Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1917-05-03

no one was listening. Then be 70
the Senorita sleeps. you. Tienda. must
go get her"
But how9 She sleep upstairs" said
the Mexican. who was not particularly
pleased that Lopez had selected him
for this particular job.
II arrange for that" assured the
black devil. with grin at his aides.
you will find someone there with lad
der"
But. Therese?' continued Tienda.
"She no sleep there tonight" giggiea
the chief. @"Ycu know she no like
the Senorita- She think Manuel throw
her down because he likes SenoritA
fix that all right. She no be there.
You mean to steal Senorfta?" In
quired Peso.
"Si. ST." returned Lopez excttedIy.
Eve tx like this Tfenda. he go to
room of Senorita tonight. when she
sleep. Peso he help you.s You bring
her down. Bring her here. where you
find us. If they make too hot for US
we take her chihuahua mountains.
keep her there till they pay money"
Then. as he grinned In his dendish
glee. he added. you know l very fond
Senorita. too. I show that white rat.
Rutledge. that Lopez can get her too.
He beat me in that horse race to-day.
But. tonight l beat him."
Maybe the Senorita make big noise
| when we take her.. said Peso.
"If she does choke her. you henri"
replied Lopez gruf1y.
Then they all left the hut. each
going in different directions.
In order not to arouse suspicion.
Lopez made his way to the house. and
| mingled with the others in the ball
room. AS soon as he entered he saw
Liberty seated on lounge. in the
| alcove. with Captain Rutledge. and a
sneer spread over his wicked face as
he thought of what was going to hap
| pen a few hours later.
AS he passed the couple. Liberty
saw him and spoke. 81 say. Lopez.
why aren't you dancing?"
"Ah, Senorita, l can no dance like
| you Americanos," he answered with
gracious bow.
Lopez Is better rider than dane
err" laughed Rutledge, as he recalled
how he had defeated the Mexican that
afternoon.
The eyes of the Mexican cleaned
| fire at these words, and instinctively
his hand clutched his holster. Rut-
ledge was on his feet in an instant
But Lopez decided this was no time
to start anything. and as he slouched
away he remarked with heated anger:
Lopez will show you soon how fast
he can ridei" Then he left the room
and went to his hut.
Il wonder what he meant?" said
Liberty after he had gone.
"Ycu never know what Is In the
heart Of q Mexican" answered Rut-
ledge as he led his fair partner out
on the floor.
Pancho broke up the party earlier
| than was customary that night, upon
request Of Liberty. who explained that
she was tired from the long journey
and the excitement which had fol-
| lowed. So, about a half hour before
midnight the cowboys and servants
started for their lodgings. After Lib
erty had bid the Major and Captain
Rutledge goodnight she went direct
to her room and threw herself on
the bed to wait for the return of
Therese, who had gone to Ell Paso
with Manuel to attend Mexican
dance. Tired as she was, it didn't take
her long to fall asleep. and a few
minutes later she was living over
again, In her dreams. the events of
q day that had turned out to be the
happiest in her young life.
How long she slept she didn't know.
but she was suddenly awakened by
noise just outside her window. She
rubbed her eyes and sat up. What
she saw made her blood run cold.
For, as she looked the dark figure
of man was cautiously climbing
through her window With the aid
of the moonlight she noted his fea-
lures were that of a Mexicanl She
started to cry out. but before she
found her voice the grim figure made
leap at her and clapped his hand
over her mouth. at the same time rails
ing her bodily from the bed In his
big brawny arms as though she had
been an infant. She fought madly to
free herself. But he held her In a
lsleath-like embrace while she kicked
wildly at him. With one hand she
struggled to tear his from her mouth
but he held it there like a wise. Then
she tainted.
The Mexican then snatched up her
handkerchief. gagged her with 1t. and.
making certain that there was no dan
ger of her reviving Immediately. car
Rod her TO the window: climbed