St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1922-11-11

Gale neard the jingle OF breaking
glass. The room darkened percep-
tibly. He flashed glance backward.
The two cowboys were between him
and the crowd Of frantic rebels. One
cowboy held two guns low down, level
in front Of him. The other had his
gun raised and aimed. On the instant
1t spouted red and white. With the
crack came the crashing of glass, an
other darkening shade over the room.
With a cry Gale slung the bleeding
Rojas from him. The bandit struck
table, toppled over it, fell, and lay
prone.
Another shot made the room full of
moving shadows, with light only back
OF the bar. A Whitehead figure rushed
at Gale. He tripped the man, but had
to kick hard to disengage himself
from grasping hands. Another figure
closed in on Gale. This one was dark,
swift. A blade glinted-describef
circle aloft. simultaneously with a
close, red flash the knife wavered; the
man welding it stumbled backward.
Then pandemonium broke loose. The
din became a roar Gale heard shots
that sounded like dull spats In the
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
jostled with him. He vaulted pool
table, sent tables and chairs flying,
and gained the door, to be the first
Of 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
lor. 1t was deserted. Thorne had
gotten away with Mercedesl
1t 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 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 whistle Thorne heard
it, for he turned, whlstled low reply,
and went on. Not for some distance
beyond, where the street ended In
open country, did they halt to wait.
Then he came up with the fugitives.
"Dickl Are you-all rightT' painted
Thorne, grasping Gale.
"I'm-out Of breath-but-O. K"
replied Gale.
Good! Good!" choked Thorne. II
was scared-helpless. Dick,
1t worked splendidly. We had no
trouble. What on earth did you dor"
II made the row, all right" said
Dick "While I was rushing Rojas
a couple Of cowboys shot out the
lamplights. A Mexican who pulled a
knife on me got hurt, I 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 dawning so fugitively.
"Dear lady," said Gale, with voice
not wholly steady, "Rojas 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.
"Senorl Senior Dick!" she cried.
Then her voice failed. But her
hands flew up; quick as a flash she
raised her face-kissed him. Then
she turned and with a sob fell into
Thorne's arms
There ensued silence broken only
BY Mercedes sobbing. Gale walked
some PAGES away. II 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 problem
yet. What to do7 Where to got 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
q suggestion from Gale, the silence
was broken by the clear, ringing peal
Of a bugle. Thorne gave a violent
start.
"1ts a call, Dick! It's a callw he
cried.
Gale had no answer to make. MerA