The Holly chieftain., 1917-04-06

nutIeO&e fQSneO IN ana DeIOt0 Iue
captain and the doctor knew what had
happened he had thrust them bott
aside.
Liberty" he exclaimed.
"Bobi" and the next instant shs wai
In his arma
II wonder where that orderly isr
remarked the Captain - hs winked tt
the doctor. who heeded the tip and FOL
lowed him outside.
you have been wounded, dear.
said Rutledge A. he studied heI
bandaged arm.
"It's well have BEEN" smiled LIB
erty. @or you would be In danger o1
being crushed to DEATH"
II think we had better 20 and helF
the Captain search for that orderly,
Pedro" said the Major.
'Why. you dear old thing" said Lib
erty AZ she put out her hand. which
was eagerly grasped BY the major,
"And you. too, Pedro" she added. a
the faithful slave pressed her hand to
his lips. Then she placed her hand on
his head. "You have saved my life 20
many times 1t seems a. though It right
fully belongs to you." she added.
Before Senor Horton died I prom
ise ! protect Miss Liberty" he an
swered. II must keep my promise"
1--WE must return home." said Lib
erty. II have only q slight wound in
the arm and I think, II we take It
slowly. will be all right"
A little later Liberty was placed In
the saddle and they started to ride
back to the hacienda.
Arriving at the hacienda, Rutledge
helped Liberty to dismount and then
he and the Major went to put their
horses up. She made her way around
to the side Of the house and was just
about to enter when she heard voices
within. She paused at the door to
listen. It was Manuel and his father.
They seemed to be quarreling and
were talking in loud tones. She
pressed her ear close to the door.
''There is no time like the present" +"
insisted Manuel. "Force his hand to-
night"
"Why hurry this thing?" argued the
elder Leon. "We have him In our
power. He can't deny his own hand
writing"
Then, as she heard a door close, Lib
erty novei away. She walked slowly
toward the old well. in the center Of
the courtyard. pondering over the
words she had just heard.
AE she stood there meditating she
heard someone approaching and as
she turned she saw it was Rutledge.
"Where Is the Major?" she inquired.
II left him at the back of the
house." answered Bob. "He said he
was going in to see Pancho."
Il think Manuel and his father are
up to something" said Liberty.
Give me the word and TIL 90 in and
make them both tell me all about It."
said Bob.
"Sh-h, here comes Manuel" said
Liberty, as she saw the Mexican leave
the house and start in their direction.
He crossed the courtyard and, see
ing Liberty and Rutledge. he walked
over to where they were standing. As
he got directly In front of them he
paused, greeted Liberty with bow,
as he smiled graciously. Then he
passed on his way. without taking any
notice of Rutledge, and threw himself
in the hammock just beneath his own
window.
''That wretch is up to something" /"
said Rutledge.
At that moment the Major and Pam
cho were having, warm session In
the living room of the Iatter's quar-
ters. And Manuel, as he lay back in
the hammock, could hear every word
Of 1t. The Major had been informed
by Manuel that his father wanted to
see him, and as soon as he had put his
horse up Winston went directly to the
house.
Manuel told me you wanted to see
me-" said the Major as he shook hands
with his partner.
"Yes," replied Pancho.
Something about the estate?" in
quired Major Winston.
swell, not exactly that" replied
Pancho. ut concerns Miss Liberty"
Miss Liberty, eh?" answered the
Major.
"Yes," replied Pancho slowly. "You
remember that, according to the pro-
visions In the colonei's will, his daugh-
ter was not to marry without the con-
sent of both guardiansT
Exactly" agreed the listener.
swell, my son is anxious to marry
hor - ho vuopk an