The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1922-11-30

cred control Of herself. She wheeled
70 lace Gale with proud dark eyes,
| tragic sweetness OF appeal, an eXQul.
| site grace.
"Scnor. YOU are an American. You
cannot know the Spanish blood-thc
peon bandits hate and cruelty.
wish to die before RoiaS' hand touches
me. If he takes me alive, tfien the
hour, the little day that my life lasts
aftcrward will be torturc-torture of
hell. If live two days his brutal men
VIII have me. If live three the dogs
or MS camp Sen0r. have you
sister whom you love! Help Senor
Ihornc to save me. He is soldier.
lie Is bound. He must not betray his
honor, his duty, for me. Now,
let me waste no more precious time.
am ready. / will be brave"
She came close to Gale, holding out
her white hands n woman all fire and
soul and passion. To Gale she was
wonderful. His heart lcapcd AS he
bent over her hands ana kissed them
he seemed to feel himself renewed,
remade.
"Senorita," he said, 81 am happy to
be your servant. can conceive Of no
greater pleasure than giving the serv-
ice YOU require"
"And what is that?" inquired
Thorne hurricdly.
"rhat of incapacitating Scnor Rojus
for tonight, and perhaps several
nights to come" replied Gale "Tll
make row in that saloon. I'll start
something. I'll rush Rojas and his
crowd. Ill"
Lord. no; YOU mustn't, Dick
you'll be knifed!" cried Thornc.
"I'll take chance. Maybe can
surprise that slow Grcascr bunch and
get away before they know what's
happened. You he ready
watching at the window. When the
row starts those fellows out there IN
the plaza will run into the salt&on.
Then you slip out, go straight through
the plaza down the street. It's dark
street, I remember. III catch up with
YOU before YOU get far"
Thorne gasped, but did not say n
| word. Mercedes leaned against him,
| her white hands now ut her breast,
| her great eyes Watching Gale ~ he
| went out.
In the corridor Gale stopped long
enough to pull on Il pair OF heavy
gloves, to muSs his hair, ana disar.
range his collar. Then he stepr9ed
into the restaurant. went threugh ana
halted in the door leading into the
saloon. No ono appeared to notice
him. Gales rowing glance soon fixed
upon the man he took TO be RoiaS.
The McNiransS face was turned aside,
lie was in earnest, excited collOuuy
with dozen or more comrades, most
Of whom wrAa sitting round n table.
They were listening, talking, drinking.
The fact that they wore cartridge bolts
crossed over their breasts satisfied
Gale that these were the rebels. He
became conscious Of an inward fire
that threatened to ovcrrrm his cool
ness. Other emotions harrcd his self
COZ rol. 1t seemed as II sight OF the
man liberated or created devil in
Gale. And at the bottom Of his feel
ings there seemed to be n wonder at
himself, q strange satisfaction for the
something that had come to him.
He stepped out Of the doorway.
down the couple of steps to the floor
or the saloon. and he staggered
little, Stimulating drunkenness. He fell
over the pool tables, jostlcd Mcxicans
at the bar, laughed like Il mnudlin
fool, and, wita his hat sl0uchcd down
crowded here and there. Presently
his eye caught sight Of the group of
cowboys whom he had before noticed
with such interest.
They were still in q corner some.
what isolated With fertile mind
working. Gale lurchcd over to them.
If he were to get any help from these
silent aloof rangers 1t must be by
striking fire from them in one swift
stroke. Planting himself squarcly be
fore the two tall cowboys who were
standing, he looked straight into
their lean. hronzcd faces lie spared
q full moment for that keen, cool
gaze before he spoke.
"I'm not drunk. Tn. throwing u
bluff ana mean to start Il cough
house. I'm going to rush that ID
bandit Roins. It's to save Il girl--to
give her lover. who is my friend.
chance to escape with her. She's in
the house. R0jas is here to get hc;.
When start II row my friend Will try
to slip out with her Every door and
window Is watched. I've got to raise
HI to draw the guards In.
Well. you're my countrymcn We're
In Mexico. a beautiful girls honor
and life are at stake. Now. gentle
men, watch me-"
One cowboys eyes narrowed. blink
ing little, and his lean Jaw dropped
the others hard face ripplcd with -
flceting smile.
Gale backed away, and his pulse
leaped when he saw the two cowboys