The Holly chieftain., 1917-03-16

ne ithueT Of tHe TGSosuttpuirtS VIM
none other fhan Juan Lnpez. and his
followers we're holding their meetings
In his camara at the rear Of the Hor-
ton estate. Those who knew the his
tory of Lopez claimed thnf he wns
at one time q member Of the treach-
erous Zapatas and that his only oh
ject In starting a revolution was that
II might give him an opportunity to
place himself in public favor. But.
M to the present he had been handi-
capped becnuse Of his lack of funds
II takes arms and ammunition. In ad-
dition to men. to start revolution.
Finally. Lopez hit upon scheme
which promised to aid him and his
followers. II was near the expiration
Of Liberty's sfny In Albuquerque.
Lopez had religiousiy counted the days
up until the time she WINS expected
10 return. and his wicked heart was
busy In the meantime. He was plot.
ting. II was known to him that Cap
tain Rufledge was very fond Of Lib
erty. and. In all probability he would
20 to Albuquerque to bring her bnck.
Possibly Major Winston would accom-
pany them. A fiesta was being
piunned by Pancho Leon in honor Of
her return. which was to be followed
by a grand ball. Therese was to he
fiberty's maid. Lopez knew that this
Mexican girl was madly In love with
Manuel Leon. But. the son of the
trustee was Infatuated with Liberty.
These things flashed through the evil
mind of the peon as he sat one night
In his camara. and the more he
thought them over the more he was
| convinced that he was going to get
the arms and ammunition he and his
men so much desired.
The next morning he sought the
hut of Tienda Barata. one Of his lead
ers and laid bare his plans.
In the meantime Rutledge had
reached the Winston home In Albu-
querque.
Liberty ran down the steps and
reached the side of his big sOrrel
mare just AZ Rutledge leaped to the
ground.
I'm awfully glad to see you. Cap
tnin." she cried, as she extended her
| hand.
1.-Two can play that game." replied
RutIedge. as he slipped Off his gloves
and grasped her hand. II s,w LOT
of beautiful flowers along the road on
my way down. but they look like
weeds now that I've seen you." he
ndded.
"Oh. Captain" replied Liberty, as
she shook her finger under his nose. II
never knew how sentimental rnng-
er could be until met you." And.
with this. she turned and ran up the
steps. with Rutledge not far behind.
"How Is everything down In Dis
cOvery?" she asked as the Captain
was tusy beating the dust OF his boots
with his sombrero.
| "Ot. you'll be able to recognize 1t
all right" replied Rutledge as he
looked up with smile. "Pnncho mnn-
ngcd to ge. up enough ambition to
build new stable since you left.
But. otherwise the town hasn't changed
/ u ttVtt ucatl.
Dear old Pancho." she added.
thouehtfully. II never could under.
stnnd what father saw in him. But,
he mast have some goodness tucked
away In him somewhere. else futher
wouldn't have made him trustee.
How's Manuel and Lopez and Pedro |
Isn't Pedro the dear old soul2"
"He's the best Mexicnn that ever
crossed the border" replied Rutledge
"Manuel is as lazy us ever and Lopez
just as dominating"
| II don't like the looks of Lopez" !"
she remarked.
'"There's something beneath that fel-
lows black skin that gets on my
nerves." said the Captain. ITS going
to work its way to the top some day.
and when 1t does, want to be in
the neighborhood."
At that moment Major Winston
stepped out on the vernnda.
Hello Rutledge!" he exclaimed as
he Joined them. "Seems to me you're
a good ways from the border" And
he gave the Captain one Of those vice
like grips for which he was noted.
He was tall. middle-aged man. Of
soldiery bearing.
II thought maybe Miss Liberty was
in need of an escort" said Rutledge
MS he glanced at her.
SWELL, you guessed right replied
the Major. Then, as he winked slyly
a Liberty. "But, when 1t comes 10