The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-12-20

tore down the road like fire.
Hernandez increased his speed to |
twenty miles-to twenty-fve-but the |
horse tore on before him. Annette |
was riding like the wind-but she had |
lost control.
Joe, in the car behind, leaped to |
his feet and tried to force his way |
from the car. Let me out" he cried.
struggling; 81 got her into this, and
I'll get her out"
Hernandez turned to the Brute.
Hold him." he commanded. And the
Brute obeyed.
Inez Castro now was on her feet.
'Look-look-look," she cried. "the
horse is mad-he'll kill her-look-
ah-ah-"
1t was all over In one final burst
of frenzy the horse had leaped high
in the air, and come down on all tours.
not on the solid road, but in the ditch.
Annette was flung violently from her
steed-and struck the ground with a
thud. The horse, freed Of his burden,
sped on-up the road-sped on.
Hernandez stopped his car. Joe
leaped out and ran to Annette.
She's killed." he said.
Hernandez followed him. If so, we
cannot help it," he returned calmly.
IF she's killed, did it, you black.
guard" cried Joe, remorsefully.
Inez bent over the girl. She's not
dead" she said. shes very much
alive. She's only stunned"
Hernandez motioned to the Brute,
Garry her to the car" he commanded.
And the Brute again obeyed.
Now, slowly" commanded Inez of
, Hernandez, until l revive the girl"
They were in open country now
the community was but sparsely set
| tied Hernandez glanced warily from
side to side.
1--WE must make haste" he unused.
| taking a grass-grown road to the
right.
He stopped the car before house.
1t was an ordinary dwelling. There
was no sign of life about it. The
grass in the dooryard was a foot high.
Everything appeared unkempt. But
in the parlor window was sign: To
let, furnished. Hernandez stepped in
to the dooryard and peered into the
windows.
We'll let it Standardization a
short time" he said.
He forced the door and entered.
"All the comforts Of home" he said,
smiling, fetch in the girl"
Back in the city, Neal, off duty once
again, sought Annette at her hotel.
"She's gone again-alone," said Mrs
Hardin, "she would 60. She's SO rest
less she couldn't sit still"
Neal smiled. He was not worried
He got saddle horse and started
of in the direction taken by Annette.
Back in the deserted furnished
house. Hernandez still looked about
him.
I'VE can hide here till doomsday,'
he laughed, running water, too LOCI
here. Everything but food-every
thing. Look-yonder on the mantel-
even pen and ink. This place was
meant for u.s." He bowed low. "Ah
my charming friend Senorita ling
tom" he said to Annette who had re
covered consciousness and was star
t ing about her in establishment, "yo'
: have had a long sleep-and pleasan
1 dreams hope"
He drew down the shades an
!. switched on the light.
8 "See," he added. you have slep
till evening-pretty sluggard. AM
how is your good health. No bone
broken. That is WELL
r Annette did not answer. Suddenl
a she leaped to her feet.
"Joe," she cried, Joe Welcher-yo
I. here?'
/. Yes" returned Hernandez, agai
bowling, Joe is here-he has Away
g been herewith us. Joe is our goo
friend. We owe him much-much."
d He turned sneerins smile on We
cher. Annette uttered an exclamation
"Joe-Joe," she cried, lis it-true?
Q Joe turned away-his chest heavinl
Q his eyes upon the floor. Jaw, I'm n
e good" he muttered.
3. Never mind, Joe. fair one," sal
t. Hernandez, taking from his pocket
legal document already carefully pr
4, pared, I'VE have business at ham
It This document-you should real
know what 1t contains. It is in propt
z shape, assure you. A bit soiled pc
n haps, from long disuse in my brea
pocket-but we'll worded. Look-it
d. complete. It is even acknowledge
<. before United States consul in Ce
trail Observation-Disclosures by 20
Dr. fair one"
1T is not" snapped Annette.
id Fair Inez here went on HERNIA
TX DEE. signed it Annette Ilington-tl
ID consul was quite satisfied that 81
d. nature she lacks the cleverne
lie called forgery. And your signatu
~ may be on record somewhere-wl
lie knows. Comparisons are odious. L
ut us therefore be complete. Take
hand a pen, my pretty. Sign yo
lie name, over this erasure-opposite tn
is SEAL"
e. III never sign." returned Annette
n You will sign" said Hernand
evenly, "and you will hand over to
lis all the evidence you have upon 20
he person. Sign"
to NO." said Annette.
"Well and good" went on HERNIA
ed DEE in honeyed accents. Beast
:. hold her firm Disobey and the la
a for yours" Hernandez took from |
~ ~ coat pocket a piece of cord. He ii
the ends together.