Sioux County pioneer., 1922-12-21
was scared-helpless,

a couple Of cowboys shot out the
lamplights. A Mexican who pulled a
knife on me got hurt, I guess. Then
I think there was some shooting from
the rebels after the room was dark"
Mercedes pressed close to him,
touched his hands, looked up into his
face with wonderful eyes. He thought
he would not soon forget their beauty
the shadow Of pain that had been,
the hope dawning SO fugitively.
Dear lady" said Gale, with voice
not wholly steady, "Rojas himself
will hound you no more tonight, nor
for many nights"
She seemed to shake, to thrill, to
rise with the intelligence. She pressed
his hand close over her heaving breast.
Gale felt the quick throb of her heart.
"Senorl Senior Dickl' she cried.
Then her voice failed. But her
hands few up; quick as flash she
raised her face-kissed him. Then
she turned and with sob fell into
Thorne's arms.
There ensued a silence broken only
by Mercedes sobbing Gale walked
some PAGES away. II he were not
stunned, he certainly was agitated.
The strange, sweet fire Of that girls
lips remained with him. On the spur
Of the moment he imagined he had a
jealousy Of Thorne. But presently
this passed. What remained with him
was the splendid glow Of gladness
that he had been Of service to Thorne.
"Dick, Dick, come here! called
Thorne softly. Lets pull ourselves
together now. We've got q problem
yet. What to do? Where to got How
to get any place? We're on good old
q. s. ground this minute, but we're
not out of danger"
As he paused, evidently hoping for
a suggestion from Gale, the silence
was broken by the Clear, ringing peal
Of bugle. Thorne gave violent
start.
ITS a call, Dick! It's a call!' hs
cried.
Gale had no answer to make. Mer.
cedes stood as II stricken. The bugle.
call ended. From distance another
family pealed. There were other
sounds too remote to recognize. Then
scattering shots ratified out.
"Dick, the rebels are fighting some
body" burst out Thorne excitedly.
"The little federal garrison still holds
its stand. Perhaps 1t 10 attacked
again. Anyway. there's something do
ing over the line. Maybe the crazy
Greasers are firing on our camp.
We've feared tin the dark.
And here am, away without leave
practically deserterl"
go back! Go back, before you're
too late Z" cried Mercedes.
Better make tracks, Thorne."
added Gale. ut can't help our pre-
dicament for you to be arrested. I'll
take care Of Mercedes.~
"No, no, no." replied 1norne. II
can get away-avoid arrest"
Mercedes embraced her lover.
begged him to go. Thorne wavered.
"Dick, I'm up against IT,, he said.
you're right. If only l can run back
in time. But, oh, hate to leave her!
Old fellow, you've saved her! l al.
ready owe you everlasting gratitude.
Keep out Of Casita, Dick. The U. 8.
side might be safe, but I'm afraid to
trust 1t at night. Go out In the des
ert, up in the mountains, in some safe
place. Then come to me ha camp
Wen plan. I'll have to confide in /.
Colonel Weede. Maybe he'll help uA
Hide her from the rebels that's ALL.
He wrung Dicks hand, clasped Mer
cedes tightly in his arms, kissed her
and murmured low over her, then re-.
leased her to rush of into the dark.
ness. He disappeared in the gloom.
The sound of his dull FOOTBALLS gradu.
ally died away.
Gale realized that he was between
the edge of an unknown desert and
the edge Of hostile town. He had
to choose the desert, because, though
he had no doubt that III Casita there
were many Americans who might be-
friend him, he could not chants the
risks Of seeking them at night.
He felt a slight touch on his kfm,i
felt 1t move down, felt Mercedes slip a
trembling cold little hand into his.
Dick looked at her. If the loneliness,
the silence, the desert, the unknown
dangers Of the night affected him.
what must they be to this hunted,
driven girl? Gales heart swelled. He
was alone with her. He had no weap-
on, no money, no food, no drink, no
covering, nothing except his two
hands. He did not know where to
find the railroad, or any road or trail,
or whether or not there were towns
near or far. It was critical, des-
Sperate situation. He thought first Of
the girl, andSgroaned in spirit, prayed
that it would be given him to save
her. When he remembered himself 1t
was with the stunning consciousness
that he could conceive Of no situation
which he would have exchanged for
this one-where fortune had set him
perilous task Of loyalty to a friend,
to helpless girl. 4:
""Senor, sanor!" suddenly whispered
n 49, -