The Aberdeen weekly. [volume] (Aberdeen, Miss.) 1878-1933, 1920-08-13

Il
IF / am prisoner here, / am not your
prisoner. Do you come, then, to serve
me?'
Can you doubt that, senorita 2"
still endeavoring 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 1 should be devoid of
/ heart and sympathy" He took a step
nearer. Il care nothing for this Bill
Lacy-nOthing," and he snapped his
/ fingers derisiveiy. 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?'
'Is not the word expressive? I am
Of a Southern race, senorita, and we
d not calculate-we feel. Why. then.
should l conceal my eageFness? II is
love which causes me TO thus defy all
and offer you freedom"
:" she laughed. "Why. that is
impossible. Surely you only jest,
SenOr."
The smile deserted his lips. and
with quick. unexpected movement
he grasped her hand.
Jest! You would call it a jest You
Will not think so for long. Why. what
can you do? No; stop shrinking back
from me- It viii be wei that YOU lis
ten. come to you with chance of
escape; l viii take the risk and pledge
you my aid l alone can save YOU
there is no other to whom Won can
turn. In return 1 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 you?"
"That l win not tell YOU must trust
me. I am the lieutenant of PascuaI
Mendez," a touch of pride in his voice.
and my word alone will open the
way. You win Gomez"
wait; 1 must know more. You say
it is love which prompts your offer.
senior. l cannot understand; and even
If this is true, l 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. I am not so i'll TO look
at, senOrita. A kiss now will seal the
bargain / will wait the rest"
You ask no pledge, then, of rne?'
only your consent to accompany
me, and the kiss. Beyond that take
the gamblers chance. Only you must
say yes or no; for it viii require time
for me to clear the road"
1T must be tonight?"
THE sooner the better: they tell me
Lacy will be here himself soon. and
after he comes the one chance is over
with. You will give the kiss?"
do not ask it. senor!"
'Oh, but | will-aye, more. I'll take
it. 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 woul, snap.
Into her terrOr-Stricken mind Ieaped
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 on her knees.
please, please" she begged II
give in, senior, / give in"
But as she spoke her right hand
closed about a square jagged bit of
rock
so. my pretty" sneered Cateras,
you have learned that Juan Cateras
is not man to trifie with. 1t is Well"
And, releasing his grip upon her, he
allowed the girl to rise.
AS she stood there in the NaIf light.
her gray eyes flashing, her young
bosom rising and falling, she was
vaguely defined but alluring figure. So
Juan Cateras thought, and he took a
step nearer, his thick, red lips curling
with lust, eager to claim their rich re-
ward. AS they came closer Stella
Donovan stiffened
Look. senor," she whispered-'be
hind you y
The Mexican in his eagerness was
off his guard. He turned TO look. and
at that instant the girl drew back her
sturdy army and then brought it for
ward again with all her vigor. Cluk
She heard the rock sound against her
oppressor's head. heard a low moan
escape his lips, and saw him sink slow
~ 10 the floor at her feet.
The next instant she was beside him,
in terror lest she had killed him; but
a hurried glance. supplemented by her
fingers which reached for his pulse.
assured her that she had only stunned
her assailant With deft hands that
worked speedily in the darkness she
unstraDped from around his waist the
belt with its thirty-six cartridges and
revolver, then pulled from his pocket
the keys. not only to her cell, but, she
judged, TO others.
-The feel of their bronze coldness in !
her hot hands brought a quick message
to her brain; beyond a question OF
doubt the missing Cavendish was con-
ceaIed in one of the dark. dank cells