The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-08-25
REE YET CAPTIVE.
ey cLARIssA MAcKIE.


ling and the dessert had been a
tesuue assemblage of half-stewed
Eits.
Mr. Amory pushed aside his plate
disgust and touched his lips to
. coffee.
aMud," he muttered, tragically.
q am afraid that Marta is obsessed
the general uneasiness," fluttered
gentle little wife. when Pedro |
ourht the mail he announced that |
company of rebels WAS on the way |
attack the mines. and the woman
terrified"
aAs we all are" frankly admitted
l.ir niece. Barbara Dare. Haven't
been sleeping with one eye open
At least l have-and when heard
hat Villas army was on the way to
.n vados my heart actually turned
implicitly overt"
Mr.. Amory laughed.
nFYe Bobs! And I've been count.
y on you as my risht.hand man II
Nav attack the mine"
barbara colored beautifully and her
yes flashed.
.Oh Uncle Dan, Of course II 1t came
ovn to actual defense of our lives,
VERY bit of fear would leave me At
nce'
well, for my part, I'd rather take
.ood advice and leave San Vados
khile there is time to do it grace
mlly. Mr.. Ritch says when the crit
caI moment comes we must drop
Everything and fly in the motor that
he will send from town. How hate
This Mexico," Mrs Amory arose and
clumsy-footed Marta came in to re-
move the cloth.
In the veranda of the adobe house
the three sat and watched the stars
pricking out in the deep blue sky
They were very silent; perhaps each
che was weighing the gravity of the
situation that confronted them after
many months of false alarms.
Suddenly out of the silence there
came the distant purr Of motor
coming over the Ledro bridge.
Amory tossed his cigar over the
railing and rose to his tall height.
81 rather think that's Ritch's auto
mobile" he said.
"You won't go, Uncle DAM" asked
Barbara eagerly.
"Of course, we will go, Bobs." in
terrupted her aunts voice sharply.
"You should be thankful that Mr..
|Ritch has provided means fer us
to reach the coast and take ship to
San Diego. I'm going to get my
things-I've had them packed for
three weeks-and you had better get
together anything you especially
treasure. We shall never see Mexico
again, If I have my way!"
Are you really going, Uncle DAM?
urged Barbara. ct course. ! know
that you've had everything closed up
at the mines and-oh, here he
comes!" she sighed impatiently. His
lights are cut, too"
Something black doomed out of the
darkness Of the drive and a large
motor car halted at the steps. A man
alighted and came INTO the veranda.
"Mr. Amcry?" he asked in q crisp
authoritative tone.
YES"
"Mr. Ritch asked me to take your
people te the coast. The Ritchs have
barely escaped with their lives and
Mr.. Ritch is slightly wounded. They're
halfway to the coast now. think
we can overtake them If We hurry"
I'VE had about decided to stay ant
fight 1t out" hesitated Mr.. Amcry.
Fight it out with what?" demand
ed the ether. How many men car
you depend on? Ritch thought HI
could depend on 200 and every blamed
greaser Joined the rebel forces ant
chased him of his own plantation.
believe in going while the going's
good!"
That's excellent advice. Mr. -
BY Jove, I ought to know you. YOU
voice is familiar" apclogized Amory
MY name is Campbell. You may
remember me as your nearest neigh
Dor on the scuth--owner CT the Gao
tus mine-ard sort of foe. ! suppose,
he laughed ruefully.
"Canpbell-Campbell. Of the Gao
tus mine-why, we can't be under Oh
legations to you!" chortled Amor!
with his customary hot temper.
'Ycu don't mean to say that you't
let the mere matter OF a lost lawsui
stand between you and the lives o
your family" asked the other In
credulously.
Perhaps Mr.. Amory's family would
prefer to lose their lives than to hole
them under obligation to Mr.. Gordon
Campbell!" interpolated Barbar'
warmly. 81 would rather remain here
Uncle Dam" she said firmly.
Mrs. Amory fluttered onto the veran
da, her arms full Of bundles. I'm JUS
in time" she gasped. "Oh, is 1t MI
Ritch's chauffeur-no?" As the young
man took the bags from her grasp
1T is Mr.. Gordon Campbell, OF th'
Cactus nine" said Amory grimly. 1H'
has come to convey us to the coast
my dear. Bobs and I prefer to re
main here. How about you, sally:
Mrs. Amory. recollecting the bli
terness that had followed Campoeii
winning of the long contested la"
suit. stified her fears and leaned
against her husbands protecting arm
of course my place is by your SIDE
Daniel" she whimpered.
Campbell broke the silence ina
followed Mrs. Amory's words
DO you eople mean to say ths
you'd stay here and be shot I'M rathe
Than norr,;. -. N drive YOU Il