New Britain herald., 1923-04-27
NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY

NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY
 ',his last statement carried weight with Basilo, By the time Blaze had turned My Man into the patio gate, the child had recovered his smile,
 Mercedes had been aware of Kil- dare's advent for five minutes or more before Blaze dlsmounted A warm glow of happiness enveloped her as she approached. Grief, and the breeding misery of weeks, left her Immediately. Yet she held back and trembled at the thought of meeting him. Nervous fingers performed miracles with her beautiful hair. Maidenly modesty bade her lower her eyes, but a flash of the carefree tom boy came back to her as she darted a quick glance into her mirror. There was color in her cheeks for the firts time in many days: a sparkle in her eyes.
 Blaze. with Baslio in his arms, reached the veranda as she came out. Language is useless to convey what they read in each others eyes Hat In hand. he stood before her silent. A word would have broken the spell the morning cast over them.
 Basilio's demand to be let down broughtback to Blaze realization of why he was there. He Began to say something. but as Mercedes put out her hand and his fingers closed over 1t he became speeches. again.
 "Oh, Senor, you do not know what you do when you come here like this"
 Blaze nodded his head ever so slightly. The risk was worth it.
 Men like Ortega or ugarde will kill you on sight
 A sudden impulse made Blaze lean toward her.
 T wonder if you'd care very much If they did get me-"
 He had won from her the conf- dence a woman usually gives only to one man; but true to- her sex, the thought of being forced into the open filled her with alarm. And because in such matters women are so much more the masters of themselves than men, she answered Blaze with tan- talking laugh that carried him beck to that day lip the river, when she had awakened emotions long dead in him.
 To atone for the confusion she caused him, she added
 "Of course I would care. You have been kind to me. I told you once l would speak true words to you. But why do you come?"
 I've been into Winnemucca; some things I had to look after for myself. I kept clear of the valley |
  hills below the river and saw how near I was to the hacienda, l had to risk coming I wanted to talk with Esteban. Basilio tells me he has gone to Kings River"
 "As far as that" A note of enXiety crent into her voice, "He left with out telling me where he was going
 "He wouldn't take me the little fellow chirped up. He said II was too dangerous.
 Dangerous? Both Mercedes and Blaze asked the question.
 Basilio repeated his words. The same thought flashed into the minds of both.
 If any danger was attached to ks- teban's trip, it could only be because he was taking short cut across the Double A country by way or the buttes.
 He ought to know bettetr than to trv that" Blaze said with a shade of annoyance at the boy. s foolhardiness. "Did he have a good horse?' He took the blackboard and team
 ..Why, you can't get through there with a rig. I've been over every foot of that country" He pointed to the child and tapped his lips with his finger as he went on. Hes going around by the crossing, all rlght' There's three or four hundred Indians