The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-08-06

rifles were leveled uncomIorlapiy
upon his stomach.
Don Ramon removed his hat and
made a sweeping bow.
Senior" he said, welcome. VIII
you accompany me upon a visit to our
friend, Don Luis house?"
II shall b. delighted" answered
Hale. when do we start?"
AT once, Senior Hale" answered
the youth, and sent for the horses,
which had been tied in a clump OF
brushwood three hundred yards dis
tant. When they had arrived Don
Ramon held Hale's stirrup. until he
was in the saddle; then he mounted
his own horse, and accompanied by
the Mexicans. they clattered away To-
ward the hacienda.
The old crone was waiting for them
with coffee. Don Ramon looked
round briskly.
Where IL Senor1ra Leonora! no
demanded
she is gone!" muttered the crone.
she rode out toward Sonora early
this morning and has not returned
Don Ramon ground his teeth.
when will she return" he asked.
and the old woman burst into storm
of excited jabbering, which Hale
could not follow.
When she had ended the Mexican
turned to him.
"Senor," he began, quietly enough,
but gradually working himself into
fury as he proceeded. you are doubt
less glad that Senorita Leonora has
escaped But you do me an injustice,
for my love for her is too deep to per-
NIT me to do her injustice. My wish
10 only to shield her in these troublous
times that have come upon us. am
particularly anxious to protect her
against you"
Don't trouble yourself" said Hale
CURLY.
1T will be no trouble" said Don Ra-
mon, snarling He turned to one OF
his men. String a rope over the
tulip tree" he said.
emily came back with 1t. He flung it
over the tree and tied one end into a
moose The old crone watched from
the veranda.
Hale looked at the rope and at the
Mexican. In that second he was cal
culating his chances. He was I'M
armed; he could, at the best, hope for
nothing but death by the bullets Of the
rebels instead Of by hanging. Should
he plead for his life, or for an easier
exit?
"Senor Hale" he said, though you
view death coolly, life is, undoubted-
ly, as sweet to you as to any other
man. You have a chance to save
yourself As have said, do not
want to harm you'll only wish to pro.
! tect my kinswoman. You shall 60
free and unharmed-if you consent to
marry the Sonora here"
Damn you, go on with your hang
; Ing" shouted Hale.
The Mexican looked toward the
rope and spoke a word. Two men
stepped forward and, seixing Hale, be
gan leading him toward the tree. The
moose was placed round his neck. Two
. others seized the loose end of the
rope. They looked to Don Ramon
for the signal.
The old woman rushed forward
! screaming frantically, fell on hel
knees before Don Ramon, and plead
ed with him. Don Ramon did moi
give the expected signal.
"Senor," he said to Hale. surely
you will not disappoint my excellent
kinswoman by refusing her suit!
Your chivalry alone should prohibit
you from 30 ungentlemanly an action
Come, Senior. give you thirty min
utes to decide Speak with her II
privacy, listen to her plea, consider
whether life be sweet. or whether
death be sweeter." He came nearer
she Is eighty.four." he whispered
she won't live long. Senior Hale,
shall hang you greatly against m!
will. for the American government
arm IL long. BE wise!"
He issued = sharp order and turnet
on his heel. The soldiers forced Hal,
into the house and led him to the re
ception room. The old crone was con
Quoted thither and the men withdrew
taking their posts at the door. Hal,
and the old lady were left alone to
gether.
They looked at each other. He say
the wrinkled face, the bleared eyea
half visible beneath the heavy lac
mantilla which she had thrown owe
her head. She was singularly like he
niece in build, perhaps q warning o
what the Senorita would become II
her old age. The caricature was hol
rible, and 1t made Hale shudder will
disgust To buy his freedom in sucl
a way was impossible.
"Senor!" said soft voice near him
Hale started and turned around. I
was the voice Of the Senorita. H
heard low laugh behind him agail
and swung back toward the crone
Before him stood the Senorita, tn
mantilla raised and thrown back tn
bowed figure Strengthened. the hes
clear and youthful and firm under tn
painted wrinkles. the black hair jus
discernible beneath the wig of white
"You!" stammered Hale
Isl. Senior. Do you wish to chang
your decisionr' she murmured d.
murely
l But Why" he began.
"Ah Senior In thAAA timea an al