The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1919-07-17
Dice of Destiny
BY JACKSON GREGORY


| Shortly before midnight they hao
come upon three men. ragged. ugly.
looking Mexicans, sleeping about a
camp fire which was fast dying. The
men knew nothing or prosessed al
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 20 back, Gaucho,"
Stairway said at last. 'They viii want
ransom, / suppose. When they speak
Well 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
Stairway threw himself from the
saddle, a 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. "We
have found nothing"
IL know" she said quietly. She
came toward him, putting u her
hands. you have been good to us.
Senior Billy"
He laughed a bit awkwardly.
II don't know how" he retorted. ~
have done nothing. You have not been
molested here?"
She hesitated. He saw a quick
frown gather her brows. 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 here?" he asked, his eyes
intent upon her face.
The frown came again, and was
gone quickly. But he had seen 1t.
"He is here, yes. Asleep, l think
He was wounded. You known
"He is not badly hurt?"
Her tired eyes, into which sleep hac
not come during the long night, grew
brightly contemptuous.
1T is only his beauty which il
harmed" she said swiftly.
"Good morning. prima mia !" called
a deep, laughing voice. "Ah. still with
MS. Senior Stanway2"
Tore, debonair In the dark, youth
full beauty Of him, greeted them at the
doorway.
Certainly Senior Stairway Is still.
with u.s." said Teresa coolly. HE Is
my guest, my g~randfather's friend
Senior Tore"
Tore laughed and lifted his Shout
ders.
Enter" he said with a g~raciousness
which was in some strange way vague
ly insulting; 1t was as though he wert
the master here, and because of his
generosity not only Stairway but the
girl as well we're allowed upon the
premises.
Now It was Teresa who flushed
Come. Senior Billy" she said quis
city. 1--WE are going to have coffee
together"
For the fraction Of a second the
two men stood fronting each other
their level eyes filed with challenge
with a mistrust which was little less
than hatred.
Then the Spaniard. bowling again
turned away, with a slight smile play
ing under the small, pointed mustache
and Stairway followed his hostess.
Pedro himself superintendent tho
serving of the simple breakfast.
~Senorita." Stairway said at last
pushing back his chair, II should like
to go back to the drawing oom There
might be something there to give VI
a hint that will help US"
"Si," she said, II had thought OF
that. hooked last night carefully
after you had gone"
"You found noth:ng?"
Nothing that i could understand
she answered quietly. Something
could not"
He looked up at her quickly, his
eyes full of question
'This," she answered. not waiting
for him to speak.
She placed q folded paper before
him. He glanced at It, frowned
looked again. and turned nce more
to her.
1T 10 his will. Dated last night
But why has be made . new oneT'
Read It." as quietly as before
though her Eyes were Frightening with
ANNA anrre az emotion he could m