The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1915-01-07

Sab SaNhNA
wouldn't melt in her mouth. and for a
while ! actually contemplated doing
her the kindness or tipping you over
into the drink. SOS she could lavish
her tender affections on a regular guy
someone able to appreciate her-mean.
Ing me. OF course. And FIRST thing I
know. she ups and points a gun at my
head and tips me overheard. and then
makes a pretty bonfire out OF my
sailboat. And all the excuse you can
produce is that she's crazy In the
head! Well. who said she wasn't7
Any woman who would consent to
elope with you Ia a ht subject for a
commission de lunatico inquirendo, all
right"
III you inflicted any such monologue
as that on Judith" retorted Mr.. Law,
Il don't blame her for trying "a slay
you, and I'm sorry | interfered."
There's gratitude for you." Mr..
Barcus remarked bitterly. IL risk my
life for you, and you won't ever let
me talk about it,"
1T isn't your talking mind-it's
the everlasting noise you make" Mr..
Law explained. 'Besides-listan!"
For a moment the two maintained
attentive silence.
A silkcn whisper troubled the al.
lence, a little fiutter OF sound from far
across the waters. Gradually II gath.
cred volume, became recognizable as
the lisp OF cautious oars.
I'm going away from here" Mr..
Barcus announced %guardedly. and gath.
cred Ills legs under him preparatory
to rising.
Half n second" Alan Law insisted.
rising In turn and grasping the other
by the arm. They've got to land
haven't they?-and leave the boat
while they look for US. Well, then.
what's to prevent our hiding In the
dunes and"
In the lei breath. Look out!" he
shrieked.
With no warning whatever, and
within nifty feet OF them. Il CHASTITY
fare broke out In full blaze on tho
surface OF the water. revealing the
shape OF n dory which had drawn In
unseen under cover OF tho profound
darkness. and at the same time dis.
covering to Its occupants the two
atartled figures on the beach.
Before they could stir the weird
light glimmered on a polished eapon
In the bow OF the boat, n spiteful
tongue OF reddish flame spat out. a
bullet sang between Messrs. Law and
Barcus. aud with a sad thud OF disap-
pointment buried itself In the sands OF
the waye-eaten blum behind them.
Like twin automatons stirred to ac-
ton by the report, the two turned and
pelted OF down the beach. 70 escape
that deadly area OF illumination.
Other shots sped after them. but
none was 30 we'll aimed. and presently,
finding n break In the blum, they
swung of into the grateful shelter OF
the night.wrapped dunes.
Meantime the dory had grounded on
the beach. and It's several occupants
four or five of them. all men. appar-
ently-jumping out. set of in pursuit
OF the fugitives. following the tracks
In the sand.
Tho blackncss OF the night, how.
ever. conspired with the savage laby.
rinth OF the dunes to save Alan and
his companion.
Within another five minutes-while
still the pursuit fioundered and bias.
phemed at random n round quarter.
mile TO the south-Mr. Law and Mr.,
were noiselessly squlrming on
their bellies. like two snakes In the
beach.grass, up the back OF o ten.foot
blum. And presently from It's brow
they looked down on the spot where
the dory lay, only It's bow out OF water,
Its stern afoat. under armed guard.
Very slowly and stealthily Alan got
his feet and swung back over his
shoulder a heavy club OF driftwood.
A match spluttered beside the dory
and famed in the still air, relieving
with its reddish glow q bronzed and
evil visage.
The guard pufed fast and had the
tobacco we'll aglow when the sky look
OF his trustfulness and fell
upon him like an avalanche.
simultaneously Alan and Barcus de.
the face OF the blum In two
miniature landslides. dug themselves
out, and by the time the dazed and
iisarmed guard had sufficiently recov.
sred to cry out for help the dory was
hundred yards of the beach and
excellent time In the direction
of that lonely green light.
The commonest precautions, how.
aver. made them pause and rest upon
heir oars while yet = little way from
heir goal.
Only an Ominous silence rewarded
he utmost efforts OF their straininR
no sound was audible other
han the gentle whine OF an ungreased
block; nothing was visible beyond the
glare OF that almost stationary
green lantern.
What thinkY" Barcus INQUIRED In
dubious undertone.
mo telling" Alan replied In the
'ame manner. "All a chance"