The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1917-05-11

radiant bloom of youth, innocent
trustful. with a cherished glowing
ideal at soul so blessed as Madge Will
lisl And amid 1t all she was walt
ing for present-no gewgaw orna-
ment or passing token Of remem-
brance, but a royal lifetime gift-a
husband
She stood in the doorway Of the
cabin set just back from the river on
the Texan border Her father, sturdy
old Reuben Willis, had been land
speculator In the district for over twen-
ty years. AS the saying went, he had
made his pile and was about to return
TO his former home in the North.
Madge expected his return from Pax
ton, where he had gone to close up
some business affairs. He was to
bring Walter Rayburn back with him.
81 won't bring you a stick-pln or a
new hat, Jewel" her father had said.
"The present I'm going to give you is
Walter Rayburn. Glad? So is he, and
he's going North with us, and Wen be
happy all the way round"
For, although Madge and Walter had
been engaged for over two years, Mr..
Willis had insisted that time must de-
velOp the wOrthiness and steadfastness
of the ardent lover. Only twice a
year had Walter come down to the
old ranch on the Rio Grande. And
now there was to be quiet wedding
at the little town of Pittsville, ten
miles away, and flight to less-iso-
lated spot in the state where Madge
was born.
TITS like the opening of some beau
tiful dreamw murmured Madge, as
she stood in the doorway of the rude
but comfortable old cabin, gazing at
the reddening sunset. "Ims glad we
are going to leave, for the Mexican
raids are coming closer and more
frequent"
She went into the house to glance
at the clock. According to all calcu-
soon put in an appearance. A clatter
outside of horses hoOfs and strange
voices sent a sharp thrill through her
frame. Madge went to the door. 1t
was to shrink back in sudden terror.
Ten men on horseback had driven up
and now surrounded the house. Two
others drove a light wagon. At
glance Madge recognized them as
MeXicans. She noted, too, their semi
military garb.
She had acquired a very fair smat-
tering of the Spanish language, and
only a few overheard sentences were
necessary to apprise Madge of the
fact that the long-dreaded raid was
| reality.
The leader of the group was
handsome, cOurtly young fellow.
He gave sharp, definite orders. All
of the men, except two, deployed, sur
rounding the building. The leader ad-
vanced and swept his hat to- the
ground in a respectful bow.
"Senorita, a brief domiciliAry visit
of necessity, order by superiOrs," he
observed in a suave, still half-mocking
tone. 'No harm will be done to you,
but there must be no outcry or at
tempt to escape. You are alone?"
"Yes," she retorted, and her flash
ing eyes dashed the audacious fellow
with their sheer contempt and def
ance.
"We counted on that" remarked the
leader. "PetrO-Sanchez-th box. We
know it is here"
Madge chilled. She cOmprehended
to what they referred-the little safe
in her fathers bedroom. 1t had often
held heavy collections and important
documents. These ruffians had learned
of it. Their presence might mean beg
gary to her father, it might destroy all
their fond plans for the future!
Steadily she faced the leader. She
saw that resistance or pleading were
alike futile. Madge paled slightly as
the two men who had entered the
house returned. 1t required all their
strength to carry the little safe to the
wagon.
ut is locked" spoke one of them.
"The chief will know how to open
it!" chuckled the leader. "AIl ahead. !
1 will drive. At your pleasure, senor-
ita."
Madge was compelled to mount the
wagon seat. The cavalcade in the
lead, the leader took up the lines.
"You must not be left behind to start
an ALARM" he remarked smoothly. ut
remains with the chief as to your per-
manent detention"
Madge turned her face away from
the speaker. She refused to exchange
words with him. He allowed the lines
to trail and the horse went slowly, al
though the horsemen had spurred up
and were quite a distance ahead.
There was a spell of silence Madge
crowded to the extreme end of the
seat as her polite but insistent captor
resumed his observations.
''The exigencies of warfare are
cruel, senorita," he continued with spe-
cious blandness. "For instance, Chief
Avarro has little conscience. Listen,
you are beautiful-so much so that l,
loyal as / have been, will forget my
commander and my country if you will
DcCulIG my DlluSs AOu VIII uOl speak
l appear contemplate to you? Not so,
l am only in earnest. / can save you;
l can save the precious safe. One
word from you and can turn from
the road. know an obliging priest.
| will be true and loving. Think it
over"
Madge's heart sank. She knew that
his reference to his bandit chief bore
a tinge of truth. She shuddered.