The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-08-25

by morning and the Amorys-" he
paused uncertainty.
The Amorys will fight their own
battles! finished Amory obstinately.
III Ritch had sent his own car
mad come himself-would you have
gone with him." demanded Campbell
in an ugly tone. J
Very likely the flight would have
proved more attractive to u.s."
sneered Mr.. Amory. !
Silence followed. Then came a
clatter Of shoes on the stones. who
Is that?" asked Amory sharply while !
the women held breath.
"Adios, senor!" shrilled Marta's
voice, and they knew that she was
fleeing with the faithful Pedro.
Barbara had Joined her uncle and |
aunt and the three stood in a little
group at the edge Of the veranda. A
dim light from the hall showed them !
standing in stiff opposition to the bur.
ly young mine owner who had been
their enemy.
Suddenly something flashed in the
lamplight and the 'Amorys WINGED to
ffnd themselves staring into Q pair
of long. blue-nosed guns held in the
muscular hands of Mr. Gordon Camp
bell.
Hands up" he ordered sharply,
and, believe me. I mean every word
Of IT." he snapped When they had
'obeyed dazedly, Amory mutterins
threats of vengeance. Campbell con-
tinued: Mrs Amory and Miss Dare,
you will please walk down and get
into the car. You. Mr. Amory. will
hand over any guns you may have
thanks Now, Amory, just hustle
those bundles into the tonneau and
take your seat beside me. Got any
cats and dogs you went along-no?
Well, here's hoping you come back
again some day" The machine trem-
bled and then shot forward into the
night, Daniel Amory grumbling at the
bonds Campbell had knotted about his
wrists.
As they swept into the highway
there came rush of hoofs from the
east and the moonshine glittered on
the meager accouterments of the at
lacking cavalry There was a roar of
anger from the Mexicans as the ma
chine and its occupants disappeared
around bend in the road, and there
followed a clatter of hoofs and rat
Ting volleys of musketry.
Just in time" admitted Daniel Am
DRY sheepishly.
Campbell said nothing
Barbara holding her frightened
aunt in her strong. young arms, felt
that she hated Gordon Campbell for
the high-handed manner in which he
had saved their lives.
Campbell stopped the car and got
out and lighted the big searchlight at
the front. Then in broad, triangular
path of white light they went down
the hill.
There they could see the bridge still
stretching its wooden spans across
the black gorge.
Thank Cod" Campbell muttered
and his three captives. knowing that
a grave danger had been averted, felt
a sudden revulsion of feeling toward
Gordon Campbell. As they rounded
the shoulder of a hill glare OF light
from above showed them that theiI
home was in flames and their depart
ture had been none too soon.
Across the bridge that swayed un
der the weight of the heavy car ant
then on to solid ground again, they
turned west and mile after mile
curled from under the tires until a
last they could smell the salt savol
Of the Pacific.
Just as dawn was breaking behint
them Campbell turned in his seat ant
with a flash of his penknife severet
Amorys bonds.
, I'm sorry that ii was necessary
, Amory." he said brusquely, NOW
, perhaps the ladies would like refresh
! ments; you will find food In the luncl
!. hamper on the left side-and hot ant
cold drinks in the thermos bottles.
Amory opened the lunch hampe
and supplied the wants OF his wife an
niece. He passed several sandwiche
and a cup of coffee to his captor, Du
took nothing himself. He was feelinl
nightly ashamed Of himself and tn
part he had played.
When they reached rise OF groun
that showed the blue ocean sparkling
in the sunshine, while the wnit
walls of a peaceful town slumbere
at its edge. Gordon turned his gra
, eyes on Daniel Amory.
. Below us is a little town Of SAINT
, Ana. You will see three ships in tn
harbor flying the Star and Stripes
We will be safe aboard In half n
, hour"
, You are going, too?'
Campbell shook his head I'm q
!, ing back for a few days to finish u
nv affairs" He threw in the clutc
and the car started on its final lap Q
the journey.
At last came the moment to sa
! farewell to Campbell. The tw
| Amorys we're loud in their gratitude
81 am ashamed" murmured Bal
| bara Dare. looking adorable In ne
, | humility. IF you can ever forgiV
| our stupidity. I hope you VIII com
and see us and let US thank 20
again"
You are vers good" said CAM
, bell gravely "I'll come with plea
ure. There's something | snail as
, of you. Miss Dare.
Barbara hung her head under In
masterful look in his eyes and ne
. heart was beating unanimously. Sh
,,ax,, uaiI when that time al