Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1920-09-17

periences In the city had never
brought her, an insidious, terrible
fright for her bodily safety. Her dell.
cate ears, strained under their spun
brown covering Of hair--there was no
doubt Of it; 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 bis 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.
ITO keep my word" and his white
teeth cleaned in an effort at pleas
antness. Il 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 vet enchain his interest.
IF l am prisoner here, am not your
prisoner. Do you come, then. to serve
me?"
"Can you doubt that. senorita?"
still endeayOring to retain the mask
he had first assumed. Because cir
cumstanees 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-nOthng," and he snapped his
fingers derisively. "Why should /?
But, instead, / would be your friend.
The senorita is an American, and TO
her one of my race may not appeal.
yet l would prove my devotion with
my life."
"Your devotion, senor?"
rs not the word expressive? am
OF Southern race, senorita, and we
d. not calculate-we feel why. then.
should ! conceal my eagerness? 1t IL
love which causes me to thus defy all
and offer you freedom"
ShV A"ukHcua why, IHuI IL
impossible. Surely you only Jest,
Senor."
The smile deserted his lips, and
with a quick, unexpected movement
he grasped her hand.
Jest! You would call 1t a lest. You
VIII not think so for long. why. what
can you dO2 No; stop shrinking back
from me. 1t viii be well that you lis
ten. come to you with chance of.
escape; will take the risk and pledge
you my aid. / alone can save YOU;
there is no other to whom yon can
turn. In return 1 but ask my re-
ward"
She hesItated, her eyes lifting to his
face.
You promise me your asslstance?a
within the hour"
How? What plan have your
THAT I will not tell; yon must trust
me. I am the lieutenant OF pascual
Mendez," a touch OF pride In his voice.
"And my word alone VIII open the
way. You VIII comeT
wait; must know more. You say
1t is love which prompts your offer,
senior. cannot understand; and even
II this is true, must be frank and
honest in my answer do not return
your love-"
BAH That Is nothing. I know
women; they learn love quickly when
the way opens.N am not SO fiji TO look
Mt, senoTita. A kiss now win seal the
bargaInI win wait the rest"
You ask no pledge. then, of meTs
"Only your consent to accompany
me, and the kiss. Beyond that | take
the gamblers chance. Only you must
say yes or no; for II win require time
for me TO clear the road"
1T must be tonightfs
"The sooner the better: they tell me
Lacy viii be here himself soon. and
after he comes the one re Il over
with. You will give tls r
do not ask IL, senor
"Oh, but wilI--aye, more, III take
II. A dozen VIII do no harm. and no
scream from those lips viii 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. reInorse-
lessIy. he bent her head backward nm
I'll she feared her neck HoaI.. snap.
Into her terrOT-stricken mind leaped
the sudden conclusion that resistance
with this beast was futile. she must
outwlt hin with her brains. Suddenly
relaxing herself. she slipped TO tins
granite floor on her knees.
please. please" she begged. =
give in, senior, ] give In"
But an she spoke her right hand
closed about d square jagged BIT d
rock.
$50. my pretty gneered Cateras
''you have learned that Juan Cateras
Is not a man 20 trihe with. II Il we'll
And. releasing his grip upon her, 81