The Washington herald., 1914-06-21

Her eyes were glittering with excitement
peerine inside slowly and carefully before en-
tering. She knew all 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 wen laid plot
From chest in the corner, which she hur-
riedly overhauled, she drew q similar suit to the
one the little leader had worn. 1t would just
about fit her and she must take no chances OF
trying to cross the Rio Grande sttired as she
was
Swiftly she changed, for every moment now
was precious to others well as to herself.
Daughter of General Sumpter Love, abe was stre
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 IL easy for her
feminine features to be unacceptable even ~
It 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 one 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-
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 q huge sigh of relief as, dripping
and disheyelled she stood upon the right side
of the Rio" Up and down the bank she looked
for signs Of the border patrol but none was in
sight. Breathlessy she remounted and rode up
and down. Still no welcome challenge from q
soldier. But in the distance she could make out
o tiny speck.
The chances were Il was one of the Mexicans.
But something must be done IL the ranchman
was to be saved from the plot she had over
heard. Fercely she urged her mount toward the
speck in the distance, until her heart sank rs
she recognized the man for one of the plottere.
Cautiously she followed him, finding it very
difficult because of the mans own fear of detec-
ton. 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 q thunder
of sound as great bunch of cattle from the
remuda of the American were driven toward
her by the fendish Mexicans, Lucille saw the
danger she In Of being tramplsd underfoot
by that wild herd, driven to frenzy by the flames
and popping revolvers from behind them. She
urged her own horse to the right, escaping just
as the remuda whizzed by her in wild riot OF
sound. Here and there the Mexicsns had as
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 Mexicans had passed. As she
turned, she almost collided with long-mous-
tached, grizled man, driving bullet after bullet
after the marauders. She did not speak, did not
even rein in, but urged her own horse beside his,
drawing her revolver.
The ranchman uttered bewildered ejacula-
ton as he saw she was of his own blood.
81 trying to get there in time to warn
you" she gasped. There's a chance of driving
them into the patrol, If you know where it is"
Again he grunted his amazement at her
woman's 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 mingiing with the rapid discharge of the
ranchmans to make 1t sound like fusillade.
Came sudden abrupt wheeling of the stampede.
Came rife shot, more like a cloth being ripped
it was than anything else Lucille heard the
sharp voice of the sentry; saw the hesitancy Of
the Mexicans even as they huddled close together,
facing that solitary figure in olive khaki, be-
striding his mount 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 to 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 moment before nodding briskly that she
should speak. dancing imp of mischief was
in her eyes as she uttered his name
Lieutenant Carmody, don't you remember
me9"
The young officers eyes opened as wide as
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 as she saw that still he did
not clearly recall her.
Lucille Love!" he gasped, half rising from
his seat, his hands clutching the table edge so
{ tightly his knuckIes glinted g blueish black in
the light from the incandescent bulb Lucille
Love or her ghost"
"A very tired and hungry ghost" she
laughed delightedly. @Just try me and see"
As he summoned his orderly and gave him
instructions to bring sinstantly some canned
ssuf, Lucille hurriedly sketched out her adven-
- A~wvmN 80 Nw IL -