Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1922-12-29
Derl,

Dick. "While / was rushing Rojas
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 dawnng so fugitlvely.
Dear lady," said Gale. with voice
not wholly steady. "kojas 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 heavlng breast
Gale felt the quick throb Of her heart.
'Senor Senior Dick I" she cried.
Then her voice failed. But her
hands flew up; quick as flash she
raised her face-kissed him. Then
she turned and with sob fell into
Thornes arms.
by Mercedes sObbing. Gale walked
some PAGES away. If he were rot
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 O
jealousy of Thorne. But presently
this passed. What remained with him
was the splendid glow of gIadness
that he had been of service to Thorne.
"Dick, Dick, come herel" called |
Thorne softly. let's pull ourselves
together now. We've got a problem |
yet. What to do? Where to go? How
to get any placer We're on good old
q. 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 clear, ringing peal
of a bugle. Thorne gave a violent
start.
"It's call. Dicki It's CALI" he
cried.
Gale had no answer to make. Mer-
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
is stand. Perhaps 1t Is attacked
again. Anyway. there's something do
ng over the line. Maybe the crazy
ireasers are firing on our camp.
We've feared tin the dark.
And here l am, away without leave
deserterl"
go back! Go back, before you're
90 late" cried Mercedes.
Better make tracks. Thorne.r
fdded Gale. at cant help or pre-
dcament for you to be arrested. III
AXE care Of Mercedes
NO, no, no." replied Thorne. II
an get away-avoid arrest"
Mercedes embraced her lover.
egged him to go. Thorne wavered
dick, I'm up against IT. he said
You're right If only 1 can run back
time. But, oh, I hate to leave heri
Id fellow. you've saved herI l al
lady owe you everlasting gratitude.
eep out Of Casita, Dick The q. s.
de might be safe. but I'm afraid to
ust 1t at night. Go out in the des-
I, up In the mountains, In some safe
ace Then come to me In camp.
ell plan. I'll have to confide In
olonel Weede. Maybe he'll help us.
ide her from the rebels-that's sll"
He wrung Dicks hand, clasped Afer-
des tightly in his arms. kissed her.
Id murmured low over her. then re-
used her to rush off into the dark
IS. He disappeared In the gloom
lie sound Of his dull footballs gradu.
" died away.
yale realized that he was between
edge of an unknown desert and
edge of hostile town. He had
choose the desert, because. though
mad no doubt that la Casita there
re many Americans who might be-
END him. he could not chance the
ks Of seeking them at night.
ne leit slight touch on his arm.
II "o'e uoWn, 1elt Mercedes slip
milling cold little hand into his.
II looked at her. If the loneliness.
silence. the desert, the unknown
1gers of the night affected him
at must they be to this hunted
ven girl? Gales heart swelIed. He
alone with her He had no weap y
no money. no food, no drink. no
ering' nothing except his two 81
lds. He did not know where "a r.
the railroad, or any road or train
whether or not there were towns
or FAR. II was a critical. des-
a'e situation. He thought first OF r.
sill and groaned in spirit. prayed
II would be given him TO save
when he remembered himself Fl ..KE
WIN the stunning consciousness s ssa'
ne could cohesive OF no situation ~
cn he would have exchanged for @
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