The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-08-03

Outside, in the hot allerhoon sun shine, the two stopped ana iooked at each other. confronting an antol- erable situation.
 "Senor Graeme. I salute fiawless gentleman" the girl spoke first with the ceremonious dignity of her race.
 Billy blushed furiously.
 .You're givin' me more than I de- serve," he protested. An Trlx IS right; I've beSn feelin' that too. But you an I have got to do someth1n, an do it quick. This comic-opera business has got to quit.
 "Senor?"
 He nodded, grim resolution on his plump countenance:
 "Quit! Do you suppose It would do any good if talked to that court the nonsense of shootin' a good citi- zen because his duty was in two places at once?"
 ''No. Senor.''
 There was a stump behind him; on it he sat down, needless of possible insects, and lost himself in cogitation. Dona Faustina waited mutely, her beautiful dark face tense.
 How far is it to your hacienda ?" he questioned.
 "A ride of two hours. Our silver mines are five miles farther west"
  this casual implication of romantic wealth, but pursued his idea.
 Have you a white man on 1t, a Mexican, who likes money, has got a brain, an isn't too painfully set on tel1in' the truth all his Hfe?"
 ''You have described my overseer, Enrique, Senor Graeme.'
 Billy stood up, scrutinizing the sky. Good enough! Dona Faustina, if you oh oys let me see him before he rides into this camp, I think I can do some- thin'."
 The afternoon passed with discon- certing rapidity for those who graudged each moment. Billy spent the time with Dona Faustina. ex- plaining to her the art of advertis- ing and the high responsibility of magazine covers And he told her spoken to any one until then.
 At dusk Beatrice came to the cou- pie under the trees She was soft ly flushed, irradiated with happy love.
 'Lucian has sent me to make ready she told them, her eyes veil ed behind their long Iashes to hide their shyness. ''He says that I must go on with Faustina, and that he will
 
 explain tomorrow"
 It was still very warm, but the American shivered oddly.
 NO doubt he was doin' the best he could," he murmured. "Yes, you'd better be ready for startin' back.''
 An hour later Don Martinez was gloomily smoking a cigarette before the temporary headquarters, when 8 travel-stained horseman rade up to him.
 Pardon, senor, is the honored Senora Dona Faustina de Carri here?" he inquired, doffing his high silver-decked hat with the humility of an inferior.
 Her party leaves in an hour.'' 'I am infinitely grateful for the condescension of your worship. I an Enrique Diaz, at your service, the lady's overseer.'' Martinez drew feverishly on his cigarette. His nerves were raw. In the hut behind him Lucian Carri was before the court for the last time In the tent opposite CarriPs wife of a few hours and his sister were making ready to leave him forever, Any conversation was preferable to thought
 You have come up from her ha- cienda ?" Ee inferred.
 I Jar to the north, from Orc, a long jour- ney.' The man settled himself in his high saddle, smiling maliciously with a hint of raillery for the super cilious young officer. "I rode a mile north of Orc the night the rebels rode past to attack your worship's train Santa Virgen;! They were so close they might have touched me. But ] hid behind a hummock.''
  ed Maritime
 "A thousand excuses-north. know; I was there. Of reason it would be so. The vile rebels would naturally pass around the scout every one knew was placed, so that he could not ride into his camp to give warning"
 The cigarette fell from Martinez's fingers; he stiffened North? They passed north of ou, guard?" he repeated 'Of a surety they cut off your sen- try, senor- They surrounded your camp before they attacked-of course you could not tell from what direc- tfon they came. I saw; I can swear But what difference does 1t make ?' he shrugged and laughed. "All is oVer!"
 "Difference?" almost shouted the officer Difference? ComeI Comet"
 Languor gone, a volcano of ener- gy, he fairly dragged the rider from his saddle
 "But, senor, am not for this resisted the man. ''Who am to mix ln great affairs? I am a poor man." Have you told me the truth % Maria de Guadalupe, What else had l to do2 I meant no harm. ca- ballero. I will not say it again. In reply Martinez propelled him to the door and precipitated him into the room, ceremony forgotten. Senores, a witness,'' he announc ed dellrfously. "Senor Colonel, swear h1m-examine him. The rebels pass ed him a mile north of Carri1's post Carr1l wheeled in his place. Strained of face, the others stared Billy Graeme thrust his hands in to ms pockets and stood uu, blue eyes narrowed and intent. North ?" Colonel Zuniga echoed. 1 North, senor-north. Examine hlm' l beg. AhI'' Martinez shook his 1 captive joyously Speak, is it not