The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-09-17
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BY TOM GILL


ready | am planning TO strike-one
success and all the country will fol-
low us. And if we fail"
"Yes?"
"Then I shall kidnap Mendoza's
star singer and take her to some
tropical island where there are no
bandits or pesos or tyranny, except
the tyranny of love-"
Submissively she laid her dark
head on his arm. "And could have
you all to myself" she murmured.
Bob, l am so tired of the struggles
of men and their hates and secrets.
| What does it matter about these
| poems, whether they are free or
slaves? Always something is telling
me all this is so vain-and it is only
love that matters"
Bob smiled. He looked down at
her with vast tenderness. "Ann,"
he told her, II sometimes suspect
you OF sentiment. Now l must 20.
Tell Manuel to be watchful." He
raised her long, delicate fingers.
Again put my life in these pretty
white hands,"
And if these pretty white hands
should betray your"
He shrugged. II should say that
too would be part of the great game.
Yet even then it would sadden me
to destroy this lovely body of yours.
tor l am really very fond of YOU"
Il wonder" she questioned. II
wonder if you are really fond of
anyone"
From the open door Don Bob
smiled back. "There are one or two
people l have great weakness for.
Ann mia, and you are the loveliest
of them ALL"
For long time after the door had
closed, the girl sat staring into the
mirror before her. At last she
smiled, and once again she touched
those lips of hers with deepest car
mine.
AS summer gave way to autumn,
the whole border about Verdi found
itself girding for war. News of ap-
preaching revolution from Mexico
City added to the unrest. All knew
that if the Mexican government
should fall. or find its own hands
filled with revolution, Morales would
have to depend on his own vauueros
alone. So both sides made ready.
quietly but steadily, and men rode
the Mexican ranges cautiously, not
knowing friend from foe.
From time to time the war depart-
ment prodded the little major to see
that he would not slacken in his
pursuit of Ell Coyote. And although
Blount hunted carly and late, fol-
lowing every vagrant clue, he had
only the memory of long, futile pur-
suits through the sun-baked desert
as reward for all his efforts. Aunt
Clara was the chief beneficiary.
ITS doing the major a world of
good" she said more than once. to
his discomfort. "The dear mans
khgure is absolutely seductive, and
his digestion is strong as an os-
trich's again. These little games Of
hide-and-seek are making a new man
OF him. I wonder if FL Coyote
knows he's being chased? Il has
never interfered with his activities.s
But. as = matter of fact, it had.
Don Bob, throughout that torrid
summer, had spent long days back
in the Mexican hills. laying his
plans, keeping his band scattered in
little groups that dared meet only
for an occasional raid and . quick
retreat to the hills again.
One morning in late winter found
Ted with old Manuel, driving q herd
of cattle to water on the Mexican
side. Manuel logged tirelessly along
on his thin pony. shouting at the
struggling cattle, swearing fine Span
ish oaths as the clouds of choking
dust drifted upward and enve1oped
them. At last he pointed before him.
Down there it is, Seiior Ted. Be-
yond that arroyo is the waterhole.
Let US rest there now, and by eve
ming We shall make the higher coun.
try where grass is better"
J (To Be Cont,nued)