Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1922-12-01
Copyright by Harper & Brothers.
Continued From Last Week
CHAPTER II
Mercedes castaneda.

IC
also several Mexicans lounging
against the hitching rail at the curb.
"Did you see him? Where did he
go?" whispered Thorne, as he Joined
Gale. 'Those Greasers out there with
the cartridge belts crossed over their
brcasts-they are rebels. I'm afraid
Roias has the house spotted"
"1f we could only be sure"
"Tm sure. Dick. Let's cross tho
hall I want TO see how it looks from
the ether 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 q patio. A few dim, yellow
LAMPS !lickered. Thorne entered a
huge chamber which was even more
poorly lighted than the hall. 1t con
tanned a table Uttered with papers, a
few high backed chairs, a couple of
couches. and was evidently a 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 I am here
she comes down. Mostly there are
people In this room a little later. We
60 out into the plaza. 1t faces the
dark side of the house, and that's the
place I must slip out with her II
there's any chance at all to get away"
They peered out Of the open win
dow. In a moment, however. Gale
made out a slow-pacing dark form on
the path. Farther down there was
another. No particular keenness was
required to see in these forms a SEN
tinel-like stealthiness.
Gripping Gales arm, Thorne pulled
back from the window.
"You saw Them" he whispered. tits
just as 1 feared. Rojas has the place
surrounded. l should have taken Mer-
cedes away. But l had no time-no
chance! I'm bound! There's
Mercedes now! My Cd! i
Dick, think, think-think if there's a
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, muffled
figure of a 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. 1t was a
mingling Of incoherent Spanish and
English; but to Gale it was mellow,
deep, unutterably tender, a voice full
of joy, fear, passion, hope and love.
Upon Gale it had an unaccountable
effect. He found himself thrilling,
wondering.
Thorne led the girl to the center of
the room, under the light where Gale
stood.
"Mercedes-Dick Gale. an old friend
the best friend l ever had"
She swept the mantilla back over
her head, disclosing a lovely face,
strange and striking to Gale in its
pride and fire. its intensity.
"Senor Gale-ah! l cannot speak
my happiness. His friendi"
Eyes. Mercedes; my friend and
yours" said Thorne, speaking rapidly.
"We1l have need of him. Dear,
there's bad news and no time to break
It gently. The priest did not come.
He must have been detained. And
~Iisten--be brave, dear Mercedes
Rnjas Is here"
She uttered an inarticulate cry, the
poignant terror of which shook Gales
nerve, and swayed as if she would
faint. Thorne caught her and in
husky voice importuned her to bear
up.
MY darlingi For Gods sake don't
faint-don't go to pieces! We'd be
lostl We've got a chance. Wen
Fight"
1t was plain to Gale that Thorne
was distracted. He scarcely knew
what he was saying. Pale and shak-
ing, he clasped Mercedes to him.
She cried out in Spanish, beseech-
ing him; and as he shook his head,
she changed to English:
"Senor, my lover, / will be strong
] will fght-I will obey. But swear
by my Virgin, if need be to save me
from Rojas-you will kill mel"
"Mercedesl Yes, I'll swear" he re-
piled, hoarsely. II know-pd rather
have you dead than But don't give
up. Rojas can't be sure Of you, or
he wouldn't wait. He's in there. He's
got his men there-all around US. But
he hesitates. A beast like Rojas
doesn't stand idle for nothing. l tell
you we've a chance. Dick, here, will
think of something. Well slip away.
Then he'll take you somewhere. Only
speak to him-show him you won't
weaken. Mercedes, this is more than
love and happiness for us. It's life or
DEATH"
She became quiet, and slowly recov-
cred control Of herself. She wheeled