The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1920-09-23


was new and strange to her. a name
less clutching fear that her varied ex.
periences In the city had never
brought her, an in~sidious, terrible
fright for her bodily safety. Her deli
cate ears, strained under their spun
brown covering of hair-there was no
doubt Of IL; she heard footsteps in
the passage way. Juan Cateras with
his leering, lustful smile was coming
back.
The uncertainty was OF scarcely an
instant. The key turned in the lock
and the door opened. Cateras, smil-
ing, stepped within, calmly closed the
door behind him, and then turned TO
greet the lady. She met his bow with
eyes of firm resolve, though her heart
ached.
why do you come, senor?' she
asked so quietly that the man in sur
prise halted his step forward.
"To keep my word" and his white
teeth cleaned In an effort at pleas
antness. II am always truthful with
your sex; and ! told you / would re-
turn shortly"
yet why?" she insisted, anxious
only TO keep him away as long as pos
sible, and yet enchain his interest.
IF / am prisoner here, | am not your
prisoner. Do you come, then, to serve
me?"
Gar you doubt that, senorita ?"
still e~ndeavoring to retain the mask
he had first assumed. Because cir
cumstances make me defy the lava
mere love of adventure, no more-is
no reason why / should be devoid of
heart and sympathy" He took a step
nearer. II care nothing for this Bill
Lacy-nothing," and he snapped his
fingers derisively. "Why should L?
But, instead. / would be your friend.
The senorita Is an American, and to
her one Of my rae may not appeal,
yet ! would prove my devotion with
my life"
"Your devotion, senor?"
rs not the word expressive? 1 am
OF a Southern race, senorita, and we
d. not calculate-we feel. why, then,
should conceal my e~agerness? 1t is
love which causes me to thus defy all
and offer you freedom"
"Love!" she laughed. "Why. that is
impossible. Surely you only jest,
senior"
The smile deserted his Inns. and
with a quick, unexpected movement
he grasped her hand.
jest! You would call II a lest. You
VIII not think so for long. Why. what
can you do? No; stop shrinking back
from me. 1t will be well that you lis
ten. | come to you with a chance of
escape; will take the risk and pledge
you my aid. | alone can save o
there is no other TO whom You can
turn. In return l but ask my re-
| ward"
She hesitated, her eyes lifting to his
face.
You promise me your assistance?'
Within the hour"
"How? What plan have your
THAT will not tell you must trust
me. l am the lieutenant of Pascual
Mendez.' a touch of pride in his voice.
And my word alone will open the
way. You will conner
wait; l must know more. You say
1t is love which prompts your offer.
senior. cannot understand and even
II this Is true. l must be frank and
honest in my answer do not return
your love-"
Bah! That Is nothing. know
women; they learn love quickly when
the way opens. l am not so i'll 10 look
at, senorita. A kiss now will seal the
bargain! / will wait the rest,
You ask no pledge, then, of me?"
only your consent to accompany
me, and the kiss. Beyond that j take
the gamblers chance. Only you must
say yes or 10 for 1t will require time
for me to clear the road"
1T must be tonight?'
"The sooner b esbetter; they tell me
Lacy win be here himself soon, and
after he comes the one chance is over
with. You will give the kiss?'
DO not ask 1t, senorr'
"Oh, but / will-aye. more, I'll take
1t. A dozen will do no harm. and no
scream from those lips will be heard.
You may as well be nice, my beauty"
She was against the wall, helpless,
and the grip Of his hands was like
steel. His breath was on her cheek:
his eyes burning with lust gazing
straight into her own. Slowly, remorse-
lessly. he bent her head backward I'M
til she feared her neck woulc snap.
Into her terror-stricken mind leaped
the sudden conclusion that resistance
with this beast was futile: she must
outwit him with her brains. Suddenly
relaxing herself. she slipped to the
granite floor OF her knees.
please. please" she begged. II
give In. senior. l give In"
But as she spoke her right hand
closed about a square jagged bit Of
rock.
$50. my pretty" sneered Cnteras,
you have learned that Juan Cateras
Is not a man to rrifie with. 1t Ia well.-
And. releasing his grip upon her. lie
allowed the girl to rise.
Az she stood there in the half HIGHT,
her gray eyes fashins. her young