The Pulaskian., 1921-02-17

You are senor SheIby7"
 "Yes."
 And she, this woman. is your wife?"
 "Yes."
 "She is pretty woman, verra pretty; you not married long|
 "No, only few days; we had just come to the ranch when she was talk en away
 But, senor, why she go away if she be just married like you say? Why she leave you. an run off with Senor Maeklin? She love heem better than youg'
 Love him! She did not run off. He stole her. he and four Indians, after leaving me for dead"
 "He not tell eet to me like that; he say she want to marry heem, an not you. That he took her to save her from you; that she would not let heem leave her. Then you fight, an so get keeled."
 Shelby laughed softly.
 'So that was Macklin's story, was 1t? We'll it is not exactly true. ain't saying she's in love with me, or nothln like that, but she sure don't banker none after that chap. I'll tell yer why he took her-cause she's got a bunch O money comln' her way down east that Mackin would like to get his hands on"
 '.He marry herr"
 "That's his game, DO doubt. if it works. If not. he'll evolve some other. l don't think he gives cuss how it's done. so he gets it--he and his pre- cious father"
 She stared at him with lips parted.
 "..faybe l see 1t more clear now." she exclaimed "He not love her, then; he just want her money. ban! care not how he get that. if he not get her. You take her away, Senor Shelby. where he never see her again?"
 'Of course"
 ''An you keep her married to your"
 .'FIl do the best can What do you mean. Pancha? Can you get us out of here?"
 "Si senor; l know the way that oth- CTS. do not. I get you out, but" pas sionately. feet is not to save you. belong here-see; with Juan, my brother. I am born outlaw. yet she must go! That I resolve. If she stay here I keel her. But 'tis easier way to have her married to you, an safe."
 ''You love Macklin?"
 "Si. senor." proudly, why not? He say he love me; yet she come Madre de Dios! l hate her! She take my love! She Bet shall not be- You swear, senor, that she go with you. an never come back any more?"
 "Yes, Pancha. 1 swear that. Once we are away she shall never come back he answered soberly, impressed by the violence of her passion. "yet how is that to be done?'
 She glanced apprehensively behind, still clinging tightly to her perch. low ering her voice again into its former cautious whisper.
 Listen, senor; tell you. Bet is late now for wait before I come. an think eet all out, so know what to say. Indian Joe he bad man, vera bad man, an 1 much afraid But now he sleep in there; I creep past while he breathe, an not wake heem. 'Tis because he drank. Juan, my brother, go up to the cove to find Senor Han ley. an he not be back teel morning. Tonight eet must be done, an so they will not know I helped. Is eet so?"
 "Yes; understands; yer have op- portunity tonight; but I must get away so no one shall suspect yer had any hand in it.'
 "That is eet," eagerly. Indian Joe, he keel me if he found out; maybe my brother, too. see heem keel men, quick, like that. Then he laugh So l think; he look in here. but not to search, so he not sure what might be. Perhaps there was a knife under the bed, he dropped somewhere what you found-see? Maybe you had eet hid in your boot-how he know that?"
 "Yes. but I haven't, Pancha'
 ''So know; but breeng one-see," and she pressed the handle into his hand. How he know how you get eet? Bet is strong, sharp. so you cut these bars. an when morning come you are not here Who knows how eet happen, senor? I am also asleep, an you are gone; 'tis the mercy of God"
 Shelby caught his breath to her ex- pressive gestures. his fingers gripping the knife
 .I doubt If can get through that hole" he said mournfully. .after the bars are cut. I'm pretty big"
 But you must, senor; there is no other way" she insisted impatiently. "The blade is strong, sharp: .eet will dig out the log. but do not be long. See-there is tree wonder: l will