Williams news., 1915-01-21
CHAPTER xxvHI.

CHAPTER xxvIII.
 The high pass and the ineurrectos were behind them now and the rolling plains of Agua Negra were at their feet. To the northeast the smoke ban ners of the Gadsden smelters lay like ribbons across the sky, and the line was not far away.
 Yet, as they came down from the mountains, Bud and Gracia fell silent and slackened their slashing pace. The time for parting was near. and part ings are always sad.
 But ten miles across the plain lay Gadsden and PhiI-Phil to whom Ora cia was promised. There had been no thoughts of him from the time they sat together under the horse-blankets waiting for the rain to pass until now that the dangers were virtually over, and but a short time more would place them beyond the reach of either ru- rales or rebels. Bud thought of the duty he owed his pardner, even though that pardner had played him false. Great as was his longing for Gracia. he could not forget that duty. Their companionship had been but thing to forget if he could, or at best he could only remember the sweetness of it. and must forget the dreams he had dreamed as he watched beside Gracia in the hills. He was taking her to Phil, and all else must be sacrificed for duty.
 Bud looked far out across the valley to where a train puffed in from the south, and the sight of it made him un- easy. He watched still as it lay at the station and, after prolonged stare in the direction of Agua Negra, he refined sharply to the north.
 "What is it?" asked Gracia, coming out of her reverie.
 "Oh, nothing" answered Bud, slump , ing down in his saddle. "I see the rail- road is open again-they might be somebody up there looking for us" You mean"
 "Well. say a bunch of rurales." :. He turned still farther to the north 7 as he spoke and spurred his jaded horse on Gracia kept her rGen be . side him, but he took no notice, ex. cept as he scanned the line with his bloodshot eyes. He was handbook ing man now, with a rough stubble ot beard on his face and sullen set to his jaw. As two horsemen rode out from distant Agua Negra he turned and glanced at Gracia.
 Seems like we been on the TUT ever since we left Fortuna" he sait with a rueful smile. Are you goot for just one more?
 What is it now?" she inquired pulling herself together with an effort Are those two men coming out tt meet us? Do you think they'd stoI us?"
 That's about our luck" returned Hooker But when we dip out of sigh in this swale here we'll turn north ant hit for the line.''
 "All right" she agreed. My horse is tired, but I'll do whatever you say Bud"
 She tried to catch his eyes at this hut he seemed lost in contemplation 0 the horsemen.
 "Them's rurales," he said at last "and heading straight for us-b, we've come too far to get caught nov Come on!" he added bruskly. and wei ganoping up the swale.
 For two miles they rode up tf wash, their heads below the level of u plain, but as Bud emerged at the mou' of the gulch and looked warily ov the cut bank he suddenly reached f. his rife and measured the distance the line.
 They was too foxy for me-" he mt tered, as Gracia looked over at tl approaching rurales. But can stal 'em off," he added. "so you go ahead
 "No!" she cried, coming out in op rebellion. Well, I won't leave you that's all!" she declared, as he turn to command her. "Oh, come alor Bud!" She laid an impulsive ha
 on his arm and he thrust his gun ba
 into the sling with thud.
 "An right" he said. Cant stop
 talk about it. Go ahead-and fay t
 hide of of that roan!"
 They were less than a mile from
 line, but the rurales had foreseen thu
 ruse in dropping into the gulch a
 had turned at the same time to int
 cept them. They were pushing tn
 fresh horses to the utmost now aero the open prairie. and as the TO
 Jagged and faltered in his stride B