Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1920-10-01
CHAPTER xII--continued.

sudden | got no aim. Do you hear
those voices? There must be dozen
OF the band outside already"
He looked up at her. his glance al
most vacant, and she could but per-
ceiye how his chin shook.
"What shall we do?"
DOR She gripped his shoulder.
Are you man and ask that? We
will fightl Did you imagine would
ever surrender myself into the hands
of that devil after what has hap
pened? / would rather die; yes, |
will die before he ever puts hand on
me. And what about you. Mr.. Caven-
dish2 Are you going TO lie there mop
ing7 Answer mel thought you were
"a gentleman"
The words were like blow in his
face, and under their sting he stag
gered to his feet: scarlet blazed in
both his cheeks.
"You have no right to say that to
me-" he said angrlly. "I'm not that
kind"
4 know It," she admitted. 'but you
lose your nerve; this isn't your game.
Well, II isn't mine either, for the mat
ter of that Nevertheless 1t has got
to be played. and we're going to play
1t together. Those fellows will be at
that door presently-just as soon as
Mendez tells them who are inside here.
They'll try us once and, IL we can beat
them back, that win give us a breath
ing spell Two OF us ought to hold
them for some time
There was a shouting Of commands
without In Spanish, punctuated by
Oaths, the meaning of which the girl
alone understood. She leaned for
ward, her eyes on the door. the cooked
revolver held ready. She had meant
what she said to Cavendish; to her
mind death was far preferable to any
surrender to that Infatuated Mexican;
she expected death, but one hope yet
buoyed her up-W estcott. He would
come; she had faith in that-and he
would find she had fought to the end,
even IL he came too late. She buried
her face In her hands, sitting sob
that shook her body, yet when she lift
ed her head again there was no glim-
mer of tears In her eyes and her
cheeks were crimson. She waited mo-
tionless, scarcely seeming to breathe
the statue Of q woman at bay.
All this was but for moment, mo-
ment Of swift thought, of equally swift
decision. The next Cayendish stood
beside her, grasptng the shotgun, no
longer victim Of weakness, his eyes
meeting hers eagerly.
Il could only find twelve cartridges"
he exclaimed, but know how to use
those"
lie took step forward and held out
his hand.
Forgive me. Miss Donovan" he
pleaded. .ReaIIy do not know what
makes me like that, but you would
make man out Of anybody"
Her firm, slim fingers met his eager
". her eyes instantly glowing in ap-
probation.
's0f course forgive YOU" she ex-
claimed. "Your fear is no greater
than my own. am a woman and
dread tNse sort Of thing. All that gives
me courage is the knowledge that
death Is preferable to dishonor,n her
voice lost It's flrnness, "and-and my
faith In man.
"You mean In possible rescueg
Her eyes lifted to his face.
yes, Mr.. Cavendish It may prove
all imagination, yet there is one-a
real man, | am sure-who must know
Of my plight before this. If he does,
and lives he will come to me. If we
can only defend ourselves long enough
there Will be rescue"
A blow struck the outer door. and
WINS repeated, evidently denlf by the
butt of gun; then the two, standing
silent and almost. GREATNESS within,
heard Mendez' voice.
sSenorita, and you also. Senior Cav
endish." lie called, his words Intended
20 be conciliatory III Is of no use that
You resist. We are many and armed.
II You surrender and not fight pledge
you protection.
The girl glanced at Cavenaish.
You answer him."
-What shall say2s he whispered.
'aThe man lies; he will Keep no
promise once we are in his power. Be
sides they have not yet found Cuteras.
When they do there will be no thought
Of mercy"
-4Then we win fight It out"
II shall; will never give myself
into the hands Of that creature
.sSenoE" and Gayendlsh stepped
aside TO the protection Of the logs, I'VE
VIII not surrender. That is our an.
oyer"
atrooIsln he called back. his voice
rising harsh above the growing OF
others. ..AVe will show yon. Silva,
Felipe, quick now. do what / told you.
we viii teach these Americana dogs j
lesson. No stand back Wait until
speak the word
"A faint gEimmer Of light through
one. of the log crevIces caught Caven-
u ~ "A ta liant aa44tY hts