The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1920-09-23

CTepl lne HEHt Ol leTTOTi leTIoI lhuh
was new and strange to her, name
less clutchlng fear that her varied ex-
perlences Ia the city had never
brought her, an insidious, 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.
ITO keep my word" and his white
teeth cleaned In an effort Mt pleas
antness. 81 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?"
"Can you doubt that, senorlta"
still endeavoring to retain the mask
l,, Ill.
cumstances make me defy the lava
mere love of adventure, no more-is
no reason why l should be devoid of
heart and sympathy" He took step
nearer. ~ 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 race may not appeal,
yet I would prove my devotion with
my life"
your devotion, senor?"
"1s not the word expressive? ! am
of Southern race senorita, and we
d. not calculate-we feel. Why, then,
should / conceal py eagerness? It is
love which causes me to thus defy all
and offer you freedom"
Love- !" she laughed. "why, that Is
impossible. Surely you only jest
senor"
The smile deserted his lips, and
with a quick. unexpected movement
he grasped her hand.
Jest! You would caYl.it a Jest. 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. l come to you with n chance OF
escape; will take the risk and pledge
you my aid. / alone can save you
there Is no other to whom you car
turn. In return l but ask my re
ward"
She hesitated, her eyes lifting to his
face.
"You promise me your assistanceY 2
"Withln the hour"
"Howf What plan have your"
"That / will not tell you must trus
, me. l am the lieutenant of Pascua
Mendez," touch of pride in his voice
And my word alone will open tn,
way. You will conner"
"Wait; must know more. You sa.
1t is love which prompts your offer
senior. / cannot understand; and ever
II this Is true, l must be frank ans
honest in my answer-I do not return
your love-"
"BahI That is nothing. I know
) women; they learn love quickly wheI
the way opens. / am not so Ill TO lool
at, senorita. A kiss now will seal tn
) bargain l will wait the rest"
'You ask no pledge, then, Of me-?
"Only your consent TO accompan.
me, and the kiss. Beyond that / TAX
the gamblers chance. Only you mus
say yes or no; for 1t win require tim
0 for me to clear the road"
d "It must be tonight?"
Q ''The sooner the better; they tell m
L Lacy will be here himself soon, an
$ after he comes the one chance is owe
Q with. You will give the kiss?'
9 'Do not ask 1t, senor!"
e "Oh, but / will-aye, more, I'll TAX
1t. A dozen will do no harm, and n
e scream from those lips will be heart
$ You may as well be nice, my beauty"
s She was against the wall, helpless
h and the grip of his hands was Tx
n steel. His breath was on her cheek
70 his eyes burning with lust gain
IS straight into her own. Slowly, remors'
u lessly, he bent her head backward III
D, til she feared her neck would snaI
o Into her terror-stricken mind leape
the sudden conclusion that resistanc
e with this beast was futile; she mus
n outwit him with her brains. Suddenl
Ie relaxing herself, she slipped to tn
70 granite floor on her knees.
e, "Please, please" she begged.
d give In, senior, / give In"
II But as she spoke her right han
a closed about square Jagged bit {
ID rock.
Is $50. my pretty" sneered Catera
III | s'vOu have learned that Juan Caterf