The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1920-11-19
CHAPTER xIl-continued.


He looked up at her, his glance al
most vacant. and she could but per-
ceive how his chin shook.
"What shall we dO?"
"Doi" She gripped his shoulder.
Are you man and ask that2 We
will fight Did you imagine l would
ever surrender myself into the hands
of that devil after what has hap
pened? would rather die; yes, l
will die before he ever puts hand on
me. And what about you, Mr.. Caven-
dish2 Are you going TO lie there mop
Ing? Answer mel thought you were
IA 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 angrily. I'm not that
kind"
~ know It," she admitted. "but you
lose your nerve; this isn't your game.
Well, It isn't mine either, for the mat
ter OF that. Nevertheless II has got
10 be played, and we're going to play
It 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 If we can beat
them back, that will give us breath
Ing spell. Two of us ought to hold
them for some time"
There was 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--Westcott. He would
come; she had faith I'm that-and he
would find she had fought to the end,
even If he came too late. She buried
her face in her hands. sitting Il sob
that shook her body. yet when she lift
I'd her head again there was no glim-
iner OF tears in her eyes and her
tionless, scarcely seeming to breathe
the statue Of woman at bay.
All this was but for a moment, q mo-
ment of swift thought, of equally swift
decision. The next Cavendish stood
beside her, grasplng 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"
He took "a step forward and held out
his hand.
"F0rglve me, Miss Donovan" he
pleaded. Really l 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.
"Of course l forgive you" she ex-
claimed. "Your fear Is no greater
dreuc :"is sort Of thing. All that gives
me courage Is the knowledge that
death Is preferable to dlshonor," her
voice lost Its firmness, "and-and my
faith In a man."
''You mean In possible rescueT
Her eyes lifted to his face.
Eyes, Mr.. Cavendish. 1t may prove
all imagination. yet there Is one-a
real man, am sure--who aust know
of my plight before this. II he does,
and lives, he will come to me II we
can only defend ourselves long enough
there will be rescue
A blow struck the outer door, and
was repeated, evidently dealt by the
butt of gun; then the two standing
silent and almost GREATNESS within,
heard Mendez' voice.
"Senorita. and you also, Senior Cav
endish. called. his words intended
TO be concilatory. at is of no use that
If you surrender md not fight pledge
you protection
The girl glanced at Cavendish.
you answer bun."
"What shall l say? he whispered.
'"The man lies he will keep no
promise once we are In his power. Be
sides they have not yet found Cateras.
When they dc there will be no thought
of mercy"
'Then we will fight Il out?"
II shall;I Will never give myself
into the hands Of that creature"
"Senor." and Cavendish stepped
aside TO the protection of the logs, I'VE
will not surrender. That is our an
swer."
''Foolsw he called back, his voice
rising harsh above the growing OF
others. ave will show you. Silva
Felipe quick now; do what told you
We will teach these Americana dogs q
lesson. No. stand back Wait until
speak the word"
A faint giimmer Of hight through
one OF the log crevices caught Caven
dish's attention and he bent down, his
eye to the crack. one hand grasping the
barrel Of his gun. Stella watched hin
motioniess and silent, her face agair
pale from strain.
Il CA count about . dozen ou