Roanoke Rapids herald., 1924-01-04

ing her breast, making the task of
breathing most difficult. To Madeline
the time seemed to fly with the speed
of miles.
Cactus barred the way, rocks barred
the way, gullies barred the way. and
these Nels addressed in the grim
humor with which he was wont to
view tragic things. Again and again
LINK used the planks to cross washes
In sand. Presently he came to
ditch where water had worn deep into
the road. Without hesitation he placed
them, measuring distance carefully,
ana then started across. The danger
was In ditching the machine One of
the planks split, sagged a little, but
Link made the crossing without slip.
AT length mile of clean, brown
slope. ridged and grooved like wash
board. led gently down to meet the
floor Of the valley, where the scnnt
grama-grass struggled to give tinge
OF gray. The road appeared to be-
come more clearly defined, and could
be seen striking straight across the
valley.
To Madeline's dismay, that road
led down to deep narrow wash. The
crossing would have been laborsome
for a horse; for an automobile 1t was
impossible. Link drove back to the
road. crossed 1t, and kept on down the
line OF the wash. It was deep cut in
red earth, worn straight down by
swift water in the rainy season. 1t
narrowed. When Link reached the
narrowest points he got out of the car
and walked from pace to place. Once
with little jump he cleared the wash.
Then Madeline noted that the farther
rim was somewhat lower. In a flash
she OWNED Links intention. He was
hunting place to jump the car over
the crack In the ground
Soon he found one that seemed to
suit him. for he tied his red scarf upon
greasewood-bush. Then, returning
to the car, he clambered in, backed up
the gentle slope and halted just short
of sleeper ground. launching low over
the wheel. he started, slowly at first,
then faster. and then faster. The great
| Noi saw u cpi Ing llhV huSS llSSI.
The impact of suddenly formed wind
almost tore Madeline out of her seat.
She felt Nels' powerful hands on her
shoulders. She closed her eyes. The
jolting headway of the car gave place
to gliding rush. This was broken
by slight jar, and then above the
hum and roar rose cowboy yell.
Madeline waited with strained nerves
for the expected crash. 1t did not
come. Opening her eyes, she saw the
level valley floor without break. She
had not even noticed the instant when
the car had shot over the wash.
A strange breathlessness attacked
ity with which she was being carried
Ealong. Pulling the hood down over her
face. she sank low In the seat. The
whir of the car now seemed to be
wOrld-f1lling sound. There was long,
blank period from which she awakened
to feel an arm supporting her. Then
she rallied. The velocity of the car
had been cut to the speed to which she
was accustomed. Throwing back the
hood. she breathed freely again, recov-
cred fully.
The car was bowling along wide
road upon the outskirts of a city.
Madeline asked what place it could be.
Douglas" replied Link. can Jest
around is Aqua P.ieta"
That last name seemed to stun
Madeline. She heard no more, and
| saw little until the car stopped. Nels
spoke to some one. Then sight of
khaki-clad soldiers quickened Made
lines faculties. She was on the boun-
dary-lIne between the United States
and Mexico, and Aqua Prieta, with its
white and blue-walled houses. Its
brown-tiled roofs, lay before her. A
cavalry officer approached the car,
stared, and removed his sombrero.
"Can you tell me anything about
| Stewart. the American cowboy who
was captured by rebels a few days
ago?" asked Madeline.
"Yes," replied the officer. Stewart
Is reported to have done reckless fight
ing and was captured. He got a Mexi-
can sentence. He is known here along
the border. and the news of his cap
ture stirred up excitement. We did
all we could to get his release. The
guerrillas feared to execute him here,
and believed he might be aided to es-
cape. So detachment departed with
him for Mezquital."
HE was sentenced to be shot Thurs
day at sunset-tonight?
Yes. l regret that l can't give you
definite information. If you are friends
of Stewards relatives Il might
find"
II am his wife," interrupted Made
line. will you please read these"
She handed him the kilograms. "Ad-
wise me-help me. If you CAM"
With wondering glance at her the
officer received the kilograms. He
read several. and whistled low In
amaze. His manner became quick,
alert. serious.
II can't read these written in Span
ish. but I know the names signed"
Swiftly he ran through the others.
"Why. these mean Stewards release
has been authorized. They explain
mysterious rumors we have heard
here. Greaser treaehery! For some
strange reason messages from the
rebel junta have failed to reach their
destination. I'll go with you to Gen.
eral Salazar, the rebel chief In COM