Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1914-10-23

With perhaps 3 little 1aqu1," she
suggested shyly.
We'll. mebbe he did say that, too"
confessed Bud. But it's jest as good
as Spanish-they say all the big men
In Sonora have got some Yaqui blood
Moral, that was vice-presidert; the
Tonnes brothers. governors"
And Aragoni" she added playfully,
but at a look in his ayes she stopped,
Bud could not look pleasant and think
of Aragon.
"Ah, yes" she ratified on. II know.
You like the Yaquis better than the
Spanish saw you shaking hands
with that Indian. And what was 1t
YOU called him-Amigo?"
That's right" smiled Hooker; him
and me have been friends for months
now out at the mine. I'd do anything
for that Teller"
"Oh. now you make me Jealous" she
pouted. IF I were only a Yaqui-and
big and black"
Never mind" defended Bud. "He
was a true friend, all right, and true
friends, believe me, are scarce"
There was a shade OF bitterness in
his voice that did not escape her, and
she was careful not to allude to Phil.
His name. like the name of her father.
always drove this shy man to silence,
and she wanted to make him talk.
Then you ought to be friends with
me-" she chided. after a silence. Il
have always wanted to be you friend
why win you lever allow it? No,
but really Haven't | always shown
it? l remember now the first time that
l saw you'll vas looking through my
hole among the passion-fowers and
you saw me with your keen eyes,. Phil
did not-but he was there. And you
just looked at me once-and looked
away. Why did you eve respond
when | came there to look for you?
You would just ride by and look at
me once, and ever Phil never knew"
"No," agreed Bud. smiling quietly
"He was crazy to see you, but he rode
right by. looking at the windows and
such"
THE first time l met him." unused
Gracia, Il asked about you. Did he
ever tell your"
Bud hung his head and grinned
sheepishly. 1t was not difficult to make
out a case against him.
And co Gracia had not wanted Del
Rey killed as he thought she did
She was not the vicious woman he
had thought her for a time. She was
just the gentle, noble girl he had
sworn to protect and conduct across
the border to her iance. Again came
the desire to claim her, but there was
not only Phil to be thought of but
the fitness of himself to be the mate
of this woman.
'Ts 1t something I have done?" she
asked at last. rs that why you never
liked me? Now, Mr.. Hooker, please
speak to me! And why do you always
But look."-she moved closer to him
here we are alone, and l am not afraid
of you'll" Il
"Of course not" answered Bud. look
ing across at her boldly. why should
you be-you amt afraid Of moth
ing!"
"Ts that a compliment? p she demand
ed eagerly. "Oh, then I'm 80 happy
it's the first you ever paid me! But
have | been brave" she beamed. 80
far? Have | been brave, like a mani"
Sure havei" remarked Hooker i'm
personally, but we amt there yet.
Only thing l don't like about you is
you don't eat enough Say, don't pick
up them crumbs-let me pare off some
more of this ierked beef for you. Can't
nobody be brave when they're hun
CRY, you know, and l want to bring you
in SAFE"
"Why7" she inquired, as she accept.
ed the handful Of meat. us is on
Pills account" she yentured, as he
sat gazing stoically at the horses.
You were such friends, weren't your"
she went on innocently. "Oh, that is
why admire the Americans SO much
they are 10 true to each other!"
eyes," observed Hooker, rolling his
eyes OF her, we're fine that way!"
We'll, / mean it," she insisted, an
she read the irony in his glance.
Sure! So do IT, answered Hooker.
and Gracia continued her meal In ST.
lence.
"My!" she said at last; ''this meat is
good! Tell me, how did you happen to
have 1t on your saddle? We left 30
suddenly, you knowl"
She gazed mp at him demurely, curl
GUS to see how he would evade this EVIL
dence that he had prepared In advance
for their ride. But once more, as he
had always done, Hooker eluded the
cunningly laid snare.
II was figuring on pulling out my.
SELF" he replied ingenuously.
What? And not take me?" she
cried. "Oh. / thought-but lear me,