The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1919-06-17

Spanish and not an American citizen"
How kind and thoughtful you are,
Senor Stairway" she mockcd him. "Do
you find 1t necessary, every time you
come across young woman who
needs protection, to marry herr"
His mood did not soften with hers
this time. In Billy Stanway's own
words, "he meant business"
Your grandfather has already lost
cattle to the raiders" he told her. eff
is known all over this end of the state
that he is his own banker-that he
always has large amount of gold
ana silver in the house.
Some night he is going he called
upon for something more than lust
COWS to feed the hungry rebels. And
then"
Then | should he protectcd?" She
murmurcd dcmurcly. ~ should he
married TO an American whose mighty
nation is feared 10y the Mcxicans?
That is 1t, no? Bucno. Does Scnor
Stairway know my kinSman. Eduardo
Ramon Tore? He is q Span!ard, of
oiue-blood old Of Castle, senor. And
he is naturalIzed American citizen.
He"
"Is ID young puppy, snapped
Stanway irrltably.
with u.s." said Miss Teresa stiff,y.
"one does nst swear in the presence
OF lady Nor does he insult her
through her kinsmen."
II beg pardon-honestly do. Tere-
sita,' Stairway fastened to say. "But
you shouldn't mention the young rep
robate's name If you don't want me
TO swear. and you know It, Now I'm
coming up"
His hand was again among the vines
seeking hold somewhere and being
mocked by the smooth adobe wall.
Teresa de Ia Guerra. alarmed, was
upon her feet protesting. And then:
"Sh" she called down to him. ut
Is papa grande. l heard him call An.
other time, SenOr Billy. Some other
night-maybc tomorrow. who knows
and l shall steal out for little walk
with you. l must go now. Buenas
nochcS, SenOr Billy"
1t was softly said. and there was
the carcSs of the soft southern speech.
Il am coming, too" he called up 10
her. And she knew that he meant
what he said. 81 shall come around
to the patio and so to the front door.
] am going TO talk with your grand
father tonight, Teresa minew
A laugh flOated out and down To
him, rose fell, striking against his
cheek. there was the glimmcr and rut-
ter of mantilla among the vines, and
the girl had stepped back through the
window. closing 1t behind her.
She stood moment. hoSitnnt, her
cheek little pale. Then the thought
that even now Stairway was ON his
way around the great house to the
patio drove her in haste first to her
mirror and the rcarranging of her hair
the rose vine had disturbed then to a
quick descent of the broad stairway
To the main floor.
The utter stiffness of the drawing
room Smutc her as She entered. The
candles We're like Shimmorny ghosts.
DE la Guerra was not in the room.
Immediately she was d!mlv con
SclouS of an unreasonable sense of un-
"aSlncSS, even before She had the
raGUcSt reason for it.
And then the reason asserted itself
chair lay ovcrthrown, little way
from tn" chair rug was crumplrd
ana thrown back the ink bottle which
had been upon The table lay upon the
floor
As her eyes saw her brain under
stood.
And as she stared, before her voice
had found its way to her lips, She
heard sharp knocking at the front
door.
She ran to it swiftly, threw it wide
and whispered fearfully:
"S"nor Billy. am frightened.
Look ="
He looked the way her pointing fin
ger went, moment in frOwning fail
urc to comprehend. then in sudden
black anger.
You mean" he cried sharply.
YES" she whispered. clinging 10
his arm. "A moment ago | heard him
call out. IL was talking with you
and did not heed but there was anger
In his voice. | came down and-look,
he is gone, There was struggle
see the chair thrown down, the rug,
the ink spilled thcrer
Stanway left her side Striding alb
ruptly TO where the bottle lay.
There was dark smear on the car.
pet near II. He leaned over il, StOop-
ing, seeing the candles reelected from
the dark surface.
And his face. too. was very white
aS he Strengthened up, drawing deep