Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1917-01-24

was picturesque figure on a horse,
and Rutledge, who sprang into his
saddle, with pleasant memories OF
Peyeta's cooking, and a heart sdH of
Liberty. And, after the Mexican serv-
ants had extended their farewells, the
trio started down the roadway leading
Ito the old Mexican trail. which
would take them direct to Narcitos
and thence across the Rio Grande into
Discovery.
A great reception awaited Liberty at
Discovery. Old Pancho had kept the
Medcans, employed on the estate,
busy for several days cleaning the
great mansion.
When the house was all ready for the
reception of its mistress Pancho gath
cred the ranch hands together and
planned a fiesta for the day of her ar
rival.
Finally the day arrived. Pancho
had declared it holiday for every
one. The Mexicans spent most of the
morning washing their faces, dress
ing their hair and putting on their
very best vestldos. Pancho ordered
Manuel to bring out the old coche,
which had not been used since the
Colonel died, so that Liberty might be
given a royal drive around the estate.
Even old Pedro, who had never been
| caught mingling with water during all
the years he had served the Horton
household, was found by Pancho
scrubbing himself in the waters of the
Rio Grande. which ran through the
rear of the estate.
When all was ready, the strange
procession, headed by Pancho, Manuel
and Lopez riding on fiery Mexican
steeds, and followed by Pedro on the
! seat of the coche. cOw-punchers, riders
and the servants, seated in some of the
old farm wagons, left the grounds
| and journeyed down the road.
Liberty saw them, as soon as she
and her companions turned the bend
in the road. about p half mile from the
house. The cowboys saw her at the
same time and started yelling, as they
spurred up their horse and started Off
to meet her. Pancho and Lopez. who
were known as two of the best riders
and in an instant they brushed past
the others and brought their horses
to q stop beside ''Tore" and his valu-
able rider.
"Ah, Panchol" cried Liberty as she
drew in her reins. "And there's
Lopez !" she added as each raised his
sombrero and put out his coffee-col-
ored hand TO greet her.
"Salutacion senoritHi Salutacioni
gusto. mucho gustol" shouted Pancho.
"Com 10 pasa, Senorita Liberte."
said Lopez as he grinned, showing his
peariy white teeth.
"And, Pedro, donde esta?' inquired
Liberty.
"He come, SenOrita," said Pancho, ms
he turned and looked down the road.
"There he Is. See on the coche." And
he pointed to the huddled old figure
who was far behind the others. bend
ing over the reins as he tried hard to
urge on his tired tenn.
1.-THE Captain and dear old Major
have come with me all the way" said
Liberty as these two rode up. "You
know them Pancho and Lopez.
PanchO raised his sombrero. while
Lopez merely nodded. The major
domo had never liked Rutledge. and
their feelings were mutual on this
point.
As the others came up Liberty
greeted them all cordially.
Rutledge then assisted Liberty
| into the coche, which took frs place
at the head Of the procession, with old
Pedro, the happiest Mexican I'm the
world, handling the reins. Then the
! Captain climbed In and took a seat
beside her, while the Major rode along
side.
Lopez had noted this, and II aroused
his jealousy: Course that white face
He pay for this" he muttered under
his breath. And, with this he spurred
up his horse. galloped ahead of the
party and disappeared down the road.
But Manuel had noted IL, too. and
It stirred anew his old hatred for the
ranger. Therese, who loved Manuel,
despite the fact that he had a black
streak running through his heart, saw
the longing look he had cast at Lib
erty, and II sent every drop of her
blood surglng through her veins. She
had dreaded the coming of this day,
and now that IT was here she feared
what the future would bring.
That evening as the grand ball was
in progress in the big ballroom on
the first floor of the house, Lopez
and several of his vaqueros were hold
ing a secret meeting In his hut at
the rear Of the ranch.
"There is one way we can raise the
money we want" he said to his rough
looking companions.
"How? mumbled Tlenda Barata.
"Sh-h." and Lopez crept softly to the
door and opened It to make certain
no one was listening. Then he re-
turned to his seat. ''To-night, when
the SenOrlta sleeps, you, Tienda, must
60 get her"
''But how7 She sleep upstairs" said
I the Mexican, who was not particularly
pleased that Lopez had selected him
for this particular Job.
ct arrange for that" assured the
black devil. with a grin at his aides.
you will find someone there with lad
der"
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