The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1915-05-29


raising his hat.
Back In Texas, in his social world,
it was considered almost unman!y to
thus salute the ladies. So he stood
there, his big sombrero pulled down
over his mop of light hair, gazing at
her without a blink.
Perhaps it was not altogether as
friendly a scrutiny Of her charming
features as Gracia expected, for he
remembered what she had done to his
pardner, but if she seused such q rare
thing as disapproval from a young
man, she was too excited to show it.
Her lips trembled and she looked back
furtively, meanwhile drawing him into
an alcove by the slightest twitch OF
his sleeve.
Don't talk too loud" she whis-
pered My mother Is listening from
the room-but for the love of God, tell
me, where is P1il?"
Il don't know" answered Bud, try
ing to lower his big voice to a boudoir
softness; "he joined the ruraies and.
twas ordered north-that's all know"
Yes, yes, to be sure; but haven't
you heard from him?"
She seemed to be all Impotence to
snatch his news and fly with it, but
Bud was in no such hurry. And SO
far was he from being carpet knight
that he Immediately raised his voice
to its normal bass. 1t was all right
for Phil and his kind to talk by signs
and whispers, but that was not his
style.
Not since he went away" he said.
"IIe left ME q little note, then, say
ing"
Saying what?" she demanded
breathlessly.
well, saying that he had enlisted
to keep from being executed, and
that's about ALL"
And not a word about me?"
YES" admitted Bud; "he said he'd
try to put I'D with ton account Of
you-and-"
"What?" she entreated, taking him
beseechingly by the coat.
We'll" stammered Hooker. shifting
his feet and looking away, che told me
to Kinder take care Of you-while he
was gone"
"Ah!" she breathed, still standing
close to him. "and will you do it?'
Il reckon So" said Bud, ''if we have
any trouble"
But I'm in trouble now!" she cried.
I'm watched-I can't get away-and
Pm afraid"
Afraid of what? ?" he demanded.
"Of him!" she answered, her voice
breaking; "of Manuel del Rey!"
We'll" replied Hooker bluntly, i've
got nothing to do with that can't
interfere in your love affairs-but II
they's war and they try to take the
town, you can count on me-"
"Oh, thank you," she said, bowling
satirically. And do you expect a
war?@
mot with that bunch Of hombres!"
returned Bud, waving disparaging
hand toward the noise of the shouting.
At this she broke down and laughed.
Evidently she was not so fearful Of
discovery after all.
You forget. sir" she said. that L
am a Mexican!"
Then. as he failed to show any signs
Of contrition, she changed her mood
again.
But waltz" she ran on, her eyes
flashing. Perhaps we are not SO eager
to defend our government when We
have new one every year. But II the
men who are gathering In Chihuahua
invade our country, you will find that
as Sonorans those men will fight to-
the death.
You laugh because you do not I'M
derstand. But why should we So
norans fight side by side with the
federals and rurales? Are they not
the soldiers Of Diaz, who have simply
changed to another master? That
Manuel del Rey was last year hunting
! down Maderistas in the hills; now he
is fighting for Madero! And tomor-
row? Who can say?"
She shrugged her shoulders scorn-
fully, and Hooker perceived that she
was In earnest In her dislike of the
dashing captain, but prudence warned
him to say nothing If he would escape
| being drawn into the quarrel.
mol" she went on, after an expec-
tant pause, 'let the rurales pursue
these bandits-they are hired for that
purpose! But II Orozco and Salazar
join this ladron, Bernardo Bravo, and
seek to capture our towns, then. Senior
Americana, you will see real war and
men fighting to the death! All, you
laugh again-you are a Texan and
Judge US Sonorans by the cowardly
! Chihuahuans-but it is the truth. And