The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1921-02-24

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or the band outside already"
He looked up at her, his glance al
most vacant, and she could but per-
ceive how his chin shook.
"What shall we do?"
Dor She gripped his shoulder.
Are you man and ask that? We
Will light! Did you imagine 1 would
ever surrender myself into the hands
of that devil after what has hap
pened2 I would rather die; yes, 1
Will die before he ever puts hand on
me- And what about you, Mr.. Caven-
dish? Are you going to lie there mop
Ing? Answer mel thought you were
"a gentleman"
The words were like a blow in his
face. and under their sting he stag
gered to his feet; scarlet blazed I'm
both his cheeks.
"You have no right to say that to
me-" he ssid angrily. I'm not that
kind"
II know it," she admitted, "but you
lose your nerve; this isn't your game.
Well, 1t isn't mine either, for the mat
ter Of that. Nevertheless it has got
to be played, and we're going to play
1t together. Those fellows will be at
that door presently-just as soon as
Mendez tells them who are inside here.
They'll try us once and, If we can beat
them back, that will give US q breath
Ing spell. Two Of us ought to hold
them for some time"
There was a shouting Of commands
without in Spanish, punctuated by
oaths, the meaning Of which the girl
alone understood. She leaned for
ward. her eyes on the door the cooked
revolver held ready. She had meant
what she said to Cavendish; to her
mind death was far preferable to any
surrender to that infuriated Mexican;
she expected death. but one hope yet
buoyed her up-Westcott. He would
come; she had faith In that-and he
would find she had fought to the end,
even II he came too late. She buried
her face In her hands, sitting sob
that shook her body, yet when she lift
ed her head again there was no glim-
mer of tears in her eyes and her
cheeks were crimson. She waited mo-
tionless, scarcely seeming to breathe
the statue Of woman at bay.
All this was but for moment, a mo-
ment of swift thought, of equally swift
decision. The next Cavendish stood
beside her, grasping the shotgun, no
longer victim of weakness, his eyes
meeting hers eagerly.
II could only find twelve cartridges"
he exclaimed, "but know how to use
those"
He took a step forward and held out
his hand.
"Forgive me, Miss Donovan" he
pleaded. "Really do not know what
makes me like that, but you would
make man out Of anybody"
Her firm. slim fingers met his eager
ly, her eyes instantly glowing In ap-
probation.
"Of course I forgive you," she ex-
claimed. "Your fear is no greater
than my own. I am woman and
dread this sort of thing All that gives
me courage is the knowledge that
death Is preferable to dishonor," her
voice lost its firmness, "and-and my
faith in a man."
| Aou LII pOSSlDle TeSCuct
Her eyes lifted to his face.
"Yes, Mr.. Cavendish. 1t may prove
all imagination. yet there Is one-a
real man, / am sure-who must know
Of my plight before this. If he does
and lives, he will come to me. If we
can only defend ourselves long enough
there will be rescue"
A blow struck the outer door, and
was repeated, evidently dealt by the
tntt of a gun then the two, standing
silent and almost breathless within
heard Mendez' voice.
"SenOrita, and you also. Senior Cav
endish" he called, his words intended
to be cOnciliatory. ut Is Of no use thai
you resist. We are many and armed
If you surrender and not fight pledge
you protection"
The girl glanced at Cavendlsh.
"YOa answer him."
"What shall say?' he whispered.
"The man lies; he will keep NJ
promise once we are in his power. Be
sides they have not yet found Cateras
When they do there will be no though
OF mercy
"Then we will fight 1t outT
III shall; / will never give mysel
INTO the hands Of that creature"
"SenOr." and Cavendish steppe,
aside to the protection of the logs, "w
will not surrender. That Is our an
swer."
"Foolsw he called back, his voic
rising harsh above the growing o
others. "We Will show you. Silva
Felipe, quick now; do what told yo,
We will teach these Americana dogs
lesson. No. stand back! Wait until
speak the word"
A faint glimmer Of light throug
one of the log crevices caught Caver
dish's attention and he bent down, hi
eye to the crack, one hand grasping tn
barrel of his gun. Stella watched hil
r motionless and silent, her face agai
s pale from strain.