Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1922-11-30

Dick. "Whne I was rushing RO;as
lamplights. A Mexican who pulled
knife on me got hurt, | guess. Then
| think there was some shooting from
the rebels after the room was dark"
Mercedes pressed close to him,
touched his hands looked up into his
face with wonderful eyes He thought
he would not soon forget their beauty
the shadow of pain that had been,
the hope dawnng so fugitively.
Dear lady" said Gale. with voice
not wholly steady, "Koias himself
will hound you no more tonight, nor
for many nights"
She seemed to shake, to thrill, to
rise with the Intelligence. She pressed
his hand close over her heaving breast.
Gale felt the quick throb of her heart.
Then her voice failed. But her
hands flew up; quick as a flash she
raised her faCe-lssed him. Then
she turned and with a sob fell into
Th0rne's arms.
There ensued a silence broken only
by Mercedes sobbing. Gale walked
some PAGES away. If he were not
stunned, he certainly was agitated.
| The strange, sweet fire Of that girls
lips remained with him. On the spur
of the moment he imagined he had a
| jealousy of ThOrne. But presently
this passed. What remained with him
was the splendid glow Of gladness
that he had been of service to Thorne.
"Dick, Dick, come here" called
Thorne softly. Lets pull ourselves
together now. We've got a problem
yet What to do? Where to 60? How
to get any place? We're on good old
U. S. ground this minute, but we're
not out of danger"
AS he paused, evidently hoping for
a suggestion from Gale, the silence
was broken by the clean, ringing peal
of a bugle. Thorne gave violent
start.
IT'S a call, Dick! It's a calf" he
cried.
NtblC litt' llO dlISN u u ma kt. 4Sltl-
cedes stood as if stricken. The bugle
call ended. From a distance another
family pealed There were other
sounds too remote to recognize. Then
scattering shots ratified out
"Dick, the rebels are fighting some
body" burst out Thorne eXcitedly
THE little federal garrison still holds
its stand. Perhaps it is attacked
again. Anyway, there's something do
ing over the line. Maybe the crazy
Greasers are firing on our camp
We've feared tin the dark.
And here l am, away without leave
practically a deserter!"
go back! Go back, before you're
too late!" cried Mercedes.
Better make tracks, Thorne'
added Gale at can't help our pre-
dicament for you to be arrested. I'll
take care Of Mercedes"
mo, no, no." replied Thorne. 81
can get away-avoid arrest"
Mercedes embraced her lover
begged him to 90. Thorne wavered.
"Dick, I'm up against it," he said
you're right. If only l can run back
in time. But, oh, hate to leave her
Old fellow, you've saved her! l al
ready owe you everlasting gratitude
Keep out Of Casita, Dick. The U. s
side might be safe, but Pm afraid tC
trust it at night. Go out in the DIES
ert up in the mountains, in some safe
place. Then come to me in camp
Well plan. I'll have to confide II
Colonel Weede. Maybe he'll help us
Hide her from the rebels-that's all. ;
He wrung Dicks hand clasped Mer
cedes tightly in his arms, kissed her
and murmured low over her, then re
leased her to rush off into the dark
ness. He disappeared In the gloom
The sound, of his dull footballs gradu
ally died away.
Gale realized that he was between
the edge Of an unknown desert ant
the edge of hostile town. He ha(
to choose the desert, because, though
he had no doubt that III Casta Their,
were many Americans who might be
friend him, he could not chance tn,
risks of seeking them at night.
He felt slight touch on his arm
felt it move down, felt Mercedes slip {
trembling cold little hand into his
Dick looked at her If the loneliness
the silence, the desert, the unknown
dangers of the night affected him
what must they be to this hunted
driven girl? Gales heart swelled. II,
was alone with her. He had no weap
on, no money, no food, no drink, n,
covering, nothing except his tw,
hands. He did not know where t.
find the railroad, or any road or trail
or whether or not there were town
near or far. 1t was critical, des
perate situation. He thought first o
the girl, and groaned in spirit, prayed
that 1t would be given him to say,
her. When he remembered himself /
was with the stunning consciousness
that he could conceive of no situation
which he would have exchanged 70
this one-Where fortune had set hin