The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1914-07-29
The Land Of Broken Promises
(cepyright 1914. By Frank A. Munsey)

So he swung up on his horse and
followed slowly, and as soon as it was
dark he rode secretly through Old
Fortuna and on till he came to the
Jail. 1t was a square stone structure,
built across the street from the can
tina in order to be convenient for
the drunks, and as Bud rode up close
and stared at it, some one hailed him
through the bars.
Hello there, p%ardner." called Hook
er, swinging down and striding over
to the black window, how long have
they had you in here?"
1.-TWO days." answered Phil from the
inner darkness; but 1t seems like a
lifetime to me. Say, Bud, there's a
Mexican in here that's got the jim
jams-regular tequila jag-cant you
get me out?"
well, I sure will" answered Bud;
what have they got you in for?
Where's our friend, Don Juanf Why
didn't he let me know"
you can search mel" rallied De
Lancey. Seems like everybody quits
] you down here the minute you get
| into trouble. I got arrested night b.
fore last by those ID rurales-
Manuel Del Rey was behind 1t, you
can bet your life on that-and I've
been here aver since!"
well, what are you pinched for?
| Who do l go and see?"
Punched for ~nothing!" cried De
Lancey bitterly. "Pinched because
I'm a Mexican citizen and can't pro-
tect myself! I'm incomunicado for
three days!" ....
well, I'll get you out, all right"
said Hooker, leaning closer against
the bars. Here, have a smoke-did
they frisk you Of your makings?"
mol" snapped De Lancey Grossly,
"but I'm out Of everything by this
time. Bud, l tell you I've had a time
of it! They threw me in here with
this crazy, numbering Mexican and
l haven't had a wink Of sleep for two
days. He's quiet now, but I don't
want any more"
well, say" began Bud again, what
are you charged with? Maybe I can
grease somebody's paw and get you
out tonight" ?
There was an awkward pause at
this, and finally De Lancey dropped
his white face against the bars and
his voice became low and beseechIng.
"Ill tell you, Bud" he said, II
haven't been quite on the square with
you've been holding out a little.
But you know how it is-when a fell
lows in love. I've been going to see
Gracia!"
"Oh!" commented Hooker, and stood
very quiet while he waited.
Yes, I've been going to e her."
hurried on Phil. II know l promised;
but, honest, Bud, l couldn't help It
1t just seemed as If my whole being
was wrapped up in her, and I had to
do it. Shed be looking for me when
l came and went-and then I fixed it
with her maid to take her a letter.
And then l met her. secretly, back
by the garden gate. You know they've
got some holes punched in the wall
loopholed during the fight last sum-
mer-and we'd"
! Sure, I'll take your word for that"
broke in Hooker harshly. But get to
the point! What are you pinched
for?" !
WELL" went on De Lancey. his
voice quavering at the reproof, Il was
going to tell you, II you'll listen to me
Somebody saw US there and told Ara.
gon-he shut her up for a punishment
and she slipped me out a note-well. l
couldn't stand it hired the string
band and we went down there In a
hack to give her a serenade. But this
cad, Manuel del Rey, who has been
acting like a jealous ass all along,
swooped down on us with a detach-
ment of his rurales and took US all
to Jail. He let the musicians out the
next morning, but I've been here ever
since"
"Yes, and what are you charged
WITH" demanded Bud brusquely.
Drunk" confessed Phil, and Bud
grunted.
HUH" he said land me out watch
ing that mine night and day!"
"Oh, I know I've done you dirt,
Bud" walled De Isncey; "but didn't
mean to, and III never do 1t again."
Never do what?" inquired Bud
roughly.
81 won't touch another drop of
booze as long as I'm in Mexico!" cried
Phil. Not a drop!"
And how about the girl?" continued
Bud inexorably. Her old man was out
and tried to jump our mine today
how about herr"
WELL" faltered De Lancey, "Ill-
She"
you know your promised" reminded
Bud.
Yes; l know. But-oh, Bud, If you
knew how loyal I've been to you'll
you knew what offers I've resisted
the mine stands in my name, you
know"
"Well?"
We'll, Aragon came around to me
last week and said if I'd give him a
half interest in it he'd-well, never
-nind-it was a great temptation. But
did l fall for it? Not On your life! |
know you, Bud, and l know you're hon.
9st-you'd stay by me to the last