Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1916-09-03

fire the four American cowsboys ana substitute Mexicans. The boys rode over the Fl Key Pass and joined the army.
 The happy bridegroom was married at the little white church, June 2O, to Sue Phillipps, and all the way west he told her of the roomy, comfortable ranch house lying in the fertile val ley below.
 Tom had sent on big supply or fireworks and flags from New York.
 "We'll shoot rockets so high they can see them at Fort Lomar," he said.
 At the station he hired a car to take them over. It was late and he had not let Juan know of his arrival. Just as they were leaving, couple of soldiers came up the broad steps and Tom shot out a surprised hail at his old boys. Sue waited impatiently while he talked to them in low tones. When he came back, he looked oddly, not like the gOod-natured Tom she had known, but tense, angry man who meant business. They started away with the big box of fireworks strapped to the running board, and a mile down from Muddy Ford Tom halted the car.
 "Im going up to the ranch alone,' he told Sue, holding her in his arms and kissing her. eff I ain't back for you in two hours-that'll be nine e'clock-you set off this bunch of sky rockets one after the other, and hop for town in that car as fast as the boy can take you."
 Sue waited, his last kiss fresh on her lips, her eyes fixed on the sil- houette of trees outlined against the clear, fair moonlight. They marked the river course where Tom stode on up to the ranch. And awhile she turned back from the low shack to find the boy whistling softly to himself as he knelt on the ground, making lit tie mound to rest the rockets against.
 "It's two hours," he told her. 'Here goes the first.'
 "They'll see that clear over to the fort" Sue whispered.
 As the rocket scared into the night sky, Tom lay on his back, trussed like Thanksgiving turkey, beaten and bruised, gagged and bleeding, outside the ranch house door. Inside Juan and his men were drinking, singing and bowling derisive yells at the cursed Americans, and they planned the death of Tom Madigan at dawn.
 Once shadow stole out and stood beside him. A little slippered toe touched his cheek, and Clarita laughed at him.
 "You have happy bridal homecom- ing, yes, senor! Where your wife, huh? You going to celebrate your Fourth fine, yes?'
 ''That's all" the boy said when the last rocket went up. Wed better hustle now like he said.''
 Halfway the boy slowed down and listened.
 "Hear 'em coming"-he grinned-4 "the soldiers"
 They waited till the detachment rode up, eager, seriOus-faced young sters in khaki most of them, with Tod Mason at their head. Tod, who had been in every good scrimmage and chase since the campaign opened; Lieutenant Tod, as the rank and file called him proudly.
 "We'll get him all right, Mrs. Madi- gan,' he promised. Don't you worry. You can ride on to that hill and wait for daylight. When you see the flag come back"
 Tom thought he was dreaming when he felt someone behind him, crawling by inches until his bonds were cut, and revolver thrust in his aching hand. Then came the attack, the sur prise of Juan and his men, Claritas high-pitched cries above it all, and at last, as daylight broke over the val ley, the sudden quiet that follows vic- tory.
 "Fifteen prisoners and two Mexican casualties" reported the lieutenant. Haul down the flag, boys."
 And when Sue rode up she found Tom mounted on stump, leading 'The Star Spangled Banner"
 Boys" called Tom, "my wife, God bless her! Just tune up that chorus again before you ride on. It sounds mighty good to me. I don't believe in war, but I'm with you on this." Copyright, 1916. by the Mcclure Newspa-
 per SyndiCaiai