Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-11-10
CHAPrER xxIv-(Coutsnued)


"IIIASHINGTON won't do anything.
w What can be done when there are
thousands Of American women in the same
danger? What steps can the Government
take, with the feet on it's way TO Vera Cruz.
with the army mobilizing, and with diplo.
matte relations suspended? Those Greasers
are filling their jails with our people
rounding 'em up for the day Of the big
break-and the State Department knows
IT, No, Longorio saw IL all coming-hes no
fool. He's got her; she's In there-trapped
Blaze took the speaker by the shoulder
and faced him about. Look here said
he I'm beginn!n' to get wise 20 you.
believe you're-the man in the case" When
Dave nodded he vented his amazement In
a long whistle. After n moment he asked
We'll, why did you want me TO come here
alone ahead Of the others?"
Because | want you TO know the whole
inside OF this thing SO that you can get
busy when I'm gorie; because want to Dor.
row what money you have"
What you amin to pull off?" Blaze In.
quired. susplciously.
I'm going to find her and bring her out"
you? Why, Dave, you can't get through.
This is a Job for the soldiers"
But Dave hardly seemed TO hear him
You must start things moving at once"
ne said. urgently. Spread the news, get
the story into the papers, notify the author.
tiles Get every influence at work from
here to headquarters; get your Senator and
the Governor OF your State at work. Ellis
worth will help you. And now give me your
last dollar"
Blaze emptied his pockets shaking his
shaggy head the while. La Feria is hun
dred and fifty miles in" he demonstrated.
by rail from Pueblo. yes. But it's barely
a hundred, straight from here"
you amt got a chance, single-handed.
You're crazy to try IT.
The effect of these words was startling,
for Dave laughed harshly. Cray is the
word" he agreed. It's Job for lunatic,
and that's me. Yes, I've got bad blood in
me- Biaze-bad blood-and I'm taking II
back where got II. But llsten!" He turned
a sick, colorless face to his friend. They'll
whittle a cross for Longorio II do get
through"
I'm most tempted to go with you" Blaze
stammered, uncertainty
mo. Somebody has TO stay here and stir
things up. II we had twenty men like you
we might cut our way in and out, but there's
no time 10 organize, and, anyhow. the Gov
ernment would probably stop us. I've got
hunch that I'll make 1t. II I don't-why.
it's all right"
The two men shook hands Iingeringly.
awkwardly; then Blaze managed to wish
his friend luck. IF you don't come back"
he said. with peculiar catch in his voice
TO follow your trail. I'll sure look forward
TO IT,"
Dave took the river bank TO Sangre de
Cristo, where, by means of the dilapidated
ferry, he gained the Mexican SIDE Once
across, he rode straight up toward the vii.
lage of Romero. When challenged by an
undersized soldier he merely spurred Mon.
trosa forward, eying the sentry so grimly
that the man did more than finger his
rife uncertainty, cursing under his breath
the overbearing airs of all gringos. Nor
did the rider trouble TO make the slightest
detour, but cantered the full length of
Romeros dusty street. the target of more
than one pair Of hostile eyes To those who
saw him, soldiers and civilians alike. Il
was evident that this stranger had business
and no one felt called upon 10 question its
nature There are men who carry an air
more potent than bodyguard and Dave
Law was one OF these. Before the village
had thoroughly awakened to his coming he
was gone, without a glance to the right or
left, without a word TO any one.
As the afternoon heat subsided, Montrosa
let herself out into a freer gait and began
20 cover the distance rapidly, heading due
west through a land OF cactus and dagger,
Of thorn and barb and bramble.
The roads were unfenced, the meadows
desolate the huts were frequently un-
tenanted. Ahead the sky burned splendidly.
and the shnset grew more brilliant more
dazzling, until Il glorihed the whole mean,
thirsty, cruel countrywide.
Dawes eyes were set upon that riot OF
blazing colors, but for the time II failed 10
thrill him. In that welter OF changing hues
and tints he saw only red Red That was
the color OF blood IL stood for passion lust.
violence and II was ittng badge OF color
for this land OF revolutions and alarms. Al
first he saw little else-except the hint OF
black despair TO follow. But there was gold
in the sunset, too-the yellow gold OF ran
som That was Mexico-red and yellow.
blood and gold, lust and license. Once the
riders fancy began 10 work in this fashion.
il would not rest. and as the sunset grew
In splendor he found in il richer meaninss.
Red was the color OF a woman's lips-yes.
and a woman's hair. The deepening blue
OF the high sky overhead was the hue OF a
certain woman's eyes. warm, soft breeze
out of the west beat into his face and he
remembered how warm and soft Alaire's
breath had been upon his cheek
The woman OF his desires WAS yonder
where those colors warred. ana she was
mantled in red and gold and purple for his
coming The thought aroused him; the
sense Of his unworthiness vanished the
blight fell from him; he felt only a throb-
hing eaEerness 10 see her ADD TO take her
in his arms once more before the end
With his head high and his face agleam,
ne rode into the west into the heart OF the
sunset