Vernon Parish Democrat. (Leesville, La.) 1917-193?, 1921-04-21
CHAPTER XI-contlnued.


you're cooking up is no affair of mine,
and trust I need not assure you that
your confidence is quite safe with
me-"
The Doctor and the Colonel imme-
diately rose and bowed like pair of
mariOnettes. Webster turned to Ri
cardo
"Have you had any experience in
revolutions, my SOM" he asked.
Ricardo nodded. 81 realized had
to have experience, and so went to
Mexico. 1 was with Madero through
the first revolution"
"HOw are you arming your menu"
"Mannlichers. I've got 2O,O0O,OOO
rounds of cartridges, % machine guns,
and a dozen 'three-inch field guns. l
have also engaged 200 American ex-
soldiers to handle the machine guns
and the battery. These rascals cost
me SIS day gold, but they're worth
it; they like fighting and will go any
where to get it-and are faithful"
"You are secretly modifying in the
mountains, eh?' Webster rubbed his
chin ruminatively. "Then l take it
you'll attack Buenaventura when you
strike the first blown
"Quite right. We must capture
seaport If we are to revolute success
fully"
''Tm glad to know that. I'll make 1t
my business to be up in the mountains
at the time. I'm for peace, every rat
Gle out of the box. Gentlemen, you've
cheered me wonderfully. 1 will now
go home and leave you to your evil
Vaccinations and, the good Lord and
the jiggers willing, shall yet CLEAN a
nights Sleep"
Mother jerks was waiting for Web
Ster at the foot Of the stairs. He
paused on the threshold.
"Mrs. Jenks," he said, "Billy tells
me you have been very kind to him.
/ want to tell you how much 1 appre-
ciate it and that stand willing to re-
ciprocate any time you are in need"
Mother jerks fingered her beard and
reflected. "Ave you met Miss Dolores
Ruey sir?" she queried.
"Your ward? Yes"
"'Ow does the lamb strike you, Mr..
Webster?"
81 have never met many women;
have known few intimately; but
should say that Miss Dolores Ruey
is the marvel Of her sex. She Is as
beautiful as she is good, and is as in
telligent as she can be-"
"She's a lydy, sir" Mother jerks
affirmed proudly. "An' I done it. You
can see with arr a heye wot 1 am,
but for all that, I've done my dooty
by her. From the day my sainted
'Enery--'e was a colonel O. hartillery
under President Ruey, Dolores father
--hescaped from the burnin' palace
with 'er an told me to raise 'er lydy
for the syke of her father, as was the
finest gentleman this rotten cOuntry'll
ever see, she's been my guidin' star
She's self-supportin' now, but still ]
amt done my whole doOty by her.
want to see 'er married to a gentle
man ash maintain 'er like a lydy."
"Well Mrs. jerks, think you will
live to see that worthy ambition at
tanned Mr.. Geary is head over heels
in love with her"
AYE. Willie's a nice lad could
wish no better; but wOt 'e's got e
got from you, an where'Il e be If rs
mine doesn't ply big? Now, with you
sir, it's different. You're bit Older'n
Billy, an more settled an serious
you've made yer fortune, so Willie
tells me, an not to go beatin' about
the bally bush, l sly, wot's the matter
with you an her steppin' over the
broOmstick together? You might go
bIoOmin' sight farther an fare wuss.'
"ToO old, my dear schemer, toe
odd" John Stuart replied smllingly
"And she's in love with Billy. DOM
worry. If he doesn't make a go OF
this mining concession, I'll take care
of his finances until he can do so him
self. l do not mind telling you, II
strictest confidence, that l have
made my will and divided my none!
equally between them"
cord bless you, for a sweet, kint
gentleman" Mother jerks gulped
quite overcome with emotion.
Hastily Webster babe Mother Jenk
good night and hurried away to es
cape a discussion on such delicate
topic with Billy's blunt and single
minded landlady. His mind was in
tumult. So it was that he paid no at
tentiOn to a vehicle that logged by hin
with the cochero sagging low IN nj
seat, half asleep over the relns, unit
a quick command from the closed IN
terror brought the vehicle to al
abrupt halt, half a block in advanc
of Webster,
Save for an arc light at each en-
of the block, the Gale de ,ConcOrdi
was dim; save for Webster, the cal
rage and the two men who piled hui
riedly out at the rear of the convey
ance, the Gale de COncOrdia was d.
void of life. Webster saw one of tn
men hurriedly toss a coin to the cool
ero: with a fervent "Gr0cias, mi cal
itan," the driver clucked to his hOrs
Az. I'LL M