The daily sentinel., 1914-07-15

when she stole cautiously to the adobe shack
peering inside slowly and carefully before en-
tering. She knew ali their plans and her blood
was boiling but she also knew from what they
had said that they too would be on the lookout
for any upset to the well laid plot.
From chest in the corner. which she hur-
riedly oyerhauled, she drew a similar suit to the
one the little leader had worn. It would Just
about fit her and she must take no chances of
trying to cross the Rio Grande attred as she
was.
Swiftly she changed, for every moment now
was precious to others well to herself.
Daughter of General Sumpter Love, she was afire
with rage at the way the Mexicans had spoken
OF the border patrol of her country, the pre-
sumption of the plan she had heard outlined
The gaudy costume fitted her beautifully and
the broad straw sombrero with its weight of
silver cording and tassels made it easy for her
feminine features to be unacceptable even
1t concealed her long hair
She was well pleased with herself when,
again, she mounted her horse. The beast had
been ready to drop in his tracks any moment
and she had killed two birds with stone
while changing her costume. Cautiously toward
the glittering ribbon of river she rode, her eyes
always alert for any sign of the Mexican forag
ing party.
The horse hesitated at the bank of the
stream but Lucille boldly urged him forward.
Cautiously the beast advanced one foot before
the other, sinking lower and lower in the water,
until, his feet giving out from under him, he
launched out. Lucille held to the reins and
thanked her stars for the forethought which had
induced her to change the skirts which would
have weighted her down.
She heard huge sigh of relief as, dripping
and dishevelled she stood upon the fright side
of the Rio" Up and down the bank she looked
for signs of the border patrol but in
sight. Breathessly she remounted and rode up
and down. Still welcome challenge from a
soldier. But in the distance she could make out
tiny speck
The chances were it of the Mexicans.
But something must be done IL the rnnchman
was to be saved from the plot she had
heard. Fiercely she urged her mount toward the
speck in the distance, until her heart sank $
she recognized the man for of the plotters.
Cautiously she followed him, finding it very
difficult because of the mans fear of detec-
tion. Hours it seemed to her she pursued the
sinking figure until it joined with two others.
Gradually, after few miles journeying, great
blaze shot high in air, blaze punctuated by
shots and wild cries.
The three men cruelty dashed their spurs
into the sides of their horses. Came thunder
of sound great bunch of cattle from the
remuda of the American driven toward
her by the fendish Mexicans, Lucille saw the
danger she in of being trampled underfoot
by that wild herd, driven to frenzy by the flames
and popping revovers from behind them She
urged her horse to the right, escaping just
the remuda whizzed by her in wild riot of
sound. Here and there the Mexicans had
sembled themselves, always alert marvellous
horsemen all, keeping the frightened beasts to-
gether while they drove them in direct line for
the river.
Lucille felt shot slash through the sleeve
of her jacket. She refined in her horse instantly,
for she knew the Mexicnns had passed. As she
turned, she almost collided with u long-mous-
tacbed. grizzled man, driving bullet after bullet
after the marauders. She did not speak, did not
rein in, but urged her own horse beside his,
drawing her revolver.
The ranchman uttered a bewildered ejacula-
tion he she was of his own blood.
81 was trying to get there in time to warn
you," she gasped. There's q chance of driving
them into the patrol, If you know where 1t Is"
Again he grunted his anazement at her
womans voice.
without another word. as though complete
understanding had been established, he waved
to the right She drew her revolver as her fresh
ened horse ate up the ground beneath his feet
Time and again she fired, the sound of her own
gun mingling with the rapid discharge of the
ranchman's to make it sound like fusillade.
Came n sudden abrupt wheeling of the stampede
Game a rifle shot, more like cloth being ripped
1t than anything else. Lucille heard the
sharp voice of the sentry, saw the hesitancy of
the Mexicans even as they huddled close together.
facng that solitary figure in olive khaki, be-
striding his mount as though carved from
granite.
They looked hesitatingly behind them The
ranchmans revolver sounded and their leader
threw his hands in the air and Topped over upon
his horses neck. The soldiers voice rang out TO
them and the frightened bandits threw down
their short carbines in token of surrender. The
sentry waited until Lucille and the ranchman
came up then listened to their story, at the end
demanding their presence before his command
ing officer.
The girl listened silently to the expressions
of gratitude bestowed upon her by the ranch
man then watched him as following the cap
tives he entered the house which they had
been brought 1t took but little while for the
sentry to emerge with his captives, then she
caught her breath with cry of delight as she
recognized young officer whom she had known
in the PHILIPPINES. He beckoned her silently,
seating himself at his desk and writing busily
for n moment before nodding briskly that she
should speak. dancing imp of mischief was
in her eyes us she uttered his
"I4eutenant Carmody, don't you remember
me?"
The Young officers eyes opened wide
his mouth. He stared dumbly at the slender
figure before him, knitting his brows in an at
tempt at concentration. Then Lucille removed
her hat, allowing the roughly .piled-up masses of
hair to tumble over her shoulders while she
laughed roguishly she saw that still he did
not clearly recall her.
"Iuciile Love" he gasped, half rising from
his seat his hands clutching the table edge so
tightly his knuclSles glinted blueish black in
the light from the incandescent bulb. Lucille
Love or her ghost"
"a very tired and hungry ghost" she
laughed delightedy. "Just try me and see."