The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1915-06-26

something about the way she talked
| that pulled him over, that made hin
want to do what she said, and ye
some secret, hidden voice was Away:
crying: "Beware!" He was convinced
now that she had never been a party
to treachery; no, nor even wished
him ILL.,
She was very beautiful too, tn tht
twilight, and when she drew nearer
he moved away. for he was afraid sh<
would sway him from his purpose Bu
now she was waiting for some an
swe-some word from him. though
And yet he knew what II was.
She wanted him to steal away with
her In the evening and ride for tbs
border-and Phil That was what sh<
always wanted, no matter what she
said. and now she was calling him g
coward.
| Sure them bronoo<lders are brave,
he said In vague defense; but there's
difference between being brave and
foolish. And man might be brave fol-
himself and yet be afraid for other
people"
How do you mean9. she asked.
We'll" he said, y might be willing
to go out and fight thousand Of them
insurrectos with one hand. and at the
! same time be afraid TO take you along
Or might"
ooh. then you will 60, won't you p
she cried. clasping him by the hand.
You will, won't you? I'm not afraid
NO." answered Bud. drawing his
hand away. that's Just what won't
do! And I'll tell you why. That coun'
try up there is full Of rebels-the low
est kind there are. 1t Just takes one
shot to lay me out or cripple one OF
our horses. Then I'd have to make a
fight for it-but what would happen
to your"
I'D fight tool" spoke up Gracia
resolutely. I'm not afraid"
NO" grumbled Bud. you don't
know them rebels. You've been shut
up III q AOucC u4l LILO IAAAlC yo0 Va
been through what have in the last
six months you'd understand what
mean"
III Phil we're here, he'd take mel"
countered Gracia, and then Bud lost
his head.
YES" he burst out, that's Jest
what's the matter with the crazy fool!
That's Jest why he's up across the line
now q holler1ng for me to save his
girl! He's brave. Is he? Well. why
don't he come down, then, and save
you himself? Because he's afraid to!
He's afraid of getting shot or going up
against Manuel del Rey. BY grab. it
makes me tired the way you people
talk! II he'd done what told him to
in the first place he wouldn't have got
into this jackpot"
"Oh MY" exclaimed Gracia, aghast.
why, what is the matter with you?
And what did you tell him to do?"
Il told him to mind his own bust
ness" answered Hooker bluntly.
"And what did he say"
HE said he'd try anything-oncei"
Bud spat out the phrase vindictively,
for his blood was up and his heart was
full Of bitterness.
"Oh dear!" faltered Gracia And
80 you do not think that Phil is
brave?"
He's brave to start things" sneered
Bud, "but not to carry 'em through"
For q moment Gracia huddled up
against a pillar, her hand against her
face, as II to ward off a blow. Then
she lowered it slowly and moved re-
luctantly away.
Il must go now" she said. and Bud
did not offer to stay her. for he saw
what his unkindness had done.
Il am sorry!" she added pitifully.
but he did not answer. There was
nothing that he could say now.
In O moment of resentment, driven
to evaporation by her taunts. he had
forgotten his pledge to his pardner
and come between him and his girl.
That which he thought wild horses
could not draw from him had flashed
out in a fit of anger-and the damage
was beyond amendment. for what he
had said was the truth.
CHAPTER XIII.
There are two things, according to