The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1919-07-11

brightly, for moment gentle and fuI,
OF gratitude as they rested upon the
rancher, then very hard as they turned
toward the ceiling.
Ills vaqueros cried out sharply Mt
the sight Of him standing there so un-
expectedly in their midst. From him
they looked to the slender form of the
white-faced girl at the door of a little
closet which De la Guerra had sud-
denly thrown open.
you. senorr' cried Stairway. as.
founded. mot hurt?"
II. senor?" De la Guerra lifted one
white hand, showing for moment
the revolver In It. AT your attack
seized this. One man quleted. In
the rush got Teresa into the closet
there. She, too. is unhurt. And now"
Again his fine old face hardened. his
eyes were burning black pools of mer.
ciless rage. He stepped across the
room. set his hand to n spot which his
thumb found readily, and narrow
door flew back, showing n stairway.
This way, senUr. May l go first?
Thank you. Gaucho, will you stay
with the senorita? Thank you. And,
Senor Stairway, l should be glad to
have you accompany me-"
Already his foot was upon the FIRST
step. Stairway laid a quick hand upon
his arm
Surely YOU do not think Of coming
upon them this way"
surely" smiled the old man, "they
are my guests, l am the host. I am
going to them"
He went slowly up the short flight
OF stairs, Stairway close at his heels,
wondering. At the top was little
door. De In Guerra raped softly with
the barrel of his revolver.
There was sudden silence In the
room, voices dropped to whispers. De
In Guerra Knocked again.
"Well?" 1t was Torres voice,
sharp, impatient. "who Is it2"
at is l, Senor Tore" answered the
old man, quietly. "And l am Antonio
de Ia Guerra. bring my apologies for
being so tardy to wait upon n guest
and | come to talk with you"
Again silence, again hurried whs-
pers, then Tore crying out:
What have you to say? I can put
bullet through the door which will
find you If you will open the safe.
let us take the gold and go: you may
keep the silver and stay. What do you
say?"
De la Guerra laughed softly. And
then, seriously, he answered:
Il say, my dear Senior Tore, YOU
are talking bravely; but that you ut
last are In no position to dictate. 1t Is
l who dictate. Let me come In that
we may talk. or l shall have to have
vidal chop down some more of my
doors. And do not like to do that"
Tore hestated. Why? Stanway
thought because he was studying his
men with those keen eyes Of his, trying
to guess how far he could count on
them now.
Evidently not very far. For in a
moment came his soft laugh, and his
short commando
,"NuneZ, open the door. Let nv
kinsman come just to the threshold.
If any OF his men try to enter-well,
leave them to me! Enter, senOrw
The door slid open. De la Guerra
stepped just to the threshold, Stan
way close behind him.
Good evening, cabnlleros," said the
old Spaniard cOurtcOusly. "Now for
my word with Tore. All of the men
he has brought with him may go free
and unharmed, provided that ! am as
Sured Pedro Celcstino. and poor AL
fredo there will live II any OF them
Is TO die, then the man who has killed
him Is not to go! Juarez may go.
Dcmpton may go"
You are pleased to. be gracious,
my high and mighty kinsmnn :"
sneered Tore impudently. "O-ho.
Scnor Stairway! You are there, too?
Castro" sharply to black-browed
ruffinn at his side, you are the best
marksman | ever saw, and. besides.
YOU are an admirable soldier who
knows how To take n command. If