The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1915-07-29
FREE YET CAPTIVE
BY cLARIssA MAckIE.

fricassee had been overpeppered, the
sweet potatoes had been burned IN the
baking and the dessert had been a
grotesque assemblage Of half'stewed
fruits.
Mr.. Amory pushed aside his plate
In disgust and touched his lips to
the coffee
Mud" he muttered. tragically,
Il am afraid that Marta is obsessed
by the general uneasiness," huttered
his gentle little wife. When Pedro
brought the mail he announced that
company Of rebels was on the way
to attack the mines, and the woman
is terrified"
We'll, for my part, I'd rather take
good advice and leave San Vsdos
while there is time to do it grace
ical moment comes we must drop
everything and fly In the motor that
he will send from town. How I hate
this Mexicoi" Mrs. Amory arose and
clumsy-footed Marta came In to re-
move the cloth.
In the veranda of the adobe house
the three sat and watched the stars
pricking out in the deep blue sky.
They were very silent; perhaps each
one was weighing the gravity of the
situation that confronted them after
many months of false alarms.
Suddenly out of the silence there
came the distant purr Of motor
coming over the Ledro bridge.
Amory tossed his cigar over the
railing and rose to his tall height.
81 rather think that's Ritch's auto
mobile" he said.
you won't go, Uncle DAM" asked
Barbara eagerly.
"Of course, we will go, Bobs," In
terrupted her aunt's voice sharply.
You should be thankful that Mr..
Ritch has provided means for US
to reach the coast and take ship to
San Diego. I'm going to get my
things-Ive had them packed for
three weeks-and you had better get
together anything you especially
treasure. We shall never see Mexico
again, If I have my way!"
Are you really going, Uncle DAM"
urged Barbara. "Of course, know
that you've had everything closed up
at the mines and-oh, here he
comes!" she sighed impatiently. Hits
lights are out, too"
Something black doomed out of the
darkness of the drive and a large
motor car halted at the steps. A man
alighted and came onto the veranda
Mr.. Amory?" he asked In a crisp,
authoritative tone.
yes"
Mr.. Ritch asked me to take your
people to the coast The Ritchs have
barely escaped with their lives and
Mr.. Ritch is slightly wounded. They're
halfway to the coast now. think
we can overtake them If we hurry"
I'VE had about decided to stay and
fight i out" hesitated Mr. Amory.
Fight 1t out with what?" demand
ed the other. How many men can
you depend on? Ritch thought he
could depend on 200 and every blamed
greaser Joined the rebel forces and
chased him off his own plantation.
OOHONC LA 6OAA5 Wul1O Lu0 SOluk
good"
That's excellent advice, Mr.. -.
By Jove, I ought to know you, your
voice is familiar apologized Amory
my name is Campbell You may
remember me as your nearest neigh
Dor on the south-owner of the Gao
tus mine-and sort of foe, suppose"
he laughed ruefully.
Canpbell-Campbell, Of the Gao
tus mine-why, we can't be under OBJ
legations to you!" chortled Amory
with his customary hot temper.
you don't mean to say that you'd
let the mere matter of lost lawsuit
stand between you and the lives of
your family?" asked the other in
credulously.
Perhaps Mr.. Amory's family would
prefer to lose their lives than to hold
them under obligation to Mr.. Gordon
Campbell!" interpolated Barbara
warmly II would rather remain here,
Uncle Dan," she said firmly.
Mrs. Amory fluttered onto the veran-
da, her arms full of bundles. "I'm just
in time" she gasped. ooh, is it Mr.
Ritch's chauffeur-no?" AS the young
man took the bags from her grasp.
1T is Mr.. Gordon Campbell, of the
Cactus NINE" said Amory grimfy. He
has come to convey us to the coast,
my dear. Bobs and / prefer to re-
main here. How about you, Sally?"
Mrs. Amory, recollecting the bit
azg1 IN