The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1914-07-17

NNlNN hNN from we NNNlN, NnA Nl any
cha.co could q man pass over n IN tho
daytime without meeting some M on
tho way. and ~ the base royoltosos
ono set eyes on Oracla u would take
moro than a nod to restrain them.
SO. IN a sheltered ravlno they sought
cover until II was dark, aud while
Gracia slept. the hcuvy-hoaded nud
watched the plain from the heights
above.
AZ no watched he dreamed Of a
homo in which this woman now sleep
ing beside him was tho queen He
dreamed Of years 20 come with un.
bounded happiness throughout an 81
them. Thoughts Of Phil and duty 20
his pardner were far away. Nothing
on the plain below served 10 distract
him from thin dream of happiness.
As far as no could see there was
nothing that favorod Of danger for
the woman In his keeping There
we're no sounds or signs Of either
federal or revolutionary troops. from
both OF which they we're fleeing, and
from both OF which he must guard
her. Again they were IN a world that
was all their own. an Eden with but
n mar and ono oma
For an hour and moro he watched
and dreamed. and with the dreams
came the desire for sleep. the cry OF
nature for rest. Gracla stirred, then
spoke softly 10 him. calling him by
name. and her voice was as music
far away.
when she nwoke and found him nod
ding Gracla insisted upon taking his
place. Now that she had been re-
freshed her dark eyes were bright and
sparkling, but bud could hardly see.
Tho long watching by night and by day
had left his eyes ~bloodshot and swol-
len. with lids that dropped In spite Of
him. II he did not sleep now he
might doze IN the saddle later. or ride
bllndly into some rebel camp; so he
made her promise to call him and lay
down 10 rest until dark.
The stars were an cut when he
awoke, startled by her hand on hia
hair. but she treasured him with a
word and led him up the hill TO their
lookout II was then that he under.
stood her silence. In the brit, hours
during which no had slept the dc.
serted country seemed suddenly TO
have come TO life.
by daylight there had been nothing
TO suggest the presence Of men
But now as the velvet night set.
tied down upon the land Il brought
out the gllmmcring spocks OF a hun
dred campfire 90 the EAST and TO the
north. But the fires TO which Gracia
POINTED were cot fairly in their trail.
and they barred the way TO Gadsdon.
Look gic aaid. Il dld not want
TO wake you. but the fires have sprung
up everywhere These last ones are
right in the pgss"
when did you see thcm?" asked
LOCKER. his head son heavy with
tiVpp. Have they been there longg"
"No. only "A few minutes" she an
Ewered. "At shutdown | saw those over
TO the east-thcy are along the base
of that big black m~ountain-but these
flashed up just now; and sec, there
are more. and morel'
Some outfit coming in from the
NORTH said Bud. They've crossed
over tho pass and oamped at the first
water this side"
who DO you think they areY" asked
Gracia In an awed voice. "Insurrec
tos7"
Like as not" muttered Bud. gazing
from encampment TO encampmenL
"But whoever they are" ne added.
they're no friends OF ours. We've got
20 so around them
And Il We can't?" suggested Ora
cha.
Il reckon wen have to go through,
then answered Hooker grimly. We
don't want 10 get caught here In the
morning"
Ride right through their camp7"
gRsped Gracia-
Let tho sentries get 70 sleep" he
went on. half 60 himself. Then. Just
before the moon CONES up, well try 20
edge around them, and II Il comes 90
a showdown. wen ride for i'll Are
you gamer"
He turned 10 read the answer, and
she drew herself up proudly.
Try mel" she challenged. drawing
nearer 10 him in the darkness. And 30
they stood. sldo b. side. while their
hands olaspod In promise. Then. as
the night grew darker and no new
hres appeared. Hooker saddled up the
wellfed horses and they picked their
way down 10 the trail
The first fires were far ahead. but
they proceeded az a walk. their horses
feet falling silently upon the sodden
ground. Not a word was spoken and
they halted often 10 listen, for others.
TOO. might BE- abroad. Tho distant
fires we're dying row., except a few
where men rose 10 feed thom.
The braying Of burros came IN from
tho fats 20 the right aud az the mgt
I've drew near the first encampmeni
they could hear the voices OF the night
guards as they rode about tho horse
herd. Then. az they waited Impatient.
~, tho watch.nres died down. the
guards no longer sang their high fal
gpffO. md pVpu fha nuFroa ware asuI