The Benson signal., 1916-10-07

house, learns OF the murder, and Of
fers himself for death at the revenge
fui Wilkes hands. Then he turns to
state the purpose of his mission.
What mission is this, father?" 1t
was Marian who spoke.
my search for my lost Emerald
Bell" the padre replied. 1T is writ
ten, Many shall seek but it shall be
hidden from them"
He paused, a sudden furry from Dor
othy meeting his ear. His hearing,
quickened as it is in the blind, was as
delicate as that of the prairie dog
which the Apaches say can hear the
bursting Of the seed-pods in the bunch
grass in the spring.
At his words the girl had released
herself from Mrs. Fane's encircling
arm and was hurriedly loosening her
hair, which fell in sheeted fame over
her shoulders. Delving with trembling
hands in it's golden masses, she took
from its resting place, secure alike
from sight and touch-the Emerald
Bell!
Take it-take it," she said sobbing-
ly 81 wish we had never seen it! 1t
has brought nothing but evil fortune"
She thrust 1t into the trembling
hands of the old man. Wilkes and
Kynaston saw the tears stream down
his cheeks The blind do not weep
easily. They stood astomshed
"Out of the North it came, and out
of the North it has returned. Thanks
be to God for his mercies! His shrine
is no more empty. Evil fortune? ST.
senorita! 1t has been so since Monte
yuma gave it to Cortec and was killed.
Since the great conquistador took
it and died, broken-hearted and dis
graced man; since Pedrarias took it
and was poisoned-so did it go until it
reached the resting place from which
the followers of Zapata stole it. Nor
shall the Teniente Kynaston suffer.
Full proofs of ownership shall be for
warded from the shrine, that his name
may be cleared of suspicion"
He broke off, patting his recovered
treasure-even, they thought, talking
to it.
Nov indeed shall go south with a
light heart. My happiness would be
complete If l could but see it. but that
is not to be. What is that noise, Sc
nores?" he exclaimed. "It sounds like
firing"
1t was firing-a perfect feu de joie
in the besieger's camp. They saw
furry. Men were running in and out
like ants in hill.
They're either plannin' some more
devilment," said Wilkes acidly, cor
else they're goin' to pull out. I hope
It's the last"
Kynaston had not told Wilkes or
Dorothy of the startling news he had
heard while in Obispo's camp. In fact,
the excitement of the morning had
almost driven it from his mind, and he
now hardly believed it could be pos
sible that Villa would attempt such
wild plan. But the sudden commotion
in the camp might have some connec-
tion with Villas attack. Columbus was
less than forty miles away, and cou-
rier could have travelled the distance
since early morning. If it was really
war, he must rejoin his command at
once, and the women must be removed
from the clutches of these bandits at
all hazards. Without stopping to ex-
plain, he ran for the yard.
Here, where you goin', Kynaston"
called Wilkes.
"I'm going to take look at that
auto to see if it can run"
well it can if a man can be found
20 run it. What we you got in your
head?"
81 can run II IL the engine is in good
erder," said Mrs. Fame quickly. on
Mr.. Kynaston, if you think we can
get away in it, let's waste no time!
Let's look at it; can show you what
to do Comet"
They went to the shed, where she
showed him how to fill tank and rad1a-
tor. She stood over him explaining
the different stops while he tested the
engine. Grimy, dirty with oil and dust,
he worked like Trojan.
Suddenly something prompted him
to turn. He found Mrs. Fame gazing
dxedly at him.
"Its all right" she said abruptly.
II know it all. / heard Dorothy and.
] know"
What"
He Hushed uneasily undsr her eyes.
81 know about the card game, and
am woman enough, believe me, MIR.
kynaston, to know what prompted you.
It was no mere quixotic impulse that
made you risk your life to save Mr..
Upton. wish you all the luck in the
world. Now go in to Dorothy. She
needs you, not me, at present"
Kynaston found the girl sitting by
the table, her head upon her arms, her
hands nervously tapping the rough sur
face. Very gently he took both her
hands in his and drew them to him.
holding them tightly. till in answer to
the pressure she ra!seu her head and
looked at him