The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-08-09


into the trap which had been set for
him. Don Ramon was waiting inside.
with twenty Mexicans, and all their
rines were leveled uncomfortably
upon his stomach.
Don Ramon removed his hat and
made q sweeping bow.
"Senor." he said, welcome. win
you accompany me upon visit to our
friend, Don Luis house?"
Il shall b. delighted" answered
Hale. when do we START"
AT once, Senior Hale" answered
the youth, and sent for the horses.
which had been tied In q clump Of
brentwood three hundred yards dis
tAnt. When they had arrived Don
Ramon held Hale's stirrup, until he
was In the saddle: then he mounted
his own horse, and accompanied BY
the Mexicans, they clattered away to-
ward the hacienda.
The old crone was waiting for them
with coffee. Don Ramon looked
round briskly.
where is Senor,ra Leonoraf" he
demanded
"She is gone!" muttered the crone.
she rode out toward Sonora early
this morning and has not returned"
Don Ramon ground his teeth.
when will she return?" he asked,
and the old woman burst into storm
Of excited jabbering. which Hale
could not follow.
When she had ended the Mexican
turned to him.
"Senor." he began. quietly enough,
but gradually working himself into a
fury as he proceeded, you are doubt
less glad that Senorita Leonora has
escaped But you do me an injustice,
for my love for her is too deep to per-
NIT me to do her injustice. My wish
is only to shield her in these troublous
times that have come upon US. am
particularly anxious to protect her
against you"
Don't trouble yourself" said Hale
CURLY.
1T will be no trouble" said Don Ra-
mon, snarling. He turned to one Of
his men. String a rope over the
tulip tree" he said.
The man ran for a rope and pres
emily came back with it. He flung it
over the tree and tied one end into a
moose. The old crone watched from
the veranda
Hale looked at the rope and at the
Mexican. In that second he was cal
culating his chances. He was un-
armed; he could, at the best, hope for
nothing but death by the bullets of the
rebels instead of by hanging. Should
he plead for his life, or for an easier
exit?
"Senor Hale" he said, though you
view death coolly, life Is, undoubted.
ly. as sweet to you as to any other
man. You have a chance to save
yourself As l have said, do not
want to harm you'll only wish to pro-
tect my kinswoman You shall 60
free and unharmed-if you consent to
marry the Sonora here"
Damn you, go on with your hang.
ing" shouted Hale.
The Mexican looked toward the
rope and spoke a word. Two men
stepped forward and seising Hale. be.
gan leading him toward the tree. The
moose was placed round his neck. Two
others seized the loose end Of the
rope. They looked to Don Ramon
for the signal.
The old woman rushed forward,
screaming frantically. fell on her
knees before Don Ramon, and plead.
ed with him. Don Ramon did not
give the expected signal.
"Senor," he said to Hale, surely
you will not disappoint my excellent
kinswoman by refusing her suit!
Your chivalry alone should prohibit
you from 30 ungentlemanly an action.
Come Senior. l give you thirty min.
utes to decide. Speak with her in
privacy. listen to her plea, consider
whether life be sweet, or whether
death be sweeter." He came nearer,
she Is eighty-four" he whispered
"She won't live long. Senior Hale,
shall hang you greatly against my
will. for the American governments
arm IL long. Be wise!"
He issued Q sharp order and turned
on his heel. The soldiers forced Hale
into the house and led him to the re-
ception room. The old crone was con.
Quoted thither and the men withdrew
taking their posts at the door. Hale
and the old lady were left alone to.
gether
They looked at each other. He saw
the wrinkled face, the bleared eyes
half visible beneath the heavy lace
mantilla which she had thrown over
her head. She WA singularly like her
niece in build. perhaps q warning OF
what the Senorita would become in
her old age The caricature was hor
rible, and 1t made Hale shudder with
disgust. To buy his freedom In such
. way was impossible.
'Senor!" said q soft voice near him
Hale started and turned around. II
was the voice Of the Senorita. He
heard a low laugh behind him again
and swung back toward the crone.
Before him stood the Senorita. the
mantilla raised and thrown back. the
bowed figure Strengthened, the flesh
clear and youthful and firm under the
painted wrinkles, the black hair just
discernible beneath the wig Of white
YOU" stammered Hale.
"Si, Senior. Do you wish to change
your decisionT she murmured de-