The Ordway new era., 1917-11-23
FOURTEENTH EPISODE
Border Peril.
DAY SRSAk.

IN SEh-<NN-
In the library of the Charming
hacienda lights burned late into the
night Round great oaken table in
the middle of the room some ten per
sons sat IN conference The surface
of the table was strewn with maps and
papers-the former large-scale and
minutely detailed typographical maps
of the Claiming properties and the ad-
jacent country, both north and south
of the border.
A council OF war was in progress.
Something after midnight IL drew to-
ward its conclusion. \ hush Of
thoughtful silence settled down upon
the gathering, Patria and Donald Parr
and their aides-those commanding
the several divisions of Patria's little
force of watchmen'-mentally re-
viewing what had been said. recon-
ming point by point such instructions
as had been issued and the course of
action which had been agreed upon.
1t was vitality important that moth
ing should be neglected, forgotten, or
overlooked.
This business to which they We're
committed was so desperate, their
hopes for its success so meager and
forlorn, that the little company of pa
triotic adventurers dared neglect no
least item of precaution.
According to reliable information a
great army was marching to invade
the soil of the United States-an army
made up of the allied forces of MeXi
co and Japan which had for so long
been encamped in the Businesses of
the hills Immediately south of the
border, awaiting Tokio's word to ad-
vance.
Today, apparently, that word had
been spoken; it was known that the
allied troops had broken camp and
were in motion toward the border
And it needed only u most super
fetal examination of the maps on the
table to demonstrate that the one
feasible path of invasion lay through
the Claiming properties.
And the forces which Patria had
gathered together to oppose this long
Threatened invasion were so pitifully
outnumbered that their sole hope of
surviving lay in the thorOughness of
their preparations only courage that
held life a thing of little moment
guided by cool-headed intelligence of
the highest order could render efrec-
tive the plans these few had made TO
surprise, outwit, and repel the inyad-
ers.
The shrilling of the telephone bell
Interrupted the silence. Parr took up
the instrument, spoke briefly into ii,
and handed 1t to Patria.
"A telegram for you he said.
The girl listened attentiveIy to what
graph operator at the nearest railroad
station. some twenty miles away, then
thanked him and cooIly hung up.
Washington" she said -acknowi-
edging my wire warning them of this
invasion. There yiu be an investiga-
don ordered Immediately. and if my
Information proves well-founded
troops will be sent
"Nothing could be fairer than that" !"
Parr commented grimfy.
Il think said Patria to the COM
pany Eve have said all that could be
said tonight We all know our duties.
The instructions you have received are
mot subject to change except in ener-
gency-and then you must rely upon
ypur wits to save yourselyes-and the
fcst of US. Now let us adjourn. and
II re can, get little sleep"
There was general movement of
eiiafrs being pushed back from the
table. The men rose, and waited in
Isstle groups while one after another
went to say goodnight to Patrfa. She
fhook the hand Of each, and Donald
al likewise. There were few words
sp1ken hut the hnndclasps were firm
- significant.
These were possibly their last fare
l41ss. This uputtsred thought in
s6 every mind. Dawn would fint
1f ~ post. whers sunsse should
- H., none dared suess.
ss43 x o. tbev went their wayy
iI 1Is nielh&. ~ Iens1A Hntria ~
E = n el4 - ~ tl1ne!l