Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1923-02-08


there's any chance at all to get away"
They peered out of the open win
dow. In moment, however, Gale
made out slow-pacing dark form on
the path. Farther down there was
another Nc particular keenness was
required to seq 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 | feared. Rojas has thu place
surrounded. 1 should have taken Mer-
cedes away. But / had no time-no
chance! I'm bound There's
Mercedes now! My Cd .
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, muffied
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 It was a
m1gling Of incoherent Spanish and
English but to Gale it was mellow,
deep, unutterably tender, voice full
of joy, fear, passion, hope and love.
Upon Gale it had an unaccountab1e
effect He found himself thrilling,
wondering.
Thorne led the girl to the center eff
the room, under the light where Gale
stood.
Mercedes Gale, an old friend
the best friend 1 ever had"
She swept the mantilla back over
her head, disclosing a lovely face,
strange and striking to Gale in it's
pride and fire, it's intensity.
"Senor Gale-ah! / cannot speak
my happiness. His friendm
Eyes, Mercedes; my friend and
yours" said Thorne, speaking rapidly.
"We'n have need of him. Dear,
there's bad news and no time to break
1t gently The priest did not come.
He must have been detained. And
listen-be brave, dear Mercedes
Rojas 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 darling! For Gods sake don't
faint-don't go to pieces We'd be
lost! We've got. a chance. Wen
think of something. Be strong
Fightr'
It 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 i'll Spanish, beseech-
ing him; and as he shook his head,
she changed to English:
"senor, my lover, l will be strong
I viii fight will obey. But swear
by my Virgin, if need be to save me
from Rojas-yo will kill mel"
Mercedes! Yes, I'll swear" he re
piled, hoarsely. Il know-Td 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. tell
you we've a chance. Dick, here, will
think of something. Wen 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 7heeled
to face Gale with proud dark eyes,
tragic sweetness of appeal, an ekqui-
site grace.
"Senor, you are an American You
cannot know the Spanish blood--the
peon bandits hate and cruelty. !
wish to die before Rojas' hand touches
me- If he takes me alive, then the
hour, the little day that my life lasts