San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-04-08

who was also drunk. 1t was all a
mistake about the Americana.
''Bueno!"
The matter had been adjusted; he
was to go free.
"Bueno.'
The secretary had a note from her
who was the lady of Don Tostado's
choice-also a hair-ribbon: the Ameri-
cano would understand.
"Bueno!" again! Who cares?
SO, at the hour which is usually
selected for removing man from the
Quartet to a spot against the adobe
wall, they liberated Johnny Powell
and handed him a note from Senorita
Romero, accompanied by a hair-ribbon
in his pocket. The message was this :
Senior Powell:
/ return thy ribbon that thou mayst
understand there is nothing any long
er between us. Senior Tostado, who is
very rich and honorable, is to take me
away. and this morning l go with him
joyfully. Because of his goodness of
heart, he has interceded in thy be-
half, but thou art to cross to thine
own country at once and never re-
turn.
/ who am most proud and happy ad
wise thee to think no more of
DOLORES ROMERO.
Johnny fingered the satin bow, and
his sensitive fingers. trained to detect
the slightest irregularity in an ivory
cube, felt the crinkle of paper under
the center knot of the ribbon. He
stuffed the bow carelessly into his coat
pocket.
make a nice little souvenir" he
said to the secretary. ''Tiene cigar
illo?"
The secretary proffered cigarette
and shrugged apologetically. His ex-
cellency would prefer that you not re-
turn to the hotel. and so 1 have my
self collect your money at Senior
Brayfield's. 1t ees here. We ride
south to Ayala> and there you may
cross"
you're some little master of cere-
MONIES" Johnny acknowledged. Lead
on"
Twenty feet past jutting rock that
hid them from view of the Quartet on
the hill. Johnny Powell leaned forward
in the saddle, and his right fist caught
Juan Cabrillo just behind the ear. The
secretary to his excellency slumped
off sideways. and sprawled face down.
ward in the dust. Forth from Johnny
Powells pocket came his lady's ribbon.
Under the knot was a second note.
His eyes deciphered the lines written
hurriedly in pencil.
Querido Mo:
Thy kiss is still warm OH my lips.
how can | go to my death, Knowing
thou wilt think me false? Tostado
is old and ugly. and most terrible
monster. But the price was thy life, be-
loyed-and gladly therefore do l pay.
In my bosom there is poison | have
got from la Belle Helene. This will
/ take when thou hast reached safety.
Go. and in the days to come may they
be many. amor MIC. think sometimes
of the little one who is no more.
DOLORES.
Juan Cabrillo was coming TO life.
Rrayfield's gamekeeper slapped, ana
shook. and clawed the man out of his
stupor, found gun and damned It
into Cabrillo's ribs-pulled the whole
wretched story out of him in gasps.
AT the Casa Cruz" shuddered his
victim. ION the Canine San Miguel
81 si-they are to breakfast there.
Mercy, senior, do not kill"
Flung bodily into the mesquite, Cab
rillo lapsed again into coma and his
horse. cut across the flank with a
rawhide. galloped off over the mesa.
Johnny Powell regained his own sad
die. wheeled and struck off toward
Casa Cruz.
Where the white 'dobe walls of
Casa Cruz welcome the traveller,
Johnny Powell flung himself Off. a
wind blown horse. In the courtyard a
dozen of Don Tostado's soldados
snrawled on benches, but he had a
dawn revolver in his hand, and they
made no move unth Hc hou .iStP
reared through the doorway OF the
Casa itself. Then they closed the
heavy gates, and flocked toward the
patio.
Johnny Powell was standing IN the
doorway of the dining room, Juan
Cabrillo's revolver trtiined on fat
cockatoo, and his left hand beekoning
to the spellbound Senorita Romero.
Dolores shrieked warning, but IL
was too late. Behind the young Amer
lean. Jose Garcia, proprietor of the
Casa Cruz, appeared suddenly with
n heavy wine bottle. He brought II
down with compelling force on the
head of Johnny Powell, and Johnny
crumpled up.
When he came to himself. Dolores
was kneeling by his side in the court
yard, and they were surrounded by q
wall of Tostado's men.
"Querido, mio,' whispered voice. u
had so hoped to have thee. Thou
shouldst have gone. But ah, beloved
l understand"
He nodded DULY, and struggled to