Gilpin observer., 1917-11-15
Thirteenth EPISODE
Wings of Death.
ALARMS AND EXCURSIONS.

ALARMS AND EXCURSIONS.
It was midafternoon of Sunday un-
commonly warm, even for that season,
when Bud Morgan, on his saddle and
bridleless horse, found his way-less
consciously than guided by the instinct
of the homing pigeon-to the hacienda
Of Patria Channing's rancho.
None witnessed his arrival. Because
1t was day of rest, no house servants
were in evidence, busted with their ac-
customed weekday tasks. Mrs. Pills
bury was in her room, mapping away
the hour of the siesta. Her son, Rod
man, general superintendent of the
Claiming ranch properties, had ridden
Off soon after breakfast on some idle
prrand. Patria and Donald Parr were
alone in the library, coming a great
Typographical map of the neighboring
country.
Not sound disturbed the peaceful
hush of the hacienda other than their
low-pitched accents, before they heard
the rumble of approaching hoofs; and
this was noise so ordinary and COM
monplace that they were not even
aware of it.
1t required the shuttle OF uncertain
footsteps on the graveled walks of the
gardened patio to distract them from
their engrossing occupation
Patria looked up first from the map,
glanclng inquisitively out Of the win
dow. 1t was her cry Of pity that drew
Donald's attention. Following the d.
rection of her gaze, he saw the wound
ed and semidemented man at pause in
the middle Of the patio, glaring wit
lessly round him, bloodied and
ghastly figure, a vision as incongru-
Gus to that time and place as an ap-
partition from the grave in a kinder
garten.
Jumping up, Donald ran out wound
his arms round Morgan, and helped
him into the library.
Thus 1t was that, for upwards of an
hour, the tale Bud had to tell, of
terror and tragedy, of homestead
burned, mother and child mur-
dered,, sister kidnapped by raiders
from across the border, was known
only to Patria and Donald.
When he had finished speaking and
bowed his wounded head on arms fold
ed upon the library table, there was
nothing more said by anyone for many
minutes. The two stared at each 9th.
sr across the shoulders of the man in
speechless CONSERVATION and bewilder
ment.
what are you going to dor Patria
demanded presently.
Donald said: First of all, get BUD
% bed"
"But-Bess" the girl protested.
1--WE will, of course, start an expedi
.ion to rescue her as soon as We dare.
"Darel" 81.
ut would be worse than useless t.
let our boys cross the border by day
light. You know well enough how In
stantaneously-almo Mexican
can spread news by their under
ground telegraph. Unless we walt til
nightfall and smuggle our men acros
unseen, we might as well TELEGRAPH
Zelaya or Huroki, or whoever Is re
sponsible for this atrocity, to prepar
to receive u.s."
"And in the meantlme-what hap
pens to Bess? Oh, ] cannot under
stand how you dare suggest waitln
here till dark |"
Because ! am determined to res
cue her-and because / feel sure n
harm will come to her"
How can you say that?"
IT nm sure that this is n move di,
tated by Huroki. You know how PEI
slstently his spies have haunted thi
neighborhood and how consistent
they have failed to find out apythin
concerning our preparations-all e.
cept those three who died suddenly {
finding out too much!" Parr smile
grimly, then once more was grave.
mot one had seen anything or live
to tell the tale of what he saw. Their
fore Huroh has done this thing
would stake my life on it-in ord
to get hold Of somebody presumed
be in your conddence-somebody fro
whom he can persuade the informatis