Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1916-11-16

heart that had belonged TO him. What
the gringo would do with 1t did not
concern the Mexican. He was absorb
ed In vengeance. Resisting the tempta-
ton to rush upon the man who had
dispossessed him, he finally skunk
away. resolved to wait an opportunity
to take his revenge without its react
ing upon himself
Jernegan, having finished his supper
and smoked, went to the camp where
the men who were to construct the
dam were to begin work the next
morning. There in conference with
the superintendent Inez passed from
his mind. 1t was 10 o'clock when he
returned to Sonora Cavillo's. The In
mates were all in their rooms, but the
house was open as 1t had been during
the day, for the weather was warm,
and, being remote from other places
and persons, the doors were never shut
at night. The only light on the main
floor was one in the living room open
ing ON to the veranda.
The engineer sat down on bench
ON the veranda and was thinking Of
problem that had arisen in connection
with the construction Of the dam when
he saw the shadow Of human figure
cast through window by the light In
the room behind him and heard voice
say:
"Senor, thinking you might need re-
freshment / have iced some wine for
you"
"Ah, senorita; always kind and
thoughtful | will drink the wine on
condition that you drink it with me-"
Inez brought out a tray on which
was small pitcher of beverage she
had concocted. and, drawing table
before the bench, the two sat down on
the bench to regale themselves
They had been seated some time and
had emptied the pitcher. Jernegan's
arm was around Inez's waist. On the
table before them suddenly appeared
the shadow of u head, then of pair Of
shoulders. Lastly shadow of an arm
rose from the rest. Inez gave shrek
and, springing up covered her compan-
ion with the upper part Of her body.
A blow descended upon her. and she
sank down on to the floor
Jernegan rose, turned and saw
Mexican holding knife in his hand
from which blood dripped. From this
he cast glance at the sinking Inez
and took In the situation. An inten-
ton to kill him had been thwarted by
her receiving the blow that had been
meant for him. Selling the only weap-
on at hand, the earthen pitcher on the
table, he hurled 1t with all his strength
through the window. 1t struck his op-
ponent in the temple, and he fell sense.
less to the floor.
Forgetting his existence, Jernegan
stopped, took up Inez and held her In
his arms Notwithstanding a severe
wound in her shoulder she had not
lost consciousness. She looked up at
him with smile that spoke volumes.
She had received the blow that might
have killed the man she loved.
Her shrek brought down her mother
from the floor above and others.
Sonora Cavillo glanced at the figure of
the would be murderer stretched on
the floor with the bloody knife near
the hand that had held it. She recoa.
n1zed Coral, but he did not interest
her; her concern was for. her daughter.
whose shrek had brought her to the
scene of the trouble. Going on to the
veranda, she took Inez from the Amer.
lean, tore away the clothing that Gov
cred the wound and began stanchipg
the blood.
Jernegan gave shrill call to the
men In the camp, and the superin.
tendent and several other men came TO
the house
Take that man awayr' cried the en-.
gineer. HE tried to kill me. This
girl threw herself in his way and re.
ceived the blow"
Coral, who was still insensible, was
taken up and carried to the rear of the
house. lnez was supported to her
room by her mother
Jernegan thought it best to spend
the night at the camp. On reaching It
ne told what he knew Of the story
This was not much. He did not know
VINO the man was who had attacked
him, but surmised it was some Mexican
possibly interested in Inez-who
hated gringoes. Those engaged with
him In construction work advised him
to remain In camp with them, for. since
ne mad excited antagonism, he was LA
Die to be murdered He had no
stomach for the scene of his tragic ad.
venture and took their advice.
Coral. who had been struck In a vital
place. remained unconscious till a sur
geon removed fractured bone and its
consequent pressure on the brain
Then he recovered consciousness, and
1t was not long before he was about
again. He expressed much concern as
to Inezs condition, his first words after
regaining his senses being. Have /
Killed herr When he was assured
that she was living and her rpor,d