Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1922-11-07
face with wonderful eyes Ee Thought |

face with wonderful eyeS lie Thought
lie 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 throh of her heart.
"Senor Scncr Dick" she cried.
Then her voice failed. But her
hands flew up; quick as flash she
raised her face-kissed him. Then
she turned ard with sob fell into
TbOne's arms.
There ensued silence ,. yKen 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
iips 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
Tharne softly. Lets pull ourselves
together Eow. We've got a problem
yet. What to do? Where to GO? How
to get any place? We're on good old
Z. 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 violent
start.
ITS a call, Dick! It's a CALI" he
cried.
Gale had no answer to make. Mer-
cedes stood as If stricken. The hugle
call ended. From distance another
family pealed. There were ether
sounds tao remote TO recognize. Then
scattering shots ratified out.
'Dick, the rebels are fighting some
body" burst out Thorne excltedly.
"The little federal garrison still holds
its stand. Perhaps 1t 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 1 am, away without leave
practically q deSerter !"
"Go back! Go back, before you're
too late!" cried Mercedes.
Better make tracks, Thorne,"
added Gale. ut can't help our pre-
dicament for you to he arrested. I'll
take care Of Mercedes"
"No, no, no." replied Thorre. 81
can get away-avoid arrest"
Mercedes embraced her lover,
begged him to go. Thorne wavered.
"Dick, I'm up against it." he said.
you're right. If only 1 can run back
in time. But, oh, l hate to leave her!
OLD fellow, you've saved her! I al
ready owe you everlasting gratitude.
Keep out Of Casita, Dick. The u. s.
side might be safe, but I'm afraid to
trust it at night. Go out IN the dcs-
ert, up in the mountains, in some safe
place. Then come to me in camp.
Well plan. I'll have to confde in
Colonel Weede. Maybe he'll help us.
Hide her from the rebels-thut's all."
lie wrung Dicks hand, clasped Mer-
cedes tightly in his arms, kissed her,
and m,rmured low over her, then re-
leased her to rush off into the dark
ness. de disappeared III the gloom
The sound Of his dull footballs gradu.
ally died away.
Gale realized that lie was between
the edge Of an unknown desert and
the edge of a hostile town. He had
to choose the desert, because, though
he had no doubt that III Casita there
were many Americans who might be-
friend him, he could not chance the
risks of seeking them at night.
He felt slight touch on his arm,
felt 1t move down, felt Mercedes slip a
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. He
was alone with her. he had no weap-
on, no money, no food, no drink, no
covering, nothing except his two
hands. He did not know where to
find the railroad, or any road or trail,
or whether or not there were towns
near or far It was q critical, des-
perate situation. He thought first Of
the girl, and groaned in spirit, prayed
that it would be given him to save
her. When he remembered himself 1t
was with the stunning consciousness
that he could conceive Of no situation
which he would have exchanged for
this one-where fortune had set him
a perilous task Of loyalty to friend,
to helpless girl.
"Senor, senor!" suddenly whispered
Mercedes. clinging to him. "Listenl