Evening star., 1935-03-07

so that all guilt might drop away
from her
when did you tell this?" asked
the general, grimly.
"a week-10 days ago."
ITO what man?"
II never knew his name. But he
was drinking in the inn and COM
planning about Sergt. Andres. That
is ALL"
where is he now?"
How can I tell, excellency? I only
see what comes into the inn, and he
has not come there for many days"
Friends" said the general, sud-
denly, to his officers. sis she speak
ing the truth?"
She Is too pretty to tell q lie,"
answered Don Luis.
The general frowned and the frown
pulled the shag of his black hair
down over his eyes.
Then he waved his hand, saying:
THE rest of you leave me- Remain
outside the door. I am going to see
what the truth of this may be-
He added, with a roar, stop your
damned smiling and get out!"
The officers got out in haste, and
left Ignacio Estrada alone with the
girl.
He pointed to a chair. She thanked
him with little bow and slipped
into it. For time he remained
with his thoughts. Then he arose
and began to pace up and down the
room with his left hand on the hilt
of his sword. He knew how to move
his hand little so as to bring from
the scabbard an ominous and q mar
tial sound Of humming steel.
He began to marshal words like
soldiers, for he felt that he was about
to attack prize greater to him than
any rich city.
The wind had fallen from a yell
to moan and the rain no longer
whipped those aching bodies which
remained rigid on the ledge under
the windows of the Governors room.
After a time we'll grow cold and
weak enough to fall" said Rubriz to
his friend. "And then we'll climb
back inside to make last stand. But
we'll be no good then. 1t would have
been better If We had fought it out
in the beginning, when they broke
down the door"
He pointed down. Below them went
the lights of a patrol. Every few
minutes those lights had been pass
ing. The fort Of Duraya was as
tensely prepared as though a great
army were about to rush to the at
tack. and every man was at his post.
Still wait for a little" said Mon
tana. His jaws ached with cold as he
spoke. The words came shuddering
out of his throat I'VE still have
some part Of long chance"
What chance?" asked Rubriz.
"One chance brought us up to the
Governors rooms. Another chance
may get us out of the fort again.
Hush! That-that is Rosita!''
There had been a slight lull in the
rain again, and he heard the sweet
voice of the girl. penetrant because
of its high pitch. He worked quickly
along the ledge until he was under
the window of the bed room again.
He could look in over the sill, while
RubriZ was posted on the farther
side, whispering: Now that he's
alone there with the girl-we could
leap in and kill him, Montana. That
would be worth more than slaughter
ing dozen of the soldiers"
''Hush!' commanded Montana.
The girl had come into the bed
room and was looking quietly around
her. Behind her moved the Gov
ernor, his eyes glittering through the
black shagginesS of the hair that still
pitched from his forehead. Gen.
Estrada was excited. but the girl had
in her eyes that blank look which
the Kid had seen in them once before.
as though thought we're mastering
her senses.
She turned around and looked up
at the general withs those blank ewes
which we're seeing the future, per-
haps.
ROsita turns traitor. tomorrov.