The Washington times., 1919-07-03
HEARTS OF THREE
Francis Battle With Foes Gives
LeOncia and Henry Chance to Flee,
But Latter Turns Back
BY JACK LONDON.

took the back-trail. Five minute
afterward Leoncia, no less anxious
than he for Francis safety, tried to
turn her horse about. But the AMI
NAL, eager for the companionship
OF its mate ahead, refused to obey
therein, cut up and pranced and
deliberately settled into q balk.
Dismounting and throwing her
reins on the ground in the Pana-
manian method OF lettering . saddle
horse, Leoncia took the back trail
on foot. So rapidly did she follow
Henry that she was almost tread
ing on his heels when he encoun-
tered Francis and the peon. The
next moment both Henry and Fran
els were Gliding her for her con-
duct, but in both their voices was
the involuntary tenderness Of love,
which pleased neither to hear the
other uttering.
An UntO0ard CIreumstanee-
Their hearts more active than
their heads. they were caught in
total surprise by the party OF ha-
ciendados that dashed out upon
them with covering rifles from the
surrounding jungle. Despite the
fact that they had thus captured
the runaway peon. whom they pro
ceeded to kick and cuff. all would
have been well with Leoncia and
the two Morgans had the owner OF
the peon. the old-time friend Of the
SoIano family, been present. But
an attack OF the malarial fever.
which was his due every third day.
had stretched him out in a chill
near the burning OH field.
Nevertheless, though by their
blows they reduced the peOn to
weepings and pleadings on his
knees, the haciendados were cour-
teousIy gentle to Leoncia and quite
decent to Francis and Henry. ever
though they tied the hands OF the
latter two behind them in prepare
ton for the march up the rayinc
slope to where the horses had been
left. But upon the peon, with
Latin-American cruelty, they con
tinued to reiterate their rage.
Yet were they destined to arrive
nowhere, by themselves. with their
captives. Shouts OF Joy heraided
the debouchment upon the scene OF
the Jefe's gendarmes and OF the Jefe
and Alvarez Torres. Arose at once
parties OF purEuers trying to ex-
plain and demanding explanation At
one and the same time.
And while the barrage Of all
talking simultaneously and OF no
one winning. anywhere in under
standing made anarchy OF speech.
Torres, with a nod to Francis and q
sneer OF triumph to Henry, ranged
before Leoncia and bowed low to
her in true and deep hidalgo court
esq and respect
'Listen," he said low-voiced, as
she rebuffed him with an arm move
ment for Fepulsion. do not mis-
understand me. Do not mistake me
am here to save you, and, noamat-
ter what may happen. to protect
you. You are the lady of my dreams.
will die for you-yes, and gladly.
though far more gladly would I
live for you.
Il do not understand" she replied
curtly. ct do not see life or death
in the issue. We have done no
wrong. I have done no wrong, nor
has my father. Nor has Francis
Morgan, nor has Henry Morgan
Therefore. sir. the matter is not a
question OF life or death"
Henry and Francis. shoulderfng
close to Leoncfa, on either side, lis
tened and caught through the hub
ble-bubble OF many voices the con-
of Leoncia and Torres.
at is a question absolute OF GER
tain death by execution for Henry
Morgan" Torres persisted. Proven
beyond doubt in his conviction for
the murder Of Alfaro Solano. who
was your own full-blood uncle
and your fathers own full-blood
brother. There is no chance to save
Henry Morgan. But Francis Nor
gan can I save in all surety. If
"If?" Leoncia queried, with al
most the snap Of jaws OF a she
leopard.
His Condition.
eff. you prove kind to me. and
marry me-. Torres said with mag
nificent steadiness, although two
Gringos, helpless, their hands tied
behind their backs, glared at him
their eyes their common
desire for his immediate extinction.
Torres in a genuine outburst Of
his passion, though his rapid
chances had assured him OF the
Of the two MorEans,
seized her hands in his and urged:
"Leoncia, as your husband might
be able to do something for Henry.
Even may it be possible for me to
save his life and his neck. il he will
yield to leaving Panama immedi-
ately."
you Spanish dogw Henry snarled
at him, struggling with his tied
hands behind his back in an effort
to free them.
"Gringo cur" Torres retortcd, as.
with an open-baCk- handed blow, he
struck Henry on the mouth.
On the instant Henry's sOot shot
out and the kick in TOrres's side
drove him staggering in the dirsc-
ton OF Francis, who was no less
quick with a kick OF his own. Back
and forth like a shuttlecock be-
tween the battIedores, Torres was
kicked from one man to the othe:,
until the gendarmes seized the two
and began to beat them In
their helplessness. Torres not only
urged the gendarmes on. but him
self drew a knife; and red tragedy
might have happened with offended
blood up and rag
ing. had not a score or more OF
armed men silently appeared and
silently taken charge OF the situa-
ton. Some OF the mysterious new
were clad in cotton sing
let's and trousers. and others were
in cOwled gabardines OF sackeloth.
The gendarmes and haciendados
recoiled in fear, crossing them
selves, muttering prayers and ejac-
ulating: The Blind Brigand,"
The Cruel Just One1' They are