The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1914-09-25
CHAPTER XVIi-Continued

What. senor!" she bantered; "yot
do not speak? Surely, then, youl
friend De Lancey was wrong wher
he said you would save me! For look
Mr.. Hooker, am promised to marry
dear Phil; but how can | manage thai
when Manuel del Rey Is watching me;
It is impossible. is 1t 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
ruins-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 States!"
"What?" demanded Bud; phil de.
sert?"
In moment he saw what such a
move would mean to him-to Kruger
and the Eagle Tail--and he woke sud
denly from his calm.
Here now" he said, ecowling 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 thai
had tanned many bad horse and man
and she shrank away instinctiyely
Then she glanced at him shyly ant
edged over toward the open door.
Il viii do what l please, Mr.. Hook
er," she returned, balancing on tn
verge Of flight.
"All right" Bud came back; "bu
don't you call me in on it. You'v'
made fool Of Phil suppose you''
like to get me. too. Then your fathe
would grab our mine"
What do you mean?" she cha
lenged, turning back upon him.
81 mean this" responded Hooke
warmly. "Phil holds the title to on
mine. II he deserts he loses his Mex
=. can citizenship and his claim Is n
N good. But you don't need to think tina
81 your father will get the mine then, be
cause he'll have to whip me first!"
"O-ho!" she sneered; 80 that
what you are thinking Of? You are
true gringo, Mr.. Hooker-alway
thinking about the money!"
"Yes," returned Bud: "and even a
that l believe your old man will bes
mel"
She laughed again, with sudde
righteousness, and stood tapping tn
floor with her foot.
"Ah, see," she said at length, ga,
ing at him reproachfully; you thin
i am working for my father. 70
think got poor Phil into all thi
trouble in order to cheat him Of hi
mine. But let me tell you, Seno
Gringo," she cried with sudden fir
that did not! have nothing to d
with my father and his schemes. Bv
II you do not trust me-"
She turned dramatically to 90, by
when Hooker made no effort to sta
her she returned once more to the a
tack.
mo-" she said, 1T was because
was an American-because he wa
Ibrave-that / put my faith in Phi
These Mexican men are cowards-the
are afraid to stand up and fight: BIZ
Philip dared to make love to nie--h
dared to sing to me at night-an
when Manuel del Rey tried to stop hi
he stood up and made fight!
"Ah, that Is what | admire-a ma
who Is brave! And let me tell 70,
Senior Hooker, l shall always love you
friend! II could run away l whul
marry him tomorrow; but this Gu
Manuel del Rey, stands in the WI,
Even my own father is against hi
But / don't care-I don't care wha
happens-only do not think that l al
not your friend!"
She paused now and glanced at hill
shyly, and as her eloquent eyes mt
his own Bud felt suddenly that sh
was sincere. The gnawing and corr
sive doubts that had eaten at his hea
fell away, and he saw her now in hi