New Britain herald., 1923-04-19
NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY
 CHAPTER XIII.
The Mark on the sand


 Long before the first faint hint of Brena Vista was awake. Mercedes was ashen, First her brother and then her father had ridden away and had failed to return.
 Unable to stand inaction any longer she left the house and walked as far as the creek bottom where her father had crossed, listening for any sound that might announce his return.
 When Mariana returned with only Henaro Mercedes face fell. She had not known that her father had sent the other men to the railroad with sheep. But she lost no time in dis patching the vaquero for Kent. Old Mariana was put to service; she sent him to Ugarde's place, because it was nearest.
 Don't come back until you find them" she ordered. At daylight l will go myself to the Bulls Head"
 Loping along in the still uncertain light Mercedes mind centered on the Bulls Head and what she would find there. Acklin's shadow darkened all of her thoughts. But even so she became aware of the insistence Of the coyotes barking.
 Mercedes sent her horse into gall Ion. When she topped shallow arroyo her heart stopped beating as she caught sight of her fathers pow erful bay standing riderless, his head lowered and sweeping from side to side.
 Ringed about him red tongues sliding out over their wet fangs, crouched the coyote pack. Mercedes emptied her gun at them; they slunk away.
 She walked her pinto to where the other horse stood swaying. And then there at his feet, she saw the hud- dled body of her father
 Mercedes got to her knees and felt her. fathers cold hand. She promised herself she would be brave; that she would not give way. Then With sIckening heart, she saw the terrible wound. Tenderly her hands caressed his snow-white beard and hair; the cheeks so cold: the fine strong fore head rugged even in death.
 Trance-like. she got to her feet and nicked up Jose's rife. She broke it., fo find that it had not been dis charged. She laid it beside him. The big bay watched her carefully.
 There came then, down Smoky Canon, the pitterpatter of a horse. Mercedes caught sight of him as he struck the flat that stretched back into the rocky defile. With a thrill she recognized Kildare.
 When Blaze saw who it was ahead of him, his knees bored into his horses sides. and My Man raced to where Mercedes stood. The grim figure on the ground, the overwrought girl, and the empty-saddled bay told their own story. The message he brought her would have to wait now.
 He got down beside Jose and ex- amined the torn chest
 "A long-range gun and a high power bullet did this,' he told her. After he got to his feet he scanned the ragged rim-rocks nervously: and sought for an excuse to get the girl away. "You'd better ride to the hacienda and get rig; that is. If you think you're able to make it' f .'If you will wait, I'll go at once" Mercedes answered.
 Impulsively she placed her hand on his head. In low tones she mur- mured: There is Basque historia what you call a a K. saving: La verdad es amarga; nuien te la dice te estima' The truth is bitter; he who speaks like that to thee esteems thee very much Mer- cedes paused. The mans eyes held her own. We will speak the truth to each other, I guess, Senor."