The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1919-06-24
cans, was silent a moment. Finally
he said, turning to Teresa:

cuuaruo naihOn IOrre, 1nS0lent and
debonair, bowling in the doorway, a
fresh, unlighted cigarette between his
fingers. "Buenos dias, Senior ell Capt..
tan"
Captain Juarez stared at him fixed. !
ly, his hard eyes as insolent as those
OF Tore, and made no answer.
II think, senor," went on Tore In |,
mock courtesy, still lounging In the
doorway, "that it is with me that YOU
wish to deal. Am / not right, prima
mia?" lightly to Teresa.
The girls eyes darkened. Juarez
looked from one to another curiOusly. /
Il think" he said slowly, that 1
can have business with no one except
In senorita. She is the one to speak
In case like this one, since the old
senor is not here to speak for himself
and she is his heiress."
Let your keen eyes rest on this"
Tore drew the will from his pocket
and carelessly tossed 1t into Juarez'
lap.
The Mexican looked Mt 1t swiftly.
bis eye ran down the written sheet
and he started palpably when his
glance rested upon the name Eduardo
Ramon Tore.
IL have been misinformed,r he
cried, starting to his feet. 1.-The Sc
norita Is not the heiress. 1t is Senior
Tore who inherits !"
"Seguro," replied Tore. putting out
his shapely hand for the will. "And 1,
senor, am that Senor Tore. Now.
what do YOU want?"
'"This is true, senoritaT Juarez
whirled about, his eyes bright and
hard upon Teresa's.
"You come from papa grande," she
answered him guardedly. did he not
tell you Of a change in his will?"
"We did not speak," Juarez remind
ed her. "As have said. knew that
II would he useless TO talk with him.
He knows only that he Is being held ;
he does not know why. / know only"
and he resOrted to the shrug so much
part of his method of speech, "that
rumor has ii that you are his heiress,
| and this paper states that Tore in
| herits."
"Rumor at times Is misinfOrmed,"
| Tore said smilingly. "You have the
! will and testament itself before you.
II 1t Is sufficiently plain that I and
not the senorita," with an apologetic
bow TO Teresa, represent my kins-
man; trust that you will state your
errand concisely."
| at is this" said Juarez shortly. eel
Senor de la Guerra is held by my
men for ransom. Twenty thousand
dollars will bring him back to you
promptly, without scratch on him.
A refusal to pay will be signal for
his DEATH"
$50" remarked Tore coolly. at Is
| only twenty thousand dollars. You
are modest, senorl"
American money" Juarez added as
coolly.
"American money" nodded Tore.
THAT is better than Mexican pesos.
at any rate. 1t is ut least less insult
ing to my kinsman."
Captain JuareZ made no reply. Te-
resa and Stairway looked at each other
swiftly.
Tore, smiling as though the whole
matter were merely amusing, ad-
dressed himself to the girl.
"Teresita." and she flushed under
the easy familiarity, perhaps the val
liant captain has not yet brcakfasted.
He has n long ride before him and 1t
would be better If he SHOULD not carry
away MISUNDERSTANDING of the De la
Guerra hospitality. Also, while he has
his coffee, you and might discuss
the Situation?"
"Yes," the girl agreed slowly. "That
would perhaps be best" Her hand
went to the bell cord to summon Pc
| dro. 1--WE have just breakfaSted senOr
captain. Ir you will go with Pedro he
will see that you are served. And Sc
nor Tore, Senor Stairway and myself
can avail ourselves of the time to
come to n decision"
The captain bowed. and with no hes
itation turned his back on them to
| follow the servant to the dining room.
| Tore came in, sat down, crossing his
legs with elaborate care to the crease
in his trousers. and favored Stairway
with look which Knocked openly.
"An interesting situation, is 1t not,
senorT he asked lightly.
"An extremely hazardous game you
are playing, Torre," cried Stairway an
grily.
"I?" Tore lifted his brows. "Tt
Is not I who play. 1t is l who watch
the game"
"Watch the pawns your own fine
hand has set moving" was Stanway's
heated retort. 'Do you think that you
can get away with thing Of this
kind. Tore? Why, man, 1t smells to