The Bienville Democrat. [volume] (Arcadia, Bienville Parish, La.) 1912-1980, 1922-11-30
CHAPTER h
Mercedes Castaneda,

Mercedes Castaneda.
\ dark face vanished. Dick Gale
footsteps and the tinkle OF
He strobe to the window, and
In time to see a Mexican swag
|; nto the front door Of the saloon
we're men passing In the street
several Mexlcans lounglnQ
1t the hitching rail at the curb
d you see him? Where did he
whispered Thorne, as he Joined
"Those Greasers out there with
cartridge belts crossed over their
sts-they are rebels. I'm afraid
! Is has the house spotted"
i we could only be sure"
m sure, Dick. Let's cross the
/; | want to see how it looks from
other side Of the house."
lie followed Thorne out Of the res.
int into the high.ceiled corridor
b evidently divided the hotel,
Ing into the street and running
to a patio. A few dim, yellow
flickered. Thorne entered a
chamber which was even more
lighted than the hall. It con.
a table Uttered with papers, a
hlgh.backed chairs, a couple Of
les, and was evidently a parlor.
ercedes has been meeting me
said Thorne. AT this hour she
y every moment or so to the head
be stairs there, and II | am here
comes down. Mostly there are
le In this room a little later. We
ut Into the plaza. It faces the
side of the house, and that's the
IL must slip ont with her II
Is any chance at all to get away"
ey peered out Of the open win
In moment, however, Gale
out a slOw.paclng dark form on
nth. Farther down there was
y. No particular keenness was
I'D to see in these forms q sen.
ke stealthiness.
ping Gales arm, ThOrne pulled
fOm the window.
saw them," he whispered. TITS
| feared. Rojas has the place
pded. should have taken Mer-
Away. But I had no time-no
I'm bound! There's
ks now! My Cd! :.
mink, think-think If there's q
yet her out Of this trap"
turned as his friend went down
"a. In the dim light at the head
stairs stood the slim, mufled
" a woman. When she saw
she flew noiselessly down the
" to him. He caught her In
=, Then she spoke softly, bro.
ma low, swift voice. II was a
q Of lncoherent Spanish and
but to Gale It was mellow,
Mutterably tender, a voice full
tear, passion, hope and love.
vale It had an unaccountable
He found himself thrilling,
fhg.
we led the girl to the center Of |
w. under the light where Gale |
veoes-Dick Gale, an old friend
vet friend l ever had"
Mept the mantllla back over |
disclosing a lovely face, |
md striking to Gale in its
nd hre, Its intensity. 1
Gale-ahI I cannot speak
plness. His friend ~
mercedes; my friend and
ld Ihorne, speaking rapidly.
ave need Of him. Dear,
ga news and no time to break
The priest did not come,
have been detained. And
9 brave, dear Mercedes
y hersw
s'ered an inarticulate cry, the
terror Of which shook Gales
.na swayed as II she would
4aofne caught her and In
'''es 'nD0rtuped her to bear
airing al. For Gods sake dode
vat 90 to pieces! We'd be
were got a chance. Wen
I something. Be strong!
~. pain to Gal. that Thorue
y ''.acted. He scarcely knew
= was saying. Pale and shak.
o,,.s mercedes to him.
sl'ed out in Spanish, beseech.
.s.' ana as he shook his head,
.1sed to English.
s,A ~ lover ! will be strong
s'1 win obey. But swea,
IGN L need be to save me
aes! Yes, ri swear" he re-
~ ICY. u know-l'd rather
dead than But don't give
can't be sure Of you, or
y wait. Hes in there. Hes
asa there all around US, But
&. A beast like RoIas
aad idle for nothing. | tell
Y : chance. Dick, here, will
= 9.@ IS Wen slip away.
g you somewhere. Only
nl -show him you won't
ssaes' this is more than