Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1915-07-20
'ANsANsAN>1S oovTight. 1915, by OTIS ,. WOODY

the girls futile struggles. Jose's arm
was already raised with the knife in
his hand, when a sudden blow brought
a yell of pain to his lips. The knife
fell gathering to the floor. He sprane
up, his eyes red with fury. A man
had entered the door from behind
and was standing within a few feet
of him, man with long. pale face
| dark eyes, travel-stained. and with the
air OF fugitive. A food of incoherent
abuse streamed from Jose's lips. He
| stopped for the knife Marta threw
herself upon him. The two cowboys
who had been dancing suddenly inter
vened. The girl screamed.
1T was Jose's fault" she cried
Jose was mad. He would have killed
met"
Craig faced them all with sudden
courage.
LAS l came in," he explained
that man had his knife raised to stab
the girl. You don't allow that sort
of thing, do you, here?"
The two cowboys linked their arms
through Jose's and led him off toward
the door.
THE strangers right, Jose" one OF
them insisted You can't carve a girl
up in company"
The girl clutched at Craig's arm.
sit down here. please" she begged
Wait"
She disappeared for a moment and
came back with glass full of wine
which she set down on the table.
Drink this" she invited. "And
thank you for saving me-"
Craig emptied the glass eagerly.
II just happened to be the first to
see him. he said. They aren't quite
wild enough to allow that here, are
they?"
"Quien sabe? The girls do not like
met The men do not care" she de
clared. Jose took me by surprise
though, or { would have killed him
But who are you. and where did you
come FROM"
Il have Just crossed the border, he
replied.
She nodded understandings.
Were they after your"
yes! with a warrant for my ar
rest!"
She patted his hand
You are safe now" she whispered
I'VE care that much for a United
States warrant" and she snapped heI
slim fingers. you shall stay with us
for a time. We will take care of you
He sighed YEARLY
Back in the camp. spirit of devilry
had entered into Long Jim and his
mates. A tactless remark on the par
of one of the deputies had set alight
the smoldering fire of resentment
which the cowboys had all the time
felt against them. At word from
Long Jim they were taken by surprise
and tied to the wagon.
The deputies spluttered with rage
and fear. Shot rained about them ant
the canvas of the wagon was riddled
Suddenly they all paused to listen
| The sound of a horses slow footfai
was heard close at hand. Presently
| Quest appeared out of the shadows
carrying Lenora in his arms. Laura
rushed forward.
"Lenora!" she cried. rs she hurt?'
Quest laid her tenderly upon the
| ground.
I'VE had a spill at the bridge he
explained, quickly. Il don't know
whether Craig loosened the supports
He got over all right, but it went dowr
under Lenora. who was following, ant
I had to get her out of the river
Where's the professor"
The professor came ambling from
| the tent where he had been lying. Ht
stopped at once over Lenora's still I'm
conscious form.
Dear mel" he exclaimed. "Dea
mel Come, GOMEZ"
He passed his hand over her sid'
! and made a brief examination.
-Four ribs broken" he pronounced
1T will be a week. at any rate, before
we are able to move her. Nothing
more serious, so far as can see, Mr.
Quest, but she'll need rest and all th'
comfort we can give her"
Say, that's too badl" Long Jim de
clared. IF you've got to stay arount
for a time, though, you can have thu
tents. We boys can double up any
where, or bunk on the ground. That's
right, amt it?" he added, turning
around to the cowboys.
There was a little grunt of acquies
cence They carried Lenora to tn
largest of the tents and made her al
comfortable as possible.