Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1920-06-18

y
me or my affairs" protested Williams
Really, it's very thoughtful OF you.
but its wholly unnecessary"
He Strengthened his strong, young
body and leaned back in the Pullman
at this typical oriental method of ap'
probation. One touch of nature makes
the whole world akin, and Buck Will
liams vaguely grasped the spirit OF re-
ligious gratitude that burned in the
frai figure before him.
"Noblesse oblige' it enunciated as
loudly as if spoken in actual words
audible above the roar of the train,
now racing again toward Ell PasO.
"Who shall say?" graphically re-
piled Jitendra "Sahib, / have said
that the ways OF your people are not
the ways of mine. But I have also
said that fate or destiny bears rule
over all peoples. And I may not jour-
ney far upon the Seven Paths if try
to step aside from the Karma which
fate lays upon me. Only by obedience
may l progress. Otherwise | am in
letters until another incarnation of
sorrow and pain has set me free"
The quick grind Of the brakes di-
verted Buck Williams from q reply.
The belated limited came to a stop.
A boy leaped up the steps Of the Pull
man bearing a telegram.
"Mr Williams !" shouted Conductor
Martin. The young man hurried to the
end of the car received the message,
and the train picked up again as he
tore it open to read:
"Culiacan Mexico, June Is, 1913.
buchanan Williams,
Clifton, Arizona.
forward Train No. 6, East-bound.
Manuel Pacheco and mine crew
take to the hills after plundering COM
pany store. Meet me Sheldon hotel,
Ell PasO, quick. More trouble brew
ing around Ell Tigre.
CIVILIAN SCOTT"
Four and a half hours late the linn
tied slipped into the Union station at
Ell Paso. Buck Williams had forgot
ten the wreck, Jitendra, and everything
else in the chaos of new thoughts re-
garding the peril to his mine.
He climbed into a taxicab and was
whirled to the hotel. Scott leaped
across the lobby with extended hand.
"Buck! % he cried, delightedly.
"Great guns, man, but I'm glad to see
you! The whole province of SinalOa
is shot to b again-anOther revOlu-
ton started. Pacheco and those lazy
Mexicans have robbed you of nearly
everything you own on top of the
gro1 I'd. From the looks of things,
they're planning to cop the Eel Tigre
ITSELF"
"So?" drawled Buck, stiffening
little, the light of battle flaming in his
blue eyes, suddenly grown cold. Il
picked up q rumor of this at Clifton
yesterday. One of the mine bosses
overheard some MexicanS discussing
Ell Tigre He told the superintendent
who repeated it to me. | had just
time to pack my bag, and by sheer luck
/ caught No. 6 east-bound at Lords
burg"
''We can't do much without an
army" gloOmed Scott, kicking in a
dubious fashion at the tiled floor. Il
had a mighty hard two days getting
thrOugh-came by way of Chihuahua
after striking overland from the coast
and got the last train out. Ameri-
cans are thick enough along this side
of the border; but mosquito with
gun that would fit him couldn't pack
,s.af hn
commander at Fort Bliss says we
ought to stay at home.'
"He hasn't q five-million-dOllar mine
to lOse," sententiOusly observed Will
liams, turning to the register He STUN
bled against a diminutive figure, whose
head just topped the onyx-framed desk.
"Whar-you here?" he cried. II
told you that I didn't want you to
reciprocate my small assistance this
afternoon, Mr.. Jitendra."
The brown man Salaamed low.
"What says the Ancient Wisdom,
Sahib Buck? The longest way round
is oft the shortest way home"
Williams threw back his head and
laughed long and loud.
"Scotty, look at this!"
He jerked derisive thumb toward
the chocolate hued, understood atom of
humanity standing humbly but firmly
at his side.
81 pulled him out from under a
wrecked diner this afternoon. Now
he insists on trailing me until he has
paid the score by doing as much for
me. Do you think he'd make one bite
| for Manuel PachecO and his regiment
| of thieves"
CHAPTER Ill.