Gilpin observer., 1919-08-07
/ Dice of Destiny
BY JACKSON GREGORY


I Shortly before midnight they had
come upon three men, ragged, ugly.
looking Mexicans, sleeping about a
camp fire which was fast dying. The
men knew nothing or professed at
ignorance, Stairway could not tell
which.
After that nothing, although they
had pushed many miles into the Mexi-
can country until they realized the ut
ter uselessness Of riding farther.
1--WE may as well 60 back. Gaucho, I"
Stairway said - last. -.They win want
ransom. suppose. When they speak
We'll know what to do
And reluctantly, his face black with
the wrath upon him, Gaucho Morales
called to his men to turn back.
The sunlight lay bright and warm
upon the oranges and their blossoms
when they rode back to the rancho.
Stanway threw himself from the
saddle. bit stiff from long hours Of
hard riding.
Then, walking slowly now, loath to
greet Teresa de la Guerra with news
of their failure. he came into the patio.
She was there waiting for him.
Nothing" he blurted out. 1--WE
have found nothing"
II know" she said quietly. She
came toward him. putting out her
hands. you have been good to MS,
Senior Billy"
He laughed a bit awkwardly.
II don't know how" he retorted. II
have done nothing. You have not been
molested here7"
She hesitated. He saw Q quick
frown gather her bfows. Then,
speaking lightly. she replied, saying:
mo. But come; you must be hun
CRY and tired out Coffee Is ready"
He went with her to the broad-open
doors.
'Torre is herei" he asked, his eyes
intent upon her face.
The frown came again. and was
gone quickly. But he had seen It.
HE is here. yes. Asleep. think.
He was wounded. You known
HE is not badly hurtr
Her tired eyes, into which sleep had
not come during the long night, grew
brightly contemptuous.
1T is only his beauty which is
harmed" she said swiftly.
Good morning. prima miai" called
a deep. laughing voice. "Ah. still with
us. Senior Stanwayf"
Tore, debonair in the dark, youth
full beauty Of him, greeted them at the
doorway.
Certainly Senior Stanway is still
with u.s." said Teresa coolly. HE is
my guest. my grandfather's friend.
Senor Torrew
Tore laughed and lifted his shoul-
ders.
"Enter," he said with a graciousness
which was in some strange way vague
ly insulting; 1t was as though he were
the master here, and because of his
generosity not only Stairway but the
girl as well were allowed upon the
premises.
| Now 1t was Teresa who flushed.
"Come. Senior Billy" she said qui.
etly. 1--WE are going to have coffee
together"
For the fraction Of a second the
two men stood fronting each other,
their level eyes filled with challenge,
with a mistrust which was little less
than hatred.
Then the Spaniard, bowling again,
turned away, with slight smile play
ing under the small, pointed mustache,
and Stairway followed his hostess.
Pedro himself superintended the
serving Of the simple breakfast.
"Senorita." Stairway said at last,
pushing back his chair, ~ should like
to go back to the drawing room. There
might be something there to give us
hint that will help u.s.
"Si," she said II had thought of
that. looked last night carefully
after you had gone"
"You found nothing3
Nothing that could understand" !"
she answered quietly. Something ]
could not"
He looked up ut her quickly. his
eyes full Of question.
'"This," she answered, not waiting
for him to speak.
She placed a folded paper before
him. He glanced at It, frowned,
looked again, and turned once more
: to her.
1T is his will. Dated last night.
But why has he made new onef"
Read It," as quietly as before,
though her eyes were Frightening with
some surge Of emotion he could NOT
guess.