The Lamar register., 1919-07-30

speck Of dust, his fine white mustnch,.
cuIled nicely. his eyes glowing very
brightly, for moment gentle and full
of gratitude Us they rested upon the
rancher, then very hard as they turned
toward the ceiling.
His vaqueros cried out sharply ut
the sight of him standing there so un-
expectedly in their midst. From him
they looked TO the slender form of the
white-faced girl at the door of u little
closet which De la Guerra had sud
denly thrown open.
you. senorl" cried Stairway. as
founded. mot hurt2"
81. senor?" De la Guerra lifted one
white hand. showing for a moment
the revolver in II. AT your attack
seized this. One man l quieted. In
the rush got Teresa into the closet
there. She. too, II unhurt. And now"
Again his fine old face hardened. his
eyes were burning black pools OF mer-
clless rage. He stepped across the
room. set his hand TO spot which his
thumb found readily. and a narrow
door few back. showing a stairway.
This way. senOr. May | go trstf
Thank you. Gaucho. will you stay
with the senorital Thank you. And.
Senor Stairway. I should be glad to
have you accompany me-"
Already his foot was upon the first
step. Stairway laid u quick hand upon
his arm.
surely you do not think of coming
upon them this way"
surely" smiled the old man. 'they
are my guests. ! am the host. l ain
going to them"
He went slowly up the short flight
OF stairs. Stairway close at his heels,
wondering. At the top was little
door. De Ia Guerra raped softly with
the barrel OF his revolver.
There wns sudden silence In the
room. voices dropped to whispers. De
la Guerra knocked again.
"wellT' II was Torres voice.
sharp. Impatient. "whO is itf'
at is !. Senior Torre." answered the
old man. quietly. "And I am Antonio
de la Guerra. | bring my apologies for
being 80 tardy to wait upon II guest
and | come to talk with you"
Again silence. again hurried whls-
pers. then Tore crying out:
"What have you to sayf ! can put
a Dullet through the door which will
find you'll II you will open the safe.
let us take the gold and 90; you may
keep the silver and stay. What do you
sayf"
De la Guerra laughed softly. And
then. seriously. he answered:
Il say. my dear Senior Tore. you
are talking bravely: but that you at
last are In no position to dictate. II Is
who dictate. Let me come In thar
we may talk, or ! shall have TO have
Vidal chop down some more of my
doors. And do not like to do that"
Tore hesitated. why7 Stanway
thought because he was studying his
men with those keen eyes Of his trying
to guess how far he could count on
them now.
Evidently not very far. For in u
moment came his soft laugh, and his
short command:
"Nunez. open the door. Let my
kinsman come just to the threshold.
II any of his men try to enter-well.
leave them to met Enter. senorr'
The door slid open. De la Guerra
stepped just to the threshold Stan
way close behind him.
Good evening. caballeros." said the
old Spaniard courteously. "Now for
my word with Tore. All of the men
he has brought with him may go free
and unharmed, provided that l am AS
sured Pedro Celestino. and poor Al
fredo there will live. II any OF them
is TO die. then the man who has killed
him is not to go Juarez may go.
Dempton may 60"
you are pleased to be gracious.
my high and mighty kinsmanl" !"
sneered Tore Impudently. "O-ho.
Senior Stanwayl You are there. too1
Castro" sharply to black-browed
ruffian at his side. you are the best
marksman | ever saw. and. besides.
you are an admirable soldier who
knows how to take a, command. II
the Senior Stanway moves u hand or
takes step this way Will you blow
his brains out for me?"
Castro's answer was TO fling down
his revolver SO that 1t ratified noisily