Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1914-10-01
CHAPTER xvIl--contInued

CHAPTER XVIl-continued
What. senor!" she b%antered; you
do not speak? Surely, then, your
friend De Lancey was wrong when
he said you would save me! For look,
Mr.. Hooker, l am promised to marry
dear Phil; but how a | 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
Iruins-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, | reckon-Phil's enlisted for five
years"
Hal" she cried contemptuously;
land do you think he will serve? No!
AT a word from me he will fee to the
border and l shall Join him in the
United Statesi"
"What?" demanded Bud; "Phil de,
isert?"
In a moment he saw what such a
mov would NEAR to hlm-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 I please, Mr.. Hook
err" she returned, balancing on the
verge of fight,
"All right" Bud came back; "but
don't you call me in on it. You've
made a fool of Phil suppose you'd
like to get me, too. Then your father
would grab our mine"
What do you mean?" she chal-
lenged, turning back upon him.
Il mean this" responded Hooker
warmly. Phil holds the title to our
mine. IL he deserts he loses his Mexi-
can citizenship and his claim is no
good. But you don't need to think that
your father will get the mine then, be-
cause he'll have to whip me first!"
"O-ho!" she sneered; so that is
what you are thinking of? You are q
true gringo. Nh. Hooker-always
thinking about the money!"
YES" returned Bud; and aver at
that | believe your old man will best
mel .aa.
She laughed again, with sudden
ca~prlciousness, and stood tapping the
floor with her foot.
"Ah. | see," she said at length, gaz,
ing at him r%eproachfully; you think
/ am working for my father. You
think l got poor Phil into all this
trouble In order to cheat him of his
mine. But let me tell you, Senor
Gringo," she cried with sudden fire
that | did not! have nothing to dc
with my father and his schemes. But
if you do not trust me-.
She turned dramatically to go, but
when Hooker made no effort to stay
her she returned once more to the at
tack.
mo-" she said, 1T was because he
was an American-because he wal
brave-that I put my faith in Phil
These Mexican men are co~wards--theJ
are afraid to stand up and fight! Blu
Philip dared to make love to me-ht
dared to sing to me at night-anc
when Manuel del Rey tried to stop hin
he stood up and made a 1ghtl t32
"Ah, that is what I admfre-a mar
who Is bravei And let me tell you
Senior Hooker, 1 shall always love your
friendi R | could run away I woult
marry him tomorrow; but this cur
Manuel del Rey. stands In the way
Even my own father Is against me
But | don't care-I don't care whai
happens only do not think that | an
not your friend!" ~ 80
She paused now and glanced at hin
Ishyly, and asher eloquent eyes me
his own Bud felt suddenly that sh,
was sincere. The gnawing and corrd
sive doubts that had eaten at his hear
fell away, and he saw her now in he
true beauty, with no uneasy thought,
Iof ~treachery to poison his honest love
4 believe you. lady" he said. IAN,
I'm glad to know you,v be added. tax
Ing on his hat and bowling awkwardIy
Anything I can do for you, don't hest
tate To ask for it--only IL can't Z,
against lily pardhefs on this mine.
He bowed again and -re9reate,
toward mo door, but she followed Iii
fmpuIsiYelys
Shake nhnds.v she said. holding ouu
both her VI eand win you Ihelp me9,
sures' answered Bud. and a. he,
soft fingers csosed on bis he took then