Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1917-09-07

care.
But Adams did NOT share her good
opinion Of Major Brent. An incident
he saw during their flight from the
Paso del NOrte came to his mind dur
ing the lonely vigil now beginning.
Il occurred after they had forded
the Rio Granada and were climbing
up the slope on the other side. The
invaders on American soil we're being
routed, separating into groups and
scattering In various angles, pursued
by the relentless u. s.. cavalry splen-
didly disciplined. A detachment under
Major Brent was engaged In a brill
liant clash with BOlerO. The valOrous
major was putting up a superb fight,
not sparlng himself or reckoning the
risk and was in a fair way to exter-
inmate the notorious border menace,
when he veered in his saddle and his
horse began to rear and pitch. This
lost for the doughty officer the rare
opportunity Of dispatching BOlero with
the sure shot Of which he was capable
and brought half a dozen Of the erst-
while generals rogues upon his back.
Adams, surprised, looked for and
found the cause Of Brent's denoue-
ment. There were two prisoners in
Bolero's party. One was Pearl Dare's
chauffeur, Toxic. The other was Ber-
tina Bonn. Brent, to whom the girl
beckoned, ignored her plight, turned
and dashed away. Adams experienced
then as he did now, before the dying
fire, a deep contempt for the major
and a sense Of pity for the girl. He
rose and ~replenished the fire.
He became nervous and agitated.
He opened the tent flap, peeped inside
and partly entered. Pearl was sound
asleep. He took the belt from her,
closed the flap and stole away.
Pearl had a horrible dream that
night. 1t pertained to a grotesque
shadow which crept to the tent while
she slept and substituted for the belt
Of Captain Payne a new one Of SINH
lar design. When she awoke from this
miracle Of slumber she found that her
dream had come true and a mlssive
fastened in the new belt buckle. 1t
was signed by T. o. Adams of Monks
Corner, Nebraska, and his words were :
FORGIVE AND FORGET Me-"
Adams had departed.
Meanwhile, in the overnight camp
pitched by Bolero's retreating raiders,
the two captives were kept under a
close surveillance.
They were not roughly treated. In
fact BOiero tried to make them feel
as though they were honored guests
forced for a time to accept his hospl-
tality. Neither, however, was deceived
by him. Both knew that escape was
impossible and that the guerilla chief.
tain could afford to be magnanimous
Bertha Bonn In a woman's way
quickly OWNED Interior motives In the
man. She bridled under his inslnuatinl
eye, but said nothing. Nor was hel
companion Toxic ~unObservant.
They were seated In a niche In the
rocks too uncertain of everything t.
think of sleep, when Toxic suddenly
spoke:
"Poor Miss Darel But maybe SHE
|. escape" Then he smiled a little. I"
forgot" he concluded; "you nc like
Miss Dare"
, "Why don't 1 like herr" she lnterro
, gated, marvelling.
81 have eyes. 1 see much-and far
. silently. II is the nature Of my race
l l know nothing for why should Tok,
p know anything. 1 not like Majo
Brent, l very sorry that Miss Oar
does like him."
She shot a swift glance at this II
Illuminating fellow sitting quietly be
side her. perhaps you see too much,
e she intimated, sarcastically. "A llttl
less mystery and more candor Of
your part, pleased What reason hav
T you to ever suspect an acQuaintanc
between Major Brent and myself?"
= "You were in Major Brent's roor
that night at the Hotel Wilton" h
5 proceeded, i%nscrutably, looking at he
wrists. "No marks on your nrms now
The major, he didn't get locket, di
he?"
81 don't know what you're talkin
about" she mumbled, incoherently. !
sudden fear Of this discerning and un
fathomable foreigner possessed heI
She wondered how much more h
knew.
you tell me to speak out" he wen
on, imperturbably. II speak out. YoI
put the locket In hotel vault that night
. eh2 l hope that It's secret will keeI
Major Brent from marrying my mis-
tress."
"Then you don't know the secret in
p side Of the lOcket7'
He looked at her Open-eyed. "NC
Whas Is itT"
She sighed In infinite relief. "Ye
you associate It with Major Trent
. Miss Dare and myself7"
? "An orderly-my friend-with tn
p chief Of general stan he tell me VIA
he saw at Major Brent's room tina
night" said Toxic, simply.
She looked at him In the superio