The Bienville Democrat. [volume] (Arcadia, Bienville Parish, La.) 1912-1980, 1922-11-23
n strange, unfamiliar impetuoslty.

81 strange, unfamiliar impetuosity.
"Thorne. l should say was glad
be the fellow" replied Dick.
Their hands locked for the momen
and they sat down again with head
close over the table.
| Listen" began Thorne, in Low
swift whisper, "a few days, wee
ago--it seems like year!-l was 9
| some assistance to refugees fieeln
from Mexico into the States. The
were all women, and one Of them wa
dressed as a nun. Quite by acclden
I saw hal face. 1t was that Of
!! beautiful girl. l observed she KEEP
| aloof from the others. I suspected
disguise, and, when opportunity al
forded, spoke to her, offered my serv
| ices. She replied to my poor efforts a
Spanish in fluent English. She hal
fed In terror from her home. SOM
place down In Slnaloa. Rebels ar
active there. Her father was cap
tured and held for ransom. When tn
ransom was paid the rebels killed
him. The leader Of these rebels wa!
bandit named Rojas. Rojas saw
the daughter, made Off with her. Blu
she contrlved to bride her guards, ant
escaped almost Immediately before
any harm befell her. She hid amonl
friends. Rojas nearly tore down thu
town in his efforts to find her Their
she disguised herself and Travelled by
horseback, stage and train to Casita
"She had no friends here, no money
She knew Rojas was trailing her
This talk I had with her was at the
railroad station. where all was hustle
and confusion. No one noticed us, SC
I thought. advised her to remove
the disguise Of nun before she left
the waiting-room. And I got boy to
guide her. But he fetched her to this
house. had promised to come In
the evening to talk over the situation
with her.
Il found her, Dick, and when | saw
her-I went stark, staring, ravlns mad
over her. She Is the most beautiful,
wonderful girl | ever saw. Her name
Is Mercedes Castaneda, and she be,
longs to one Of the old wealthy Span.
ish families. She has lived abroad
and in Havana. She speaks French
~ we'll as English. She is-but I
must be brief.
"Dlck, think, think! With Mercedes
also It was love at first sight, My
plan Is to marry her and get her far
ther to the interior, away from the
border. It may not be easy. She's
watched. So am I. Rojas must have
got word to hts friends here; yester.
day his gang of cutthroat rebels ar
rived. and today he came. When |
learned that, took my chance and
left camp; I hunted up priest. He
promised to come here. It's time he's
due. But I'm afraid he'll be stopped.
You see, we're over the line"
Are we In Mexican territory now"
queried Gale, sharply.
II guess yes, old boy. That's what
complexities it. Rojas and his rebels
have Casita In their hands. If MA.
cedes is really watched-if her ilen-
tity Is known, which I am sure is the
case-we couldn't get far from this
house before I'd be knitted and she
seized"
"Good heavens! Thorne, can lnat
sort Of thing happen less than q
stones throw from the United States
lineT asked Gale, incredulously.
1T can happen, and don't you forget
Il. You don't seem to realize the
power these guerrilla leaders, these
rebel captains, and particularly these
bandits, exercise over the mass Of
Me1icans. I've seen Rojas, He's a
handsome, bold, sneering devil, valner
Than any peacock. He decks himself
IN gold lace and silver trappings, in
al the fnery he can steal. He spends
gold like he spills blood. But he is
chiefly famous for abducting women. !
The peon girls consider 1t an honor
% be ridden of with. Rojas has :
'hown a penchant for girls Of the bet.
er class"
Thorne wiped the perspiration from !
MS pale face and bent a dark gaze
tut Of the window before he resumed |
lis talk.
Consider what the position Of Mer.
'edes really Is. Rojas can turn all the
hidden underground influences to his
'nds. Unless I thwart him he'll get !
Mercedes as easily as he can light a
cigarette. But III kill him or some
4 bis gang or her before l let him
Jet her. .. This Is the situation,
I'D friend. I've little time to spare
face arrest for desertion. Rojas Is
n town. l think I was followed to
his hotel. The priest has betrayed
10 or has been stopped. Mercedes Is
ere alone, waiting, absolutely de-
endent upon me to save her FROM
rom >. She's the sweetest, love,