The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1916-05-05
CHAPTER %.
Tho Emerald Bell.

tho httio SQudc VI CaFaiTyuen Toue up
to their old camp. AS he came down
the hill Kynaston could see the gray
blur down in the valley that told him
that the man had not yet returned
with the new gear that should repair
the motor and allow his visitors to
leave.
Not wishing to wake his guests, Ky
naston stood by the fire. where break
fast was cooking, rolling q cigarette,
waiting till the stirring notes of the
mess call should tell the camp that
their meal was ready
The first note brought Dorothy from
the tent. Smiling her welcome. she
came forward with outstretched hand.
For answer Kynaston motioned to
the little group of pi Ssoners, who were
intently watching the cooks. eager for
the first really square meal in days.
OH" Dorothy walked daintily for
ward, drawing her skirts more closely
about her as she edged into the lit
tie group and addressed one of the
men in the vernacular.
"Cual distancia de su casa?" GLOW
far are you from home?') she asked.
Instantly the man sprang to his feet
and swept off his '.o.nbrero in an ex-
aggerated bow.
"Muchas gracias, sonora! 1t is not
often that it is given to prisoners to
have beautiful woman express SYM
pathy for them. We are five hundred
miles from home indeed, we loyal
Mexicans have no homes. When we
cross the border. driven across the
line after fighting valiantly, our prop
erty is confiscated."
A rumble of mutterings from the
others attested the truth of this.
Good morning, everybody" cried
Mrs. Fame. joining the party. What's
up, MIR. Kynaston?"
Good morning, Mrs. Fane!" said
the lieutenant. Nothing in particu-
lar up; just showing off my prisoners.
that's all"
He told how the little group Of fed.
erals had surrendered to him, and ac-
quainted her with their complaint of
persecution.
It's a shame!" cried Mrs. Fame.
It's wicked shame that when these
people wage legitimate war to sup
press rebellion the revolutionist party
should confiscate their little property
while they escape across the line to
save their lives What is II, Mr.. Ky
aaston?"
For Kynaston was openly grinning.
I'll tell you. | used to sympathize
with them myself before got to know
them. You see, what they tell you is
only half the truth, Mrs. Fame Ask
pointed to the off,
cer-"if his property is not going to
be confiscated by the rebels after due
process of law because the law pro-
vides that the property of any person
In the state who shall seek refuge ia |
another country is confiscated"
The officer nodded and spat vigor-
ously.
For vida! These rebels are dogs
who live on the offal that their chiefs
throw them. Loot. pillage, aNd plum |
der They know no laws. sonora"
POGO a POGO" said Kynaston, still |
2rinning. The truth of the matter |
is that when Huerta was in power and |
the revolution was young, the federals |
passed law which they called the !
law of the absent ones-to translate |
freely-which was aimed especially |
against the rebels. BY the terms OF
that law il any person should take !
refuge on the American side of the !
line, refusing to submit to Mexican |
law, his property should be conhs- |
Gated"
Exactly what he says" began Mrs
Fame scornfully.
Precisely. But when Carranza and
Villa broke and Carranza took over the
government, the federals began to |
come across the line. and the revolu-
tonists began to put in force the law
that Huerta had passed"
"Ah. / see!" Dorothy Joined XIV.
naston in a smile at the good iady's !
look of enlightenment.
suppose we may as well have |
breakfast. sergeant IL II is ready. |
Keep the prisoners away from those |
pack mules. Ill examine the packs
after we have eaten. Who Is that |
coming down the slope?
Dorothy and Mrs. Fame both eager |
ly looked out across the desert in the |
direction OF Kynaston's pointed finger.
Far away against the dead brown Of |
the mesa slope, where the powders |
gave way to red earth and pinyon
pine, they saw the figure OF a man !
toiling his way painfully down the |
hillside, seeking by the aid Of a long
stick to learn the devious turns of the /.
tortuous trail.
Why, he's blind!"