The St. Mary banner., 1919-08-30
CHAPTER I!I-Continued.
"Twenty- y-fve," replied Gaucho


promptly.
"Good." cried Stairway. "Takt
twenty men with you; send the othel
dve to the house. Pronto, Gaucho."
Gaucho turned and ran. calling tt
his vaquerOs as he went.
"Pedro," called Stairway to the chief
of the house servants.
"Aqui, senOr"
"Have the doors and windows shut
the shutters locked. When Gaucho
sends the five men, put one Of them
upon the senorita's balcony, the 9th
ers at the windows, especially the
south windows, Pedro. Then put out
all the candles and be silent, all of
YOU
mo one goes to bed again tonight.
Each one, man and woman. find gun
Of some sort. / do not think that
there is danger, but remember that
the border is just there, remember
that they have taken the good senior
from you, remember that we are leav-
ing the senorita in your protection"
He spoke swiftly and turned to
follow Gaucho out into the dark. Te-
resa, who had been watching him in
silence, came to him and put her hand
upon his arm.
"Senor Billy" she whispered. you
are going with GauchO and the restw
"Yes." he answered shortly. You
are safe here; they do not dare an
open attack In United States territory.
And no doubt we shall be back before
morning."
what have they done with him?"
she was asking, trying to speak stead
iy what do you think-did they"
She broke off He could see her
lips trembling. One of the Indian
women, through habit beginning to
tidy the room, moved the rug Stairway
had placed by the table, discovered
the stain, went down on her hands
and knees, and then rose with
shrek.
"Sangre" she cried. "Jesus Maria
Sta muerto! He is dead. They have
killed him. The beloved senior, who
was SO good"
StanWay strobe back to her, taking
her by the shoulders and commanding
her to stop her noise and go help Pc
gro lock the doors and windows. But
Teresa had heard; they had all heard.
Sne stood very still then, looking
taii and slender and white.
TO to the doors and windows as
Inc American senior commands" she
SAD steadily. Leave no light to show |
.hat anyone is awake. Do whatever |
.edro tells you to do, in swiftness and
~ silence. l shall come to see what |
sou are doing in moment now. Go"
!ney left as she commanded. in
e"ntness and silence. The doors
s'osed behind them, and Teresa turned
.el great eyes, full Of dread and suf-
'erlng, upon Stairway.
lou saw it before?v
ne nodded.
himT A''ie"
!, NO, he cried, more assurance in
- voice than In his heart. ut means
Dning II there is little blood after
~ nave struggled as they must have
sne n. mere. And If they killed him,
!. ~ why carry the body with them?
= Is alive; he must be-"
she answered, II should feel
see' Her hands were pressed tight
~ ner breast. Now go with them
Or - BILLY You are good to u.s."
!. uood to myself" he laughed back
! sef' trying to speak easily.
.nWay passed out into the patio.
q ug toward the corrals where he
ei1 MS own horse saddled under
u. Us oak. AS he ran he heard the .
- = voice calling to him: {
s'nember, Senior Billy, that you
nng across the border tonight 1
ae1ican territory. There Is dan
uefe. And-well. perhaps there I
Il Who will pray for your speedy t
afe return"
saW the futter Of her gown {