The Lamar register. [volume] (Lamar, Colo.) 1889-1952, 1916-09-06
DAWN'S EARLY LIGHT
BY IzoLA FORESTER.

ranch. Tom was big and goOd-nntured.
The tides OF war rumors never ru1lied
: his daily calm or happiness. He had
u tidy bunch Of Mexicans working for
him. good fellows every one, and he
didn't see why Uncle Sans argu-
mrnts should interfere with their
friendly and sOciable relations.
Clarita Gomez flashed her quick
smile ut him and accepted his invita-
ton to settle at Sweetwater ranch
with her brother Juan.
There amt better cattle man in
all Texas than Juan" Tom had said.
Shaping the tall lean SOnOran on his
shoulder. I'm going back East in
June to bring back the best girl in the
whole United States of America, and
IN leave things here To Juan"
He left the first Of June just when
the border was hubhllng over with
trouble.
I'm be back by July" he told Juan,
"and wen have the biggest knockout
Fourth the old ranch ever saw in
honor of the bride, understand, Juan.
Have everything Ia good shape
The first thing Juan did after his
boss took the euSt-hound train was To-
fire the four American cowsbOys and
substitute MexicHns. The boys rode
over the Fl Rey Pass and Joined the
army.
The happy bridegroom was married
at the little white church, June 20, toI
Sue Phillips. and all the way west he
told her OF the roomy. comfortable
ranch house lying in the fertile val
ley below.
Tom had sent on big supply Of
fireworks and flags from New York.
Well shoot rockets so high they
can see them ut Fort Lomar." he said
At the station he hired ear to
take them over. 1t was late and he
had not let Juan know of his arrival
Just as they were leaving u couple Of |
soldiers came up the broad steps aud |
To- shot out surprised hail at his |
old boys. Sue waited impatlently |
while he talked to them in low tones. |
When he came back. he looked oddly, |
not Ike the gOod-naturcd Tom sht. had |
known, but tense angry man who |
meant business. They started awuy |
with The big box Of fireworks strapped |
10 The running board. aud a mile down |
from Muddy Ford Tom halted the ear.
TIN going up To the ranch alone" |
he told Sue. holding her In his arms
and kissing her. IF amt back for
you in two hOurs-that'n be nine |
o'clock-you set on this bunch Of sky |
rockets one after the other, and hop
for town In that ear as fast as the boy |
can take you"
Sue waited, his last kiss fresh on |
her lips, her eyes fixed on the sill |
hOuette of trees outlined against the |
clear, fair moonlight. They marked |
the river course where Tom stode ON |
up to the ranch. And awhile she
turned back from the low shack to Ind |
the boy whlstling softly to himself us
he knelt on the ground. making a lit |
tie mound to rest the rockets against. |
Its two hours" he told her. Here |
goes the first"
They'll see that clear over to the |
fort" Sue whispered.
AS the rocket scared into the night |
sky, Tom lay on his back. trussed like
n Thanksgiving turkey. beaten and |
bruised, gagged and bleeding. outside |
the ranch house door. Inside Juan |
and his men were drinking singing |
and bowling derisive yells at the |
cursed Americans, and they planned |
the death of Tom Madigan at dawn.
Once a shadow stole out and stood |
beside him. A little sllppered toe
touched his cheek. and Clarlta laughed |
at him.
You have happy bridal homecom-
ing, yes, senior. Where your wife. |
huh? You going TO celebrate your
Fourth fine. yesf"
That's ALL" the boy said when the
last rocket went up. Wed better |
hustle now like he said"
Halfway the boy slowed down and |
listened.
Hear 'em comlng"-he grlnned-
the soldiers"
They waited I'LL the detschment