The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1914-09-11

nardo Bravo and his men are march
Ing to take our town. No. value the
friendship Of the valiant Americana
very highly-so | will let your friend
go. But first he must promise me ONT
thing-not to trouble the Senior Ara
gon by making further love to his
daughter!"
Very WE'LL" replied Bud. He hai
already promised that to me; SO come
on and let him out"
ITO your" repeated Manuel del Rey
with faint smile. Then, perhaps
Perhaps nothing!" broke in Hooker
shortly. Come on"
He led the way impatiently while
the captain, his saber clanking. strobe
out and rode beside him. He was not
a big man, this smashing captain Of
the rural police, but he was master.
nevertheless. Of a great district. from
Fortuna to the line, with reputation
for quick work In the pursuance OF his
duty as we'll as in the primrose ways
OF love.
In the instructions and raidings Of
the previous summer he had given the
coup de grace with his revolver to
more than one embryo bandit, and In
his love affairs he had shown that he
could be equally summary.
The elegant Feliz Luna, who for a
time had fingered near the charming
Gracia, had finally found himself up
against pair Of pistols with the op
ton Of either fighting Captain del Rey
or returning to his parents. The young
man concluded to beat retreat For
like offense Philip De Lancey had
been unceremoniously thrown into
Jail; and now the captain turned his
attention to Bud Hooker, whose mind
he had not yet fathomed.
Excuse me, senor," he said, after
brief silence, but your words left me
in doubt-whether to regard you as
friend or rival"
WHAT" demanded Bud. whose
knowledge of Spanish did not extend
to the elegancies.
"You said," explained the captain
politely, that your friend had prom.
ised you he would not trouble the lady
further. Does that mean that you are
interested In her yourself, or merely
that you perceive the hopelessness of
his suit and wish to protect him from
a greater evil that may we'll befall
him? For look you, senior, the girl Is
mine, and no man can come between
us!"
Huh" snorted Bud, who caught
the last all right. Then he laughed
shortly and shrugged his shoulders. Il
don't know what you're talking about"
be said grumy, "but he will stay away,
all right"
"Muy bien," responded Del Rey care.
lsssly and, dismounting at the Jail. he
threw open the door and stood aside
for his rival to come out.
"Muchas gracias, senior captain" sa-
luted Bud, as the door changed to be-
hind his pardner. But Phil still bristled
with anger and defiance, and the cap
tain perceived that there would be no
thanks from him. q
It Is nothing" he replied, bowling
politely. and something In the way he
A8it made De Lancey choke with
rage But there by the carcel door
wss not the place for picking Quarrels.
They went to the hotel, where Don
Juan, all apologies for his apparent
neglect-which he excused on the
ground that De Lancey had been held
Observation-Disclosures them as best
be could and hurried on to the news.
my gracious, Don Felipe" he cried.
you don't know how sorry l was to
see you in Jail, but the captains or.
ders were that no one should go near
you-and in Mexico we obey the ru-
rales. you know. Otherwise we are
placed against a wall and shot.
"But have you heard the news from
down below? All, what terrible times
they are having there-ranches raided,
women stolen, rich men held for ran.
som! Yes, 1t Is worse than ever! AL.
ready am receiving kilograms to pre-
pare rooms for the refugees. and the
people are coming In crowds.
Our friend, the Senior Luna, and
his son Feliz have been taken by Ber-
nardo Bravo! Only by an enormous