The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-09-24
N7he GAY BANDIT
y Of TIE :, Pepper 30 APE
by TOM GILL


curled beneath her head. She seemed
quite untroubled, sleeping there as If
for the moment life had ceased to be
that stern antagonist against which
she stood ever on guard. At the
slight sound of his coming, she
opened her eyes, and again those
eyes were guarded and alert.
In the dusk they ate and smoked,
and either the cigarettes or the strong
tea allayed the fears of that inter.
niinable day. They began talking in
low tones.
Hes quieter," Ted told her. II
think his fever's broken. That may
be a good sign"
She nodded.
will you go back to Mendoza's
tonight"
II should, but until Bob's better I
won't. Damn Mendoza's," she added
sullenly.
He was silent, not knowing what
to say. There seemed so very little
to say to this impassive girl, always
so far away. always a little apart
from everything except that figure
in the darkened room.
Then, to his surprise, she began
talking about herself. II couldn't 20
TO Mendoza's and have anything hap
pen while I was gone" she told him
in the voice that seemed at times
like low-toned music. "But nothing
could happen, could it,"
Unable to answer. Ted shook his
head.
IF it does" She broke off. "He
was the gentlest soul ever knew"
1T was for you he asked first of
ALL"
She smiled and faint color came
again to her cheeks. you're good
to say that. But I'd made him prom.
Use to do it long ago."
you knew who he was long ago7"
For more than two years. It is
to me his leaders come for their or
ders. and it is to me they give their
information. There are few things
taking place on the border that don't
get whispered at Mendoza's. And
all those things sooner or later reach
Don Bob"
"But why?"
"Why do do it," She looked
squarely into his eyes. II don't want
you to be in the dark about me. We
must be friends, you and I. I've
loved more men than one, but none
like Bob. I've seen a good deal of
life, and I've got few of its knocks,
and I'm probably every bit as old as
you, SO you won't think I'm just an
irresponsible kid. And ! do it just
because I love him."
Bob is a lucky man."
Il don't know. Nobody can get
across to him. Bob's life is some-
where in the past. He's got two
things that are real to him-his
memories and his fight against Mo-
rales." As if the name brought up
some recollection, she frowned. then
added. II can tell you something
about yourself and Morales too
something helpful, maybe. but not
now" And soon she went to Bob's
rom and closed the door.
Price, when he came that evening.
seemed more cheerful. Bob's tenn.
perature was nearly normal. He was
quieter. and after watching him for
. time, the doctor took q sample Of
Ted's blood.
Lucky" he murmured. I'VE need
to be lucky, don't we? You see, your
blood happens to be the same type
IS Bob's."
Within an hour he had completed
10 TRANSMISSION. II think" he said.
tomorrow will see an improvement.
Give him a teaspoonful of brandy
in the morning before come" He
looked at Ted. "You'll probably be
able to sleep without trouble tonight
yourself. I'm going to stay here rn-
til midnight, so you can both get
some rest. Then :-ou"-he nodded
toward the girl-"better sit up"
/, And whether Il was the loss of
blood or the loss Of sleep. Ted did
nor open his eyes until the bright
sunlight of the next morning was
pouring in on him.
| -. (To Be Continued