Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-12-12
A Tale of Adventure
BY QUlEN SABE (Who Knovs2)
'vrtoht. 1891 ov Charles sc,1orer's Sons

time they came into the wide dimly
lighted hall. The door giving entrance
to the patio was open; under the stars
| the little fountain played musically.
"Out this way" commanded Ken
| dric. Then around to the front of
the house. And if we meet any one,
Loraida. you'd best think back n few
| minutes before you start anything"
There was no one in the patio and
they went through swiftly and out at
the far side into the garden Kendric
filled his lungs with the sweet air that
was beginning to grow cool. The gilt
ter of the stars was to him like a hope
and promise. Never had he been so
sick of four walls and a smothering
roof. Now the musty gardens of the
golden king seemed to him infinitely far
away, thousand times farther removed
than the dancing lights in the heavens.
With his hand gripping Zoraida's
forearm they skirted the house. Pres
emily they came to the front driveway
and Zoraida must have wondered as he
forced her to 60 with him to n Ctump
Of bushes. He stopped, CROPPED about
moment, and then Strengthened up with
little grunt of satisfaction; the rifle
was in his hands.
Now the horses" he said, and the
three walked out into the starlight and
toward the double gates. Whatever
you will say will go with the men out
there. And be sure you say we are to
be allowed to go for a ride.
Ioraida did not answer and kendric
wondered. not without uneasincss, what
she would say. His grip tightened on
her arm. She did not appear to notice.
The watch towers on either side Of
the gate were lighted as usual. From
one came the low drone of two mems
voices; the other was silent. No other
sound save that of the rattle of bit.
chains as a horse somewhere shook its
head.
4 man appeared from nowhere. with
the air of having suddenly materialized
out of the atmosphere. lie came close,
made out that one Of the three was
Zoraida and backed away, sweeping of
his hat. They came to the gates which
the newly risen figure threw open; they
went through, kendric having the air
of man lending his arm to a lady,
Betty with the cloak drawn close about
her, following. They were out. Now
nearer than ever came the friendly
stars, swCetcr than ever was the night
air. Kendric looked swiftly about,
taking note of the darkness lying close
10 the earth. thanking God that there
was no moon. II one could keep for
a little in the shadow of the wall, II
then he could get clear of the house
and out into the fields lying at the rear,
it was but 4 short run to the noun
tains--
They had turned and already were
under one of the watch towers, the one
whence came the mems voices. The
saddled horses stood, tethcred to rings
set in the wall. Zoraida turned toward
Kendric and in the starlight her eyes
shone strangely, bright with mockery.
But tonight was jim kendric's, and nc
was still bent on playing out his hand.
Que hay, amigos" he called fa
miliarly to the men in the square tower,
his voice sounding careless and indif-
fc-ent. LA Senorita is here. She
wants horses"
4 head appeared at the little opening
that served for window above, hat
was doffed with exaggerated Difference,
a second uncovered head was thrust out.
Kendric stepped back half pace so
that they could see plainly that it was
Zoraida.
"Bueno," said one Of the two men.
Viva la Senorita! -
Already kendriC was uudoing the two
tie ropes. He regretted the necessity or
stepping two PAGES from Ioraida's side,
but realized that inevitably that neccs-
sity must come soon or late and he
lost no time grieving over it. The horses
we're at hand, saddled and bridled;
Betty was with him; the night was too
dark for eyes to watch from a distance;
the two men within Zoraida's call were
still up in the tower. He was taking
his chance now and he knew it; 10
radas period of obedience and iuactiv
ity was no doubt near at end. Well,
his luck had befricnded him thus far
and for the rest it was up to Jim Ken
dr!c. And they were out in the open
Thus he was ready for Zoraida'
outcry. He saw her whip back so as
to be beyond the sweep Of his arm, he
heard her crying out wildly, command
ing her retainers to stop the flight of
her prisoners, shrieklng at them to
shoot, to shoot to kill
Betty - cried jim. "Quick :"
Then he saw that Betty, too, had
been ready. just how she managed it,
encountered as she was with Zoraidas 5