St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1922-11-04
FARMER 1922

with glittering dark eyes that flashed
in sinister intentness.
Dick stiffened in his seat. Thorne,
with sudden clenching Of hands,
wheeled toward the window.
"Rojas!" he whispered.
The dark face vanished. Dick Gale
heard footsteps and the tinkle of
spurs. He strobe to the window, and
was In time to see a Mexican swag-
ger into the front door Of the saloon
There were men passing in the street,
also several Mexicans lounging
against the hitching rail at the curb.
ibid you see hin7 Where did he
go?' whispered Thorne, as he Joined
Gale '"Those Greasers out there with
the cartridge belts crossed over their
breasts-they are rebels. I'm afraid
Rojas has the house spotted"
III we could only be sure"
I'm sure, Dick. Let's cross the
hall; want to see how it looks from
the other side Of the house."
Gale followed Thorne out Of the res
taurant into the high-ceiled corridor
which evidently divided the hotel
opening into the street and running
back to a patio. A few dim, yellow
lamps flickered. Thorne entered a
huge chamber which was even more
poorly lighted than the hail. It con-
tanned table Uttered with papers, a
few high-backed chairs, couple of
touches, and was evidently parlor
Mercedes has been meeting me
here" said Thorne. "At this hour she
comes every moment or so to the head
OF the stairs there, and II am here
she comes down. Mostly there are
people In this room little later. We
60 out into the plaza. It faces the
dark side Of the house, and that's the
place I must slip out with her If
there's any chance at all to get away"
They peered out of the open win
dow. In a moment, however, Gale
made out q slow-pac1ng dark form on
the path. Farther down there was
another No particular keenness was
required to see In these forms SEN
tinel-like stea}thiness.
Gripping Gales arm, Thorne pulled
back from the window.
"You saw them," he whispered. TITS
just as I feared. Rojas has the place
surrounded Itshould have taken Mer-
cedes away. But had no time-no
chance! I'm bound! There's
Mercedes now! My Cd!
Dick, think, think-think If there's
way to get her out of this trap!''
Gale turned as his friend went down
the room. In the dim light at the head
OF the stairs stood the slim, muff1ed
figure Of q woman When she saw
Thorne she flew noiselessly down the
stairway to him. He caught her in
his arms. Then she spoke softly, bro
kenly, in a low, swift voice. It was
mingling Of incoherent Spanish and
English; but to Gale it was mellow,
deep, unutterably tender, voice full
of Joy, fear, passion, hope and love.
Upon Gale 1t had an unaccountable
effect. He found himself, thrilling,
wondering.
Thorne led the girl to the center eft
the room, under the light where Gale
stood.
"MercedesrDick Gale, an old friend
the best friend ever had"
She swept the mantilla back over
her head, disclosing lovely face,
strange and striking t. Gale in its
pride and fire, its intensity.
"Senor Gale-ah! cannot speak
my happiness. His friend!''
eyes, Mercedes; my friend and
yours" said Thorne, speaking rapidly.
"We'll have need of him. Dear,
there's bad news and no time to break
1t gently. The priest did not come.
He must have been detained. And
listen-be brave, dear Mercedes
Rojas is here!"
CONTINUED next weekly