The Adair County news. [volume] (Columbia, Ky.) 1897-1987, 1919-06-18
CHAPTER v.
The Game Beuins.

ne Game Begins.
Teresa de la Guerra's face went red
and white, and Tore, seeing, smiled
She heard in the words only an in.
suit to her beloved papa grande, know.
ing as she so well knew that of all
men the old Spaniard hated his AFRO
CANT young kinsman most implacably
1--WE don't understand" she said
presently, turning her back upon the
man at table and addressing Stairway
Perhaps Captain Juarez' call will
clear matters for US. VIII you come
with me, Senior Stanwayr"
Torres face darkened as he watched
them go out together.
In the drawing room, in nuch worn
uniform bespeaking his rank, a very
broad, heavy-set Mexican, swarthy
Manufactured, keen-eyed, was waiting.
He bowed deeply as they entered.
"SenOrita," he said briskly, his eyes
disregarding Stairway and resting
upon the girls face in a keen regard,
"it is an unpleasant duty which
brings me here this morning"
BE seated" she said quietly, going
to chair. "But first, Captain Juarez,
this is my friend, Senior Stairway of
the Painted Rock rancho"
The two men bowed coolly. Stan
way remained standing near the girls
chair, while Juarez sat down.
"We of poor Mexico" said the cap
tain shortly, "are fighting hard for a
dear cause. We sacrifice ourselves,
our hopes, our homes for the thing
we love most, senorita.
"And that is our country. We do
things which we do not like to do
simply because it is our duty to take
any opportunity which chance gives us
to free the neck of our land from the
foot of the tyrant."
Teresa bowed.
"And you have called this morn.
ing; you have crossed the border"
AT the behest of Mexican's duty.
Senorita, your grandfather is we'll and
sends his love to you"
'Tell me-" she cried impetuously.
"where is he?"
Many miles beyond the border" he
answered succinctly. "In the hands
of friends-if he accedes to our de-
mands," significantly.
"And those demands?" curiously.
Il have not as yet made of him." re-
turned the captain. "Allow me to ex-
plain, senorita. 1 know Senior de la
Guerra, if not personally at least very
well by repute. know that he does
not love my Mexico, and that he is
very stubborn.
Our cause needs money and he has
1t in great, unnecessary quantities.
Had made a demand upon him
for note to you, stating that he was
held for ransom and urging you to pay
1t, know that he would have refused.
So come straight to you, without so
much as a word to him, informing Won
that unless the money is sent immedi-
ately-"
He broke off, struggling his shout
ders.
you realize, senor," broke in STAN
way coOlly, ''that this is rather an IN
usual sort of thing at this day? That
1t Is not without danger to you? If
the senorita were not disposed to give
what you ask, if on the other hand
We held you for the crime you have
committed"
Again the captain shrugged.
1T would mean Imprisonment for
me, or perhaps DEATH" he answered
promptly. Things which a soldier
faces every day of his life and grows
to think nothing about. And-pardon
me, senorita-it would mean the death
of the Senior de la Guerra"
Again a little SILVER tremb,ed
through the frame of the girl. STAN
way, his eyes steady upon the Next
cans, was silent a moment. Finally
ne said, turning to Teresa:
Before you give this gentleman his
answer, senorita, may 1 ask for few
words with your"
May ] interrupt again?" It was
Ramon Tore, insolent and |
debonair, bowling in the doorway,
fresh, unlighted cigarette between his
fingers. "Buenos dias, Senior ell Capt.
TAM"