The Lamar register. [volume] (Lamar, Colo.) 1889-1952, 1922-12-20

distance. The big lamp behind the
bar seemingly split. then sputtered
and went out. leaving the room In
darkness.
Gale leaped toward the restaurant
door, which was outlined family by
the yellow light within. Right and
left he pushed the cropping men who
1ostled with him. He vaulted a pool
table. sent tables and chairs flying.
and gained the door, to be the first
OF a wedging mob to squeeze through
One sweep of his arm knocked the res
taurant lamp from its stand and he
ran out, leaving darkness behind him.
A Few bounds took him into the par
Tor. II was deserted. Thorne had
gotten away with Mercedes!
II was then Gale slowed up. For
the space of perhaps sixty seconds
he had been moving with startling
velocity. He peered cautiously out
into the plaza. Under a street lamp
at the far end OF the path he thought
he saw two dark figures. He ran
faster. and soon reached the street.
The uproar back In the hotel began
to diminish. or else he was getting out
OF hearing. The few people he saw
close at hand were ali coming his
way. and only the foremost showed
any excitement. Gale walked swiftly
peering ahead for two figures. Pres
emily he saw them-one tall. wearing
cape; the other slight; mantled.
Gale drew a sharp breath of relief.
Thorne and Mercedes were not far
ahead.
He began TO overhaul them; and
soon. when the last lamp had been
passed and the street was dark. he
ventured a whistle. Thorne heard
II. for he turned. whlstled a low reply,
and went on. Not for some distance
beyond. where the street ended In
open country. did they halt to walt
Then he came up with the fugitives.
"Dick! Are you-nll rightT" painted
Thorne. grnsping Gale.
"Fm-Ont Of breath-but-O. K"
replied Gale.
Good! Goodi" choked Thorne. 81
was scared-helpless. Dick.
It worked spiendIdiy. We had no
trouble. What on earth did you dor"
II made the row. ali right" said
Dick. "Whiie I was rushing Ro'as
Q couple of cowboys shot out the
lampllghts. A Mexican who pulled n
knife on me got hurt. guess. Then
I think there was some shooting from
the rebels after the room was dark"
Mercedes pressed clUse 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 dawning so fugitively.
Dear lady" said Gale with voice
not wholly steady. -toias h'n self
will hound you no n ore tonight. nor
for many nights"
She seemed TO shake. to thriil. to
rise with the intelligence She pressed
his hand close over her heaving breast.
Gale felt the quick throb Of her heart
"Senori Senior Dick," she cried
Then her voice failed. But her
hands lew up: quick as 8 fash she
raised her face-kissed him. Then
she turned and with q sob fell into
Thorne's arms.
There ensued Il silence broken only
by Mercedes sohbing. Gale walked
SUNG phSes hWdys III Ne were mol
stunned, he certainly was agitatet.
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 gindness
that he had heen OF service to Thor ~.
Dick. Dick, come herei" called
Thorne softly. Let's pull ourselves
together row. We've got a problem
yet What to DO, Where to go? uow
to get any placer We're on good old
U. 5. 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 cleaI, ringing peal
OF a bugle. Thorne gave violent
start.
ITS call. Dick! It's callr he
cried.
Gale had no answer TO make Mer-
cedes stood as If stricken. The huglc
call ended. From a distance another
family Dealej There were other