Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1914-11-20

bVf'IN'Eh AiIDINhiAh A''HA'
precious thirty-thirties had beer de-
livered 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 flew
into a rage and threatened.
All in all, 1t was a pitiful exhibition
OF hot-headedness and ~imbecillty, and
only tho firmness OF the superintend-
ent prevented a real splitting OF blood.
The Mexicans retired In q hum and
broke into the cantina, and as the
night came on the valley re-echoed to
their drunken shoutings.
Such was war as the Sonorans con
ceived II. When Hooker. standing his
guard In the corredor, encountered
Gracia Aragon on her evening walk.
no could scarcely conceal a grin.
WHAT are you laughing at. Senior
Hooker?" she demanded with aspcrity.
"Is 1t SO pleasant, with a houseful OF
frightened women and screaming chill
dren, that you should make fun Of our
pllght?"
mo, indeed" apologized Bud; moth
ing like that, Sure must be bad In
there stay outside myself. But
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 scornful curl
OF the lip. But II all men were as
open as you, Mr.. Hooker, we women
would never need to ask a question.
This morning you told me | did not
know what ! was talking about--now l
presume you are thinking what cow
ards the Mexicans are!
ooh, ! know! You need not deny Il!
You are nothing but a great big--Te.
jano! Yes. | was going to say brute
but you are a friend Of dear pills, and
30 | will hold my tongue. II 1t wasn't
for that, I'd" She paused. leaving
him to guess.
"Oh, | do wish he we're here" she
breathed, leaning YEARLY against the
white pillar of an arch and gazing
down through the long arcade.
1T was so close In there" she con
tinued, Il could not stand 1t a minute
longer. These Indian women, you
~know-they weep and moan all the
time. And the children-I am SO sorry
for them. | 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 l am
afraid. These rebels are nothing-I
agree with you! No! ! am not angry
with you at all now! But tomorrow,
Just at dusk, when all is still as 1t Is
al this time, then, II Phil we're here
| would mount my brave horse and
ride out by the western pass"
She ended rather inconclusively, let
ting her voice trail off wistfully as she
waited for him to speak, but something
within moved Hooker to hold his
peace, and he looked out owe the town
without commenting on her plans. II
was evident to him that she was deter
mined to enlist his sympathy and In
volve him In her wild plot, and eact
time the conversation veered In tina
direction he took refuge. In a stubborn
silence.
What are you thinking Of, Mr.
Hooker?" she asked at last, rs h,
gazed into the dusk. Sometimes
scold you and sometimes | try t,
please you, but never know what 20,
think! | did not mean that when
!. Sid | could read your thoughts-yo,
are 30 different from poor, dear Phil!
"M-m-m," mumbled Bud, shifting hi
feet. and his face turned a little grim
"Aha!" she cried with ill-conceale,
, satisfaction, you do not like me t
call him like that. do you? Poor, dea
Phil,'-like that! But do you knov
! why | do It? II is to punish you 70
, never coming near me-when | signe
to you-when l waited for you-lon
ago! An. you we're so cruel! l wan
a ed to know you-you were a cowboy
a and | thought you we're brave enoug
a to defend me-but you always rod
a right by. Yes, that was it-but Phi
/, was different! He came when | ser
= for him he sang songs to me at night
he took my part against Manuel d,
Rey; and now"
"Yes!" commented Bud bruskl,
g with his mind on dear Phil's" fnisl
o and she turned to peer into his face
q so that is It'll" she said. You d
v not trust me. You think that I am nj
r your friend-that l will serve you {
IS he was served. Is that what you al
d thinking?"
l. Something like that" admitts
D Hooker, leaning lazily against Il
o mud wall. only reckon don't thir
Just the way you do"
'why7 How do Think" she d
IT handed eagerly.
We'll, you think awful fast" a
y swered Hooker slowly. And you dor
10 always think the same, seems lik