Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1917-05-24

aside
Liberty" he exclaimed
Bob ~ and the next instant she was
in his arms.
81 wonder where that orderly isT"
remarked the Captain as he wfnked to
the doctor. who needed the tip and fol-
| lowed him outside
You have been wounded. dear"
said Rutledge as he studied her
bandaged arm.
Its well | have been" smiled Lib
erty. 'or you would be In danger of
being crushed to DEATH"
Il think we had better go and help
the Captain search fc- that orderly.
Pedro" said the Major.
why. you dear old thing" said Lib
erty as she put out her hand. which
was eagerly grasped by the major.
And you. too. Pedro" she added. as
the faithful slave pressed her hand to
his lips. Then she placed her hand on
his head. "You have saved my life so
| many times it seems as thought right
fully belongs to you" she added
Before Senior Horton died l prom
Use | protect Miss Liberty" he an
swered. 81 must keep my promise"
ave must return home" said Lib
erty. 81 have only slight wound in
the arm and l think. if we take it
slowly. l 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. RutIedge
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. 1t was Manuel apd 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. 1--WE have him in our
power. He can't deny his own hand
| writing
Then. as she heard a door close, Lib
| erty moved away. She walked slowly
| toward the old well. in the center of
the courtyard. bordering over the
words she had just heard.
AS she stood there 'meditating she
| heard someone approaching and as
she turned she saw it was Rutledge.
"Where is the Major?" she inquired.
| 81 left him at the back of the
house." answered Bob. He said he
was going in to see Pancho."
| II think Manuel and his father are
up to something" said Liberty.
| Give me the word and I'll go in and
make them both tell me all about 1t. +"
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 tow.
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 Pan
chic were having a warm session in
the living room of the iatter's quar-
tiers. 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.
well. not exactly that" replied
Pancho. sit concerns Miss Liberty
Miss Liberty. eh?" answered the
Major.
Yes" replied Pancho slowly. "You
remember that, according to the pro
visions in the colonel's will, his daugh
ter was not to marry without the con
sent of both guardians?"
Exactly" agreed the listener.
well. my son is anxious to marry
her." he went on.
How does she feel about it?" In
Quired the Major.
IL don't think he has said anything
to her about it, said the other. 'Yor
see, we thought that we would speaE
to you first, for your consent is neces
sary Then, too, concluded yor
might see your way clear to speak OF
1t approvingly to her,"
Il would never consent to it. Pan
cho." said the Major. with emphasis
What are your objections?" asked
Pancho. He looked worried.