Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1915-07-07

ward her.
Even at this distance she could see
the malicious ape-grin IL was Man
uel Valdez. Carramba. What was
that low brute doing here. and where
was he--her sweetheartf Where was
he?
The man on the rock WAS drinking,
long and leisurely. something whisky
no donbt~from bottle.
Loiita's frightened eyes roved from
him 10 the bronrho. tied 10 a tree at
the edge Of the arroyo. then back
again. She conld not see into the pool
itself from where she stood; the rocks
interferesi.
Her breath f.iled and her very heart
halted when the one belo~ pointed to
Ii with one hand and bcckonesi 10 her
with the other.
A yell OF coarse laughter came up
the hillside
At the sound the girl threw away
the one loose glove and hurried down
ward.
Now she was past the jutting angie
Vi UstthauktHS fVChs btt1 tat WI
PAGES from the pool. Valdez between
She looked past him In an agony OF
relief. Bross had been taken unawares
BY the Mexican. He was wrapped
from shoulder TO heel In the snaky
folds OF two lnriats-trussed 50 that
he was little more than an inanimate
log. There was the tip Of branch to
serve as gag thrust roughly into his
mouth and tied behind
And he was In the midst of the pool,
bent into sitting posture. his back
against supporting bowider and an.
other slab laid heavily across his
knees, prcclnding any possibility OF
movement
Lolita drew hand across maddened
eyes and looked again Valdez ieered
vicionsiy Mt her.
well. little one be snarled In
Spanish. "you see. Quick woyk. ehf
You go up the ~hIll from your Amerf-
cano and hehold-he becomes a drown
ed rat,r.
Valdez. you dog she cried, with
eyes ablaze. @Le, him go. DO you
hear met Let him co.''
Not /. Lolita. Ii has been too great
a trouble TO pu, him where he Is yoa
do not notice the labor ! have per-
formed In stopping up the holes In the
wallis OF our small meeting place OF
waters. have crammed every crack
with grass and sod. Lolita Soon the
water viii be deeper. II your amigo
is thirsty II is well. lie win not have
long TO wait"
The girl understood
She gave one shudieriag. gasplng
sob: then, shrieking. she ran forward.
trying 10 pass. Valdez pushed her
back.
She grove,ei nj his feet, her face low
la the dust
'sYou VIII not do this-this dreadful
thing. Manuel: Manuelf'
Nothing shall save him. hate the
cursed Americana, 4 have hated him
since the first time ! ever saw hlm.
He wouli have taken you from me.
He shall die. Lolita. And aIa not
afraid OF your running away. my dear.
You will watch every one OF The tlny
bubbles. You can say farewell And
we will hear the rat squeak -tegging
for life. Keep back now"
Valdez leaned over the crystal sur
face and cut the string. The branch
with Its brush OF green needles drop
ped into the water Bross worked his
numb jaws and tongue convulslvely.
Lolita staggered around 10 the far side
Of the pool and crouched at It's very
edge.
Bross met her eyes quietly with
little smile.
You must 20. sweetheart" he said
ut IL useless 10 walt II will only
cause You agony. There il no reason
or mercy in him. He Is insane with
drink-and worse. Go now as fast as
you can"
The girl covered motioniess for an
other moment. then leared to her feet
and began wailing franticaily. The
water was over her lovers tightly
closed lips.
Manuel" she moaned. her arms out
stretched. Il yield. I will be your
slave. Only fake me away. ! do not
want to see this-this man die,''
The Mexican reached out his drunken
arms. She was ciose--within easy
reach
They were standing at the margin
OF the water. now dancing In the rain
drops
Looking down. she saw the first air
bubbles leap upward from the nostrlls
or the drowning man.
II was over In an instant. The long
hatpin was In her hand. Ii leaped for
ward like a snakes fang
Just behind the ear OF the Mexican
1t struck through deep--deeI-the out
again. leaving tiny mark-a mere
prick of the skin, II seemed. But the
man fell heavily. his head and Shout
ders in the water
Even before he struck Lolita was