The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-08-23
FREE YET CAPTIVE
BY cLARlSSA MAcKIE,


1t had been a miserable dinner-the
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.
1 am afraid that Marta is obsessed
BY the general uneasiness," fiuttered
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"
AS we all are" frankly admitted
their niece. Barbara Dare. Haven't
we been sleeping with one eye open
at least I have-and when l heard
| that Villas army was on the way to
San Vados my heart actually turned
completely overt"
Mr.. Amory laughed
File Bobs! And I've been count
ing on you as my right-hand man IL
they attack the mine"
Barbara colored beautifully and her
eyes flashed.
oh. Uncle Dan, Of course II it came
down to actual defense of our lives.
every bit Of fear would leave me at
once"
well. for my part. ia rather take
good advice and leave San vados
while there is time to do It grace
fully. Mr.. Rftch says when the crit
fcal moment comes we must drop
everything and lily in the motor that
he win send from town. How hate
this Mexico!" 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
prfckfng 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 Q motor
coming over the Ledro bridge.
Amory tossed hts cigar over the
railing and rose to his tall heiRht.
Il rather think that's Ritch's auto
mobile" no said.
You won't 60, Uncle Danr" asked
Barbara eagerly.
"Of course. we viii 60. Bobs," in
terrupted her aunt's voice sharply.
You should be thankful that Mr..
Ritch has provided q means fer M
to reach the coast and take . shin 10
San Diego. I'm going to get my
had them packed for
three weeks-and you had better get
together anything you especially
treasure. We shall never see Mexico
asAin, II l have my way!"
Are you really going, Uncle DAMP
urged Barbara. "Cf course. I know
hat you've had everything closed mn
It the mines and-oh. here he
;omes!" she sighed impatiently. His
lights are out. too"
Something black doomed out Of tho
isrkness Of the drive and a laree
motor car halted 8 the steps. A man
LIGHTED and came into the versnda.
"Mr. Amory?.T he asked in q crisp.
authoritative tome,
"Yes."
mt Ritch asked me to take your
'eople tc the coast. The Ritchs have I
'arely escaped with their lives and I
dr. Ritch fs slightly wounded. They're {
aif-way to the coast now. think |
70 can overtake them II We hurry" q
We had about decided to stay and
sht 1t out" hesitated Mr.. Amory. I
Fight 1t out with what?" demand. y
the ether. How many men can 4
GU depend on? Ritch thought he
ould depend on 200 and every blamed A
reaser Joined the rebel forces and n
based him of his own plantation. n
elieve In going while the goins's b
ood!" =
That's excellent advice. Mr..
y Jove, ought to know you, your a
oice Is familiar" apologized Amory. n
MY name Is Campbell. You NAV a
'member me as your nearest neigh. I.
'r on the south-owner Ct the Gao. n
IS mine-ard scrt of foe. I suppose" o.
laughed ruefully.
acknowledgement, of the Gao. =,
8 mine-why. we can't be under oh. n
cations to you!" chortled Amory W
It'll his customary het temper. a,
You don't mean to say that you'd .,
the mere matter of a lost lawsuit
and between you and the lives of A
ur famfly?" asked the other in. h,
edulously. W
Perhaps Mr.. Amory's family would hi
efer to lose their lives than to hold
EN- under obligation to Mr. Gordon
mpbell!" interpolated Barbara in
'rmiy. i would rather remain here, m
lcle Dan." she said firmly. an
Mrs. Amory fluttered onto the veran. tn
her arms full Of bundles. I'm lust
Time" she gasped. "Oh, is It Mr.. IA,
tch's chauffeur-no!" As the young Az
N took the bags from her grasp.
1t Is Mr.. Gordon Campbell. Of the h.
ctus mine," said Amory grimly. HE hu
come to convey US to the coast, on
dear. Bobs and I prefer to re. an
In here. How about you, Sally? AZ,
Mrs. Amory. recollecting the bit.
ness that had followed Campbelrs bel
ming of the long contested law. urt
{, sti1ed her fears and leaned Of
inst her husbands protecting arm.
Or course my place is by your side. ma
fnt IL 1