back upon him.
81 mean this" responded Hooke
warmly Phil holds the title to on
mine. If he deserts he loses his Mex
can citizenship and his claim is III
good. But you don't need to think tina
your father will get the mine then, be
cause he'll have to whip me frstI"
"O-hoi" she sneered; $50 that
what you are thinking of? You are
true gringo, Mr.. Hooker-alway
thinking about the money!
0o-5 1-1~. =,
that l believe your old man will bes
mel"
She laughed again, with sudde
capriciousness, and stood tapping tn
floor with her foot.
"Ah, see," she said at length, gal
ing at him reproachfully; you thin
am working for my father. 70
think l got poor Phil into all thi
trouble in order to cheat him OF hi
mine. But let me tell you. Seno
Gringo," she cried with sudden fri
that l did mott l have nothing to d
with my father and his schemes. Blu
If you do not trust me"
She turned dramatically to go, bu
when Hooker made no effort to sta
her she returned once more to the a
tack.
NO" she said, ct was because b
was an observation-disclosures he wa
brave-that l put my faith in Phi
These Mexican men are cowards-the
are afraid to stand up and fghti BIZ
Philip dared to make love to me-h
dared to sing to me at night-an
when Manuel del Rey tried to stop bill
he stood UP and made a fight!
"Ah, that is what admire7a ma
who is brave! And let me tell 20
Senior Hooker, shall always love yoT
friend! If l could run away / woul
marry him tomorrow; but this Gu
Manuel del Rey, stands In the wa
Even my own father is against m
But I don't care-I don't care viii
happens-oniy do not think that q,
not your friend!"
She paused now and glanced at If
shyly, and as her eloquent eyes M
his own Bud felt suddenly that 81
was sincere. The gnawing and corr
sive doubts that had eaten at his hea
fell away. and he saw her now in b,
true beauty, with no uneasy though
OF treachery to poison his honest Low
believe you, lady" he said. "AI
I'M glad to know YOU" he added, Ia
ing on his hat and bowling awkward
anything can do for you, don't hei
tate 70 ask for it-onIy 1 can't /,
against my PARTNERS on this mine"
He bowed again and retreat.
toward the door. but she followed hi
impulsiveiy.
Shake hands" she said, holding o
both her own. "and VIII ron helm me
sure!" answered Bud, and as b
soft fingers closed on his he took the