The Bienville Democrat. [volume] (Arcadia, Bienville Parish, La.) 1912-1980, 1922-11-30

love and happiness for us. IT'S LIE O
DEATH"
She became quiet, and slowly recoy
cred control of herself. She wheele
to face Gale with proud dark ewes
tragic sweetness Of appeal, an exqu
site grace.
"Senor, YOU are an American. Yo
cannot know the Spanish bIood-th
peon bandits hate and cruelty.
wish to die before Rojas' hand touche
me. If he takes me alive, then tn
hour, the little day that my life Is 1t
afterward will be torture-torture O
hell. II | live two days his brutal mel
Will have me. If live three, the dog
OF MS camp Senior, have yol
sister whom you love! Help Seno
Thorne to save me. He is a soldier
he Is bound. He must not betray hi
honor, his duty, for me. Now
let me waste no more precious time
am ready. will be brave
She came close to Gale, holding on
her white hands, a woman all fire ant
soul and passion. To Gale she was
wonderful. His heart leaped. AS h,
bent over her hands ana kissed then
ne seemed to feel himself renewed
remade.
"Senorita," he said, 81 am happy tc
be your servant. can conceive of nc
greater pleasure than giving the serv.
ice you require"
"And what is that?' INQUIRED
ThOrne hurriedly.
"That of incapacitating Senior Rojas
for tonight. and perhaps several
nights to come" replied Gale. "rll
make a row in that saloon. I'll start
something. III rush Rojas and his
crowd. Ill"
Lord, no; you mustn't, Dick
you'll be knitted" cried Thorne.
"I'll take a chance. Maybe l can
surprise that slow Greaser bunch and
get away before they know what's
happened. You be ready
watching at the window. When the
row starts those fellows out there In
the plaza will run into the saloon.
Then you slip out go straight through
the plaza down the street. It's a dark
street, remember. I'll catch up with
you before you get far"
Thorne gasped, but did not say a
word. Mercedes leaned against him.
her white hands now at her breast,
her great eyes watching Gale as he
went out.
In the corridor Gale stopped long
enough to pull on pair Of heavy
gloves, to muss his hair, and dlsar-
range his collar. Then he stepped
into the restaurant, went through, and
halted in the door leading into the
saloon. No one appeared to notice
him. Gales rowing glance soon fixed
upon the man he took to be Rojas.
The Mexicans face was turned aside
He was in earnest, excited colloquy
with a dozen or more comrades, most
of whom were sitting round a table.
They were listening, talking, drinking.
The fact that they wore cartridge belts
crossed over their breasts satisfied
Gale that these were the rebels. He
became conscious Of an inward fire
that threatened to overrun his cool
ness. Other emotions harried his self.
control. II seemed as II sight of the
man liberated or created a devil in
Gale. And at the bottom Of his feel.
ings there seemed to be a wonder at
himself, a strange satisfaction for thu
something that had come to him.
He stepped out Of the doorway,
down the couple of steps to the floor
of the saloon, and he staggered
little, Stimulating drunkenness. He fell
over the pool tables, jostled Mexicans
at the bar, laughed like a maudlin
fool, and, with his hat slouched 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 corner some
what isolated. With fertile Nind
working, Gale iurched over to them.
II 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 squarely be-
Tore the two tall cowboys who were
ne looked straight into
heir lean, bronzed faces. He spared
l full moment for that keen, cool
yaze before he spoke.
I'm not drunk. In throwing a
duff, and mean to start a rough !
rouse. Tn going to rush that id
,andit Rojas. It's to save a girl-to
i've her lover, who Is my friend, a
nance to escape with her. She's In
he house. Rojas Is here to get her.
When l start a row my friend will try
o slip out with her. Every door and
window Is watched. I've got to raise
II to draw the guards In. e..
Veil, you're my countrymen. We're
q Mexico. A beautiful girls honor
md life are at stake. Now, gentle.
men, watch me-"
One cowboys eyes narrowed, blink
NJ a little, and his lean jaw dropped;
he others hard face rippled with 4
Getting smile.
Gale backed away, and his pulse
capped when he saw the two cowboys,
s II with one purpose, slowly stride
fter him. Then Gale swerved, stag.
ering along, brushed against the