The L'Anse sentinel., 1923-03-09

II made the row, ali right, said
Dick. "Whlle I was rushing Rojas
a couple OF cowboys shot ont the
lamplights. A Mexican who pulled q
knife on me got hurt, l 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.
Then her voice failed. But her
hands flew up quick as flash she
raised her face-kissed him. Then
she turned and with a sob fell Int
Thorne's arms.
There enSued silence broken only
by Mercedes sobbing. Gale walked
some PAGES away. II he were not
stunned, he certainly was agltated.
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
wns the splendid glow OF gladnesn
that he had been of service to Thorne.
"Dlck, Dick, come herer' called
Thorne softly. "Let's pull ourselves
together now. We've got problem
yet. What to do2 Where go2 How
to get any place? We're on good old
U. 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 call. Dickl It's a call" he
cried.
Gale had no answer TO make. Mer>
cedes stood as If 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 It Is 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 a deserterW
| go backi Go back, before you're
too later cried Mercedes.
Better make tracks, Thorne,"
added Gale. 1T can't help our pre-.
dicament for you to be arrested. III
take care Of Mercedes
"No, no, no." replied Thorne. 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 can run back
in time. But, oh, hate to leave her
| Old fellow, you've saved her! I al.
ready owe you everlasting gratitude.
Keep out Of Caslta, Dick. The u. s.
side might be safe, but I'm afraid TO
trust It at night. Go out in the des-
ert, up In the mountains, In some safe
place. Then come to me in camp.
| Wen plan. I'll have to conflde In
| Colonel Weede. Maybe he'll help us.
Hide her from the rebels-that's nll."
He wrung Dicks hand, clasped Mer-
cedes tightly in his arms, kissed her,
and murmured low over her.. then re-
leased her to rush off into the dark.
ness He disappeared In the. gloom.
The sound OF his duh 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 Ia Caslta there
were many Americans who might be
friend him, he could not chance the
risks of seeking them at night.
He felt slight touch on his arm,
felt 1t move down, felt Mercedes slip n
trembling cold little hand into his.
Dick looked at her. II 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. HI
was alone with her. He had no weaI,
on. no money, no food, no drink, nc
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. II was critical, des
perate situation. He thought first OF
the girl, and groaned in spirit. prayed
that II would be given him to save
her. When he remembered himself Il
was with the ,tunning consciousness
that he could conceive OF no situation
which he would have exchanged FOR
this one-where fortune had set him
a perilous task of loyalty to friend
to helpless girl.