Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1919-08-14

IreSn, unllShted cigarette between his
fingers. "Buenos dias, Senior Ell Capt..
tam"
Captain Juarez staaed at him fixed.
ly, his hard eyes as nsolent as those
of Tore, and made no answer
II think, senor," went on Tsre in
mock courtesy, still lounging in the
doorway, chat it is with me that you
wish to deal. Am I not right, prima
mia?" lightly to Teresa.
The girls eyes darkened. Juarez
looked from one to another curiously.
II think" he said slowly, shat l
can have business with no one except
la senorita. She is the one to speak
in a case like this one, since the old
senior is not here to speak for himself
and she is his heiress."
s'Let your keen eyes rest on this"
Tore drew the will from his pocket
and carelessly tossed it into Juarez'
lap.
The Mexican looked at it swiftly,
his eye ran down the written sheet,
and he started palpably when his
glance rested upon the name Eduardo
Ramon Tore.
II have been misinformed." he
cried, starting to his feet. "The Sc
norita is not the heiress. It is Senior
Tore who inheritsT
"Seguro," replied Tore, putting out
his shapely hand for the will. "And I,
senior, am that Senior Tore. Now,
what do you want?"
"This is true, senoritaY" Juarez
whirled about, his eyes bright and
hard upon Teresa's.
"You come from papa grande," she
answered him guardedly. did he not
tell you of a change in his will?"
"We did not speak," Juarez remind
ed her. Gas I have said, I knew that
it would be useless to talk with him.
He knows only that he is being held ;
he does not know why. I know only"
and he resorted to the shrug so much
a part Of his method of speech, "that
rumor has it 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.
If it is sufficiently plain that I and
not the senorita," with an apologize
bow to Teresa, represent my kins-
! man,; I trust that you will state your
errand concisely."
"It is this" said Juarez shortly. "El
Senior de la 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 a signal for
his DEATH"
49," remarked Tore coolly. "It is
only twenty thousand dollars. You
are modest, senor!"
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. TIE.
resa and Stairway looked at each other
swiftly.
Tore, smiling as though the whole
matter were merely amusing, ad'
dressed himself to the girl.
"Teresita," and she flushed under
the easy familiarity, perhaps the val
liant captain has not. yet breakfasted
He has a long ride before him and il
would be better if he should not carry
away a misunderstanding Of the De ls
] Guerra hospitality. Also, while he has
his coffee, you and I might discuss
the situation?"
eyes," the girl agreed slowly. "Tha1
would perhaps be best" Her hant
went to the bell cord to summon Pc
dro. "We have just breakfasted, senol
captain. If you will go with Pedro HI
will see that you are served. And Sc
nor Tore, Senior Stairway and mysel:
can avail ourselves of the time tt
come to a decision"
The captain bowed, and with no hes
itation turned his back on them t,
follow the servant to the dining room
Tore came in, sat down, crossing hi
legs with elaborate care to the GREASE
in his trousers, and favored Stanwa.
with a look which Knocked openly.
IAN interesting situation, is it not
senor?" he asked lightly.
"An extremely hazardous game 70,
are playing, Tore" cried Stairway an
grily.
~" Tore lifted his brows. II
is not I who play. 1t is I who watcl
the gam&"
"Watch the pawns your own fin
hand has set moving!" was Stairway
heated retort. do you think that yol
can get away with a thing Of thi
kind, Tore? Why, man, it smells t.
heaven"
DETERMINATIONS aside-at least shall
we postpone them? There is a crisis
demanding attention. Now" lifting
his hand against Stanway's words, "
have a proposition to make-to you
uSnuaB -