The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-08-21

you tryin' to make a Twin by your
own unaided efforts?"
I'VE have come to collect from the
holders of Mexican property a part
Of their ill-gotten gains in order, senior,
that the brave and patriotic defenders
OF the republic shall not be hungry"
We'll, you've undertaken a grown
mans job. them snarled Upton.
I've never yet seen a Mexican who
wasn't hungry all the time. What
specifically do you ask"
We demand the payment by the
Santa Cruz mine of five thousand dol
lars in cash and the surrender of all
the arms, ammunition and powder, in
GLIDING dynamite, that you have, as
well as the permanent loan Of all your
able-bodied horses
HIM! And what do l get out of
it?"
You will have our protection and
our assurances that you will not be
bothered or annoyed by any further
compulsory loans made to the provi-
sional republic"
Upton fumbled for a moment in his
pocket, from which he finally produced
two papers. These he handed to his
interviewer.
There are two other projections
given me last month";" he said tersely.
You will see that one is for two thou
sand and the other for fifteen hun
dred."
We will guarantee you against
any further contributions" said the
other ingratiatingly.
III your own force isn't strong
enough to take my place 1t certainly
isn't strong enough to protect me
against anything. No, senior. l won't
pay you a single cent-not a sou
markee. I've stood all I'm going to
stand from you fellows. Now I'll ap-
peal to the American consul"
The other spat derisively.
Better trust to mel" he said vain
gloriously. But if you do not sur
render Immediately, but compel me to
take the place, tell you frankly,
seror | shall show no quarter"
We'll, l can't help that, can l? |
will give you, sir, exactly what you
can take-an' it won't strain your back
to carry it, either" snapped Upton.
Very well, senor," said the Next
can. II give you half an hour to con-
suit with your companions. II at the
and oP TINT timo vou dao;do 20 oooont
my terms you have only to wave a
white flag from your front door.
shall know what it means.
IF there is no fag-then all that
follows is your own fault. Adios,
senior. May the saints teach you wis.
dom!" The Mexican strobe off to
his men while Upton picked the best
way up the slope to the house.
The long half.hour came to an end
at last. Suddenly down by the cor
rails a rifle cracked. A bullet wheeped
through the window where Kynaston
stood. Lodged in the heavy window.
post. At the smack of the impact the
youngster sprang back
Raising his rifle, he fired at head
that showed above stone. The fiat,
smacking report and the heavy recoil
of the piece steadied him.
Did you hit him?" asked a soft
cua steady voice behing him. He
turned to see Dorothy standing near
him.
Don't think so. Please get back,
Miss Upton. You might be hit, you
know, and then"
His eyes told the rest of it. Doro-
thy laughed a little.
What do you think the upshot of
this matter will be-" she asked, eff
you're in this fix on my account
blushirg, she added hastily-"and-
Or Mrs. Fane's. I'm more than sor.
ry-"
I'm not" he answered CURLY,
Stop that Excuse me, please"
That was the sneaking an
proach. belly-down in the dust, of two
OF the attackers who, in attempting
to gain the shelter of a huge cotton
wood tree. rscklessly exposed them
selves. The two army rifles instantly
took toll. One man rolled over and
lay still. while the other was sent limp
lug to cover.
Dorothy covered her face with her
hands for moment, then turned away
with little shudder 1t was war, she
knew, but 1t was hard to accustom her
self to the idea Of death and suffering
inflicted under her very eyes
An oath from Upton made Kynas-
ton turn. He saw John Wilkes, the
old engineer, step to the table and,
picking up the dipper. help himself
to drink of water.
The dipper was still immersed in
the water when there came another
fiat, smacking report, followed by q
crash as of stone on a board. The
bucket broke into fragments and fell
from the table, the water dripping
down upon the floor.
Mr.. Wilkes stood gazing upon the
ruin.
What the" he calculated help
lessly.
Bullet through the east loophole, "