The Holly chieftain., 1916-08-11

wanders Into the American mine
house, learns Of the murder, and Of
fers himself for death at the revenge
full Wilkes hands. Then he turns to
state the purpose Of his mission.
What mission is this, fatherf" It
was Marian who spoke.
my search for my lost Emerald
Bell" the padre replied. 1T is writ
ten, Many shall seek but 1t shall be
hidden from them"
He paused. sudden furry from Dor
othy meeting his ear. His hearing.
delicate as that Of the prairie dog,
which the Apaches say can hear the
bursting of the seed-pods in the bunch
grass in the spring.
At his words the girl had released
herself from Mrs. Fane's encircling
arm and was hurriedly loosening her
hair. which fell in sheeted flame over
her shoulders. Delving with trembling
hands in its golden masses. she took
from its resting place. secure alike
from sight and touch-the Emerald
Bell!
Take it-take I'll" she said sobbing-
ly. II wish we had never seen It! 1t
has brought nothing but evil fortune"
She thrust 1t into the trembling
hands Of the old man. Wilkes and
Kynaston saw the tears stream down
his cheeks. The blind do not weep
easily. They stood astonished.
"Out of the North it came. and out
of the North 1t has returned. Thanks
be to God for his mercies! His shrine
is no more empty. Evil fortune? 81,
senorita! It has been 80 since Monte
yuma gave it to Cortes and was killed.
"SiLce the great conquistador took
It and died. broken.hearted and dis
graced man; since Pedrarias took 1t
and was poisoned-so did it 60 until It
reached the resting place from which
the followers Of Zapata stole 1t. Nor
shall the Teniente Kynaston suffer.
Full proofs Of ownership shall be for
: varded from the shrine, that his name
may be cleared Of suspicion"
He broke OF, patting his recovered
treasure-even. they thought, talking
to It.
Nov indeed shall 60 south with
light heart My happiness would be
complete II could but see It, but that
10 not to be. What IL that noise, Sc
nores?" he exclaimed. ut sounds like
firing"
It was fring-a perfect feu de joie
IN the besieger's camp. They saw
furry. Men were running in and out
like ants in a hill.
They're either plannin' some more
ievilment," said Wilkes acidly. "or
else they're goin' to pull out. hope
it's the last"
Kynaston had not told Wilkes or
Dorothy of the startling news he had
heard while in Obispo's camp. In fact.
the excitement Of the morning had
almost driven It from his mind, and he
now hardly believed 1t could be pos.
sible that Villa would attempt such q
wild plan. But the sudden commotion
in the camp might have some connec-
ton with Villas attack. Columbus was
ess than forty miles away, and cou-
rier could have travelled the distance
since early morning. II 1t was really
war, he must rejoin his command at
once, and the women must be removed
from the clutches of these bandits at
all hazards. Without stopping to ex-
plain, he ran for the yard.
Here, where you goin', Kynaston?"
called Wilkes.
I'm going to take look at that
auto to see If 1t can run"
well, it can II a man can be FOUND
to- run it. What We you got in your
hsad?"
81 can run it If the engine is in good
ORDER" said Mrs. Fame quickly. "Oh,
Mr.. Kynaston, II you think we can
get away in it, let's waste no time!
Let's look at It; can show you what
to do. Comet"
They went to the shed, where she
showed him how to fill tank and radia-
tor. She stood over him explaining
the different stops while he tested the
engine. Grimy, dirty with oil and dust,
he worked like Trojan.
Suddenly something prompted him
to turn. He found Mrs. Fame gazing
fxedly at him.
Its all right" she said abruptly.
Il know it all. heard Dorothy and
know"
'What?"
He flushed uneasily under her eyes.
Il know about the card game. and