The Adair County news., 1922-03-21


cons of the floor. block by block. dig
ging at the dried mud between the
logs of the wall; endeavOring to gain
sCme leverage upon the hinges of the
door, and tugging once again furious
ly at those wooden stakes protecting
the narrow window. His fingers bled
from the frantic effort to thus loosen
something, to yield him an opportuni-
ty to really exert his strength. These
efforts were utterly useless; there was
not a spot of weakness to be discOv-
cred. If the place had been originally
constructed as a prison it could not
have been more securely built. Men
tally and physically exhausted, he
flung himself upon the floor. and lay
there, quivering from head to foot,
with nerves completely shattered.
The silence became CHASTITY; any
sound would have been a relief. There
was no one moving about even in that
other room, and the door between fitted
too closely for him to perceive any
geam of light. He listened intently,
holding his breath, but his head sank
back once more in detection. Why in
Gods name hadn't he fought it out
like man? Why had he ever permit
ted himself to be thus caught like
trapped rat? The frenzy of disgust he
felt caused him to sit up and stare
once more at the single star shining
through the window. What was that?
A shadow? Surely something out yOn-
der moved!
Silently, cautiously, he stepped on
the stool, and looked out between the
bars, his heart beating like a drum. At
first he saw nothing, the blood seem
ing to stand still as he gazed-then
the fingers of a hand grasped one of
the wooden bars, and a face rose
slowly just in front of his own. A
whisper revealed the identity of his
visitor.
"Senor, come quietly to window; do
not speak loud"
"Pancha, you! You would talk with
me, then?
81 must know some things, senior; l
must be sure" she said fiercely. "YOu
tell me tonight the truth, senior; you
not lie to me-"
Not a single word" he assured her
eagerly, his heart beginning to beat
with new hope, his face advanced I'M
til only the bars divided them. 81
trusted you"
You are Senior ShelbyT'
"Yes."
-"And she, this woman. is your
wife?"
"Yes."
"She IS pretty woman, verra pretty !;
you not married long?"
mo, only a few days; we had just
come to the ranch when she was tax
en- away"
But, senor, why she go away If she
be lust married like you say? Why
she leave you, an run off with SenOr
Macklin? She love heem better than
your
Love him! She did not run off. he
stole her, he and four Indians. after
leaving me for dead"
He not tell eet to me like that; he
say she want to marry heem, an not
YOU. That he took her to save her from
you; that she would not let heen
leave her. Then you fight, an so gel
keeled."
Shelby laughed softly.
$50 that was MackIin's story, was
IT? Well, it is not exactly true.
amt SAYING she's in love with me, OF
nothin' like that, but she sure don't
banker none after that chap. I'll tell
yer why he took her-cause she's got
a bunch O. money comm her way dowr
east that MackIin would like to gel
his hands on" -.-,..-.'
"He marry her?"
That's his game. no doubt, if il
works. If not, he'll evolve some other
l don't think he gives a cuss how it's
done, so he gets it-he and his pre-
ciOus father"
She stared at him with lip:
parted.
'cIaybe l see it more clear now,'
Sbe exclaimed. ale not love her
then; he just want her money, bah!
| care not how he get that, if he not
get her. You take her away, SenOr
Shelby. where he never see her
again?"
"Of course"
"An' you keep her married to yOu?"
"TIl do the best l can. What do
you mean, Pancha? Can you get us
out of hcre?"
"Si senior; know the way that 9TH
ers do not. l get you out, but" pas
siOnately, "eet is not TO save you. l
belong here-see; with Juan, my
brother. | am born outlaw, yet she
must go! That 1 resolve. If she stay
here I keel her. But 'tis easier way
to have her married to you, an safe"
"YOu love Macklin?'
"Si, senOr." proudly, why not? He
say he love me; yet she come. Madre
de DiOs. | hate her! She take my
love! She! Eet shall not be. You
swear, senior, that she go with you, an
never come back any mOre?"
"Yes, Pancha, / swear that Once
we are away she shall never come
ho oil ~ bn oDcUarad coharIv iOnrpScpd