The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1919-07-24

it would be 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 80 much
a part Of his method Of speech, shat
rumor has 1t 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 II is sufficiently plain that I and
not the senorita." with an apologize
bow to Teresa, represent my klns-
man; I trust that you will state your
errand concisely."
1T Is this" said Juarez shortly. "El
Senior de Ia Guerra Is held by my
men for ransom. Twenty thousand
dollars will bring him back to you
promptly, without a scratch on him.
A refusal TO pay will be q signal for
his death"
$50" remarked Tore coolly. ut 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 at 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, adj
dressed himself to the girl.
"Teresita." and she flushed under
the easy familiarity, perhaps the val
liant captain has not yet breakfasted.
He hasa long ride before him and II
would be better If he should not carry
away . misunderstanding OF the De la
Guerra hospitality. Also, while he has
his coffee, you and i might discuss
the situationr'
Eyes" the girl agreed slowly. "That
would perhaps be best" Her hand
went to the bell cord to summon Pc
dro. I'VE have just breakfasted, senoi
captain. II you will go with Pedro he
will see that you are served. And Sc
nor Tore. Senior Stairway and myself
can avail ourselves Of the time to
come to q 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
L.. 18th nIohnroto ooro - <ho n~ona.
in his trousers, and favored Stairway
with a look which Knocked openly.
"An interesting situation, Is 1t not,
senor?" he asked lightly.
IAN extremely hazardous game you
are playing, Tore" cried Stairway an
grily.
Up Tore lifted his brows. "t
Is not l who play. 1t is l who watch
the game"
watch the pawns your own fine
hand has set movingt" was Stanway's
heated retort. "Do you think that you
al get away with a thing of this
kind, Torref Why, man. it smells to
heavenr !"
determinations aside-at least shall
we postpone them? There is a crisis
demanding attention. Now" lifting
his hand against Stanway's words, n
have a proposition to make--to you,
! Teresa"
"What is itf" she asked coldly.
Merely this: AS heir to the De Ia
Guerra estate / may be a prejudiced
person. You. with no personal inter.
est" and a quick light fiicked In his
eyes at the girls wincing at his words.
"are the one to decide. Shall the cap
taln's request be granted? 1 leave It
to you, senorita. Entirely to you"
Teresa bit her lip, the color surgine
angrily into her cheeks. She saw the
trap as plainly as did Tore. as plainly
as Stairway saw 1t. And she did not
see the answer to make.
1T is perhaps not impossible" went
on Tore evenly. that a large part Of
the sum mentioned is now on the
premises. We all know that my kins.
man has always been his own banker;
that he at all times has been able ia
produce q large amount OF gold at .
moments notice.