The Benson signal., 1916-07-15
CHAPTER I.
A Really Nice Young Man.

A Really Nice Young Man.
The purring of disordered motor
made Kynaston look up.
He had not heard motor car since
he had come to this particular section
OF the Mexican border, now long six
months ago.
The work in suppressing gun run
ners had not differed here from that
along other sections of the line.
The days, which seemed to be
weeks long, were spent in fruitless
patrols along the hillside.
"Sir!"
Kynaston looked up YEARLY. He
had ridden forty miles that day on the
strength of an order from headQuar-
terS that told him to investigate a re-
port that American citizens were ship
ping arms across the border to Villa
by means Of an aerOplane. The fact
that it was obviously ridiculous meant
nothing. An order was an order, and
he was beginning to be very tired Of
the forced inaction.
Across the border he could see from
time to time, from the vantage ground
OF his camp, bodies of the Villista cav
airy riding the line, prepared to wei.
come any gun runner who should
smuggle arms across to them.
He we'll knew that arms were being
smuggled across, and that every fed
eral officer knew it, too; but that the
matter was one that could not be con.
trOlled except by martial law.
'Sir!" said the sergeant again.
We'll, sergeant, what is it?"
There's a machine broke down up
the road bit and there's no one in it
but couple Of ladies. I seen it come
down the hill over the San Pedro an
hour ago an then little while ago l
seen a man ride back on pony. l
don't know what's up"
Rising wearily. Kynaston picked up
his revolver and made his way along
the rOck-strewn path from his camp
to the little trail that led due north to
Gods country" or due south to rev.
olution and anarchy-whichever way
the traveller was inclined.
Four hundred yards away from his
picket line, where the horses stamped
fretfully, he saw the machine, it's en-
gine chugging away like the engine of
a tethered torpedo boat. By the ma
chine there knelt in the red New Mex
leo dust a gray-coated girl whose gold
en- hair, escaped from it's veil, caught
the direct rays of the sun and radiated
them like gold.
She did not hear his approach. 1t
was not till he said quietly, "Can be
OF any service to you?" that she
sprang to her feet facing him.
I'm Lieutenant Kynaston. in charge
OF the local border PATROL" continued
the young man. "Your mishap was
reported to me, and / came down at
once to see If could help you"
"Yes, if you have such thing as an
automobile doctor in your camp" the
girl replied whimsically. 81 was about
to give up in disgust and come to your
camp for aid"
What seems to be the matter?"
asked Kynaston, STOPPING and looking
under the machine with an interest
that was none the less by reasons of
his exhaustive ignorance Of the ma
chine. IF it has collie or just ring
bone forming I can possibly assist
YOU If it is anything more serious
doubt ~,ou obiJitu-O
THE chauffeur says it is stripped
gear. | sent him back on a hired pony
to telegraph for another to be sent to
Tia Juana. Heaven knows how I'll
get there-I am Miss Upton. I want
you to know Mrs. Fame"
The girl indicated tall woman with
dark eyes sparkling from behind a
pink veil, who was leaning over the
side Of the tonneau. Kynaston bowed
and received a charming smile.
MRS. Fane," continued the girl,
''is to spend a few weeks with me at
my fathers mine--maybc you have
heard of Daniel Upton, who owns the
Santa Cruz mine, a few miles to the
south?"
Miss Upton waved her hand in the
direction of Mexico.
Il should think have heard Of 1t!