Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1917-08-23
!BERTY
AROMANCF OF
OLD MEXICO
9hH.vAN LOAN
NOVELHED FROM THE PHO
TOPLAY SERIAL OF The
SAME NAME. RELEASED BY
THE UNIVERSAL FILM MAN.
UFACTURINC COMPANY
SEVENTEENTH EPISODE
A Trail of Blood.


After Liberty had revived the poor
slave they both began to look for a
means of escape. Pedro managed to
drag himself to his feet, although weak
and i'll, and slowly CROPPED his way
around the walls, staggering as he
went. His fair mistress, disheartened
and weary, stood gazing into the stag
nant pool, at the ugly-looking reptiles
which occasionally pushed their noses
above the surface and seemed to vi
ciously threaten her with their evil
eyes.
1t was no place for the most villain
GUS greaser in Mexico. she unused, and
even a dog could cot live in this ILL
smelling hole very long. Death would
come as a relief, to any prisoner sur
rounded by these walls. Escape seemed
almost impossible. The massive stones
which made up the walls had rested
here for more than half a century
and the clay that held them together
seemed as obstinate as steel. They
could almost withstand the attack of
an army, not to mention the weak at
tempts of two such helpless individu-
ais as Pedro and herself. True she
was an American girl. but the Stars
and Stripes could not possibly help her
at this moment; she might even be
murdered here and her country not
find it out until years afterward, IL
they did even then But she had faith
in her government to believe when her
death was discovered it would be
avenged by her countrymen.
AT that moment she was awakened
from her reverie by Pedro, who crept
softly over to her side. She was fright
ened as he touched her arm.
"Senorita." he whispered. come.
look; Pedro think he find way to es-
cape" and he led her over to the wall
Which ran the length of the room.
What is it. Pedro?" she inquired,
her hopes rising little.
"Give Pedro your hand. Senorita,"
said the slave. as he reached for her
hand in the dark.
Liberty put out her arm and Pedro,
taking her hand. placed it on a large
stone which was projecting from the
wall.
See, Senorita," he said softly. at is
very near out of it's place. If Pedro
can loosen it maybe we can escape"
1t is too heavy. Pedro" suggested
Liberty, as she passed her hands
over and around the massive stone,
II think Pedro can move" he re-
piled confidently.
Perhaps both of US could move 1t
from it's place" added Liberty.
No. no. SenOrita.' said the slave
Pedro can move alone. He must move
it,"
IF it will only lead us outside" con-
tinued the girl. nervousIy.
I'VE can only hope it WILL" said Pc
dro as he stopped and in the darkness
placed his shoulder underneath the OBJ
ject.
Liberty's heart thumped with antici-
patton. She felt certain this wall was
the only thing which separated herself
and Pedro from freedom and she
moved closer to him and was about to
assist him when he pushed her gently
aside.
Pedro will move it," he said as he
tnbored hard to edge the stone from
its place.
AS he strained every muscle in his
great black body Liberty stood beside
MIN and waited for some assurance
from him that his efforts were being re-
warded- She could not see him; it was
too dark But she heard him mutter
ana groan as he put every ounce of his
strength into the work.
She move-she move-Senorita," he
gasped as he withdrew his shoulder
ana locked MS arms about the huge
bowlder.
You must rest. Peuro." whispered
Liberty, who realized the terrible
strain on the poor slave.
Pedro MISUNDERSTANDING = Seno-
Mexican.
1t seemed to Liberty as though she
stood there for hours, while Pedro tug
ged at the stone to force it from ITS
place. Then, as she was about to give
up hope, Pedro jumped back against
her. as he exclaimed: Look out, Seno-
rita, here 1t comeSr'
As Pedro felt the weight of the stone