Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1915-07-07
THIRTEENTH lNSTsLLMENT
TONGUES OF FLAME.
CHAPTER XVIII.

FROM the SHADOWS OF TIE trees on
the farther side of The river, Craig
with strained eyes watched Quests
struggle. He saw him reach Lenora,
watched him struggle to the bank
with her. waited until he had lifted
her on to his horse. Then ne turned
slowly around and faced the one coun-
try in the world where freedom was
still possible for him. He looked into
the wall of darkness, penetrated only
at one spot by little blaze of light.
Slowly, with his arm through the
bride of his horse, he limped towards
II AS he drew nearer and discovered
its source. he hesitated. The light
came through the uncurtained win
dows of saloon, three long, yellow
shafts Illuminating the stunted
shrubs and sandy places Craig kept
in the shadow between them and
drew a little nearer. From inside he
could hear the humping of a worn
piano, the twanging of a guitar, the
rattle Of glasses, the uproarious shout
ing of men, the shrill laughter OF
women. The tired men and the lame
horse stole reluctantly little nearer.
Craig listened once more YEARLY. It
was home he longed for so much
and rest. The very thought Of the
place sickened him. Even when he
reached the door, he hesitated and in
stead Of entering stood back amongst
the shadows. If only he could find
any other sort of shelterl
Inside, the scene was ordinary
enough. There was long bar, against
which we're lounging half a dozen
typical Mexican cowpunchers. There
was small space cleared for dancing,
at the farther end of which two per
formers we're making weird but We.
hement music. Three girls we're dane.
ing with cowboys, not ungracefully
considering the state of the floor and
the frequent discords in the music.
One of them-the prettiest-stopped
abruptly and pushed her partner away
from her.
"You have DRUNK too muck Josef"
she exclaimed. you cannot dance.
You tread on ny feet and you lean
against me l do not like it. / will
dance with you another night when
you are sober. Go away. please"
Her cavalier swayed for moment
on his feet. Then he looked down
upon her with an evil glitter in his
eyes. He was tall and thin, with a
htoofx x,.,,Stooba opd x,aIIoxu ,pnlooc.
ant looking teeth.
$50 you will not dance any longer
with JOSEF" he muttered Every well,
you shall drink with him, then. We
will sit together at one Of those little
tables. Listen, you shall drink wine"
81 do rot want to drink wine with
you. Ali that / wish is to be left
alone" the girl insisted, CURLY. go
and play cards, If you want to. There
is Pietro over there. aud Diego. Per-
haps you may win some money. They
say that drunkards have all the luck.
Jose leered at her.
Presently l will play cards." he
said. Presently | will win all their
money and will buy jewelry for you,
Marta--stones that look like diamonds
and will sparkle in your neck and In
your hair"
She turned disdainfully away.
81 do not want your jewelry, Jose"
she declared.
He caught her suddenly by the
wrist.
Perhaps this is what you want"
he cried, as he stopped down to kiss
her.
She swung her right hand round
and struck him on the face. He stag
gered back for a moment There was
"a red flush which showed through the
tan of his cheek. Then he drew a lit
tie nearer to her, and before she could
escape had passed his long arm
around her body. ne drew her to the
chair placed by the side of the wall.
His left hand played with the knife
at his belt.
Marta. little sweetheart" he said,
mockingly, you must pay for that
blow. Don't be afraid" he went on,
as he drew the knife across his leath-
er breeches. "a little scratch across
your cheek, SOL It is but the brand
of your master. love token from
Jose. Steady. COW. littie Maverick"
The girl struggled violently, but
Jose was strong; such brawls were