The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1916-06-16


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 flame over
her shoulders. De1ving 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 it 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 astonished.
"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 1t to Cortes and was killed.
"Since the great ccnquistador 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 1t.
Now indeed shall go south with
light heart. My happiness would be
complete If could but see it, but that
is not to be. What is that noise, Sc
nores? ?" he exclaimed. 1T sounds like
firing"
1t was firing-a perfect feu de joie
in the besieger's camp. They saw o
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. | 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 a cou-
rier could have travelled the distance
since early morning. II 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
to run 1t. What We you got in your
bead?"
Il can rdn 1t II the engine is in good
order" said Mrs. Fame quickly. "Oh,
Mr. Kynaston, if you think we can
get away in 1t, let's waste no time!
Let's look at It; can show you what
to do. Come!"
They went to the shed, where she
( showed him how to fill tank and radia.
tor. She stood over him explaining
the different stops while he tested the
engine. Grimy. dirty with oil and dust
he worked like q Trojan.
Suddenly something prompted him
to turn. He found Mrs. Fame gazing
fixedly at him.
It's all right" she said abruptly
Il know 1t all. / heard Dorothy and
I know"
What"
He flushed uneasily under her eyes
Il know about the card game, and
am woman enough, believe me, Mr.
kynaston, to know what prompted you
IL 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, hel
hands nervously tapping the rough sur
face. Very gently he took both hel
hands in his and drew hem TO him
holding them tightly, till in answer t.
the pressure she raised her head ant
looked at him.
Still he said no word; only his eyes
met hers. In their gaze there was &
wondrous dawnlng that brought the
vivid color to her cheeks. Slowly
very slowly-in answer to his fixed