Arkansas State press., 1943-10-29
VII


him, A moment later when her
horse dropped to all four feet, she
came within striking distance, and
again the quirt lashed out to cut
Chesebro, across the shoulders this
time. Chesebro was too dignifed to
run from her; an appraised arm to
fend OIL the lightninglike quirt was
his only defense.
A frenzy was in that beautiful arm
which rose and fell IN vicious swings
that were cutting Ghesebro's face to
ribbons; she had gone mad with
hatred of him.
"Elsa!' | shouted, starting from
u place beside the oxcart "Elsa!"
But she didn't hear me. Chesebro
was now rolling along the ground.
alive to his danger but as yet IN
able to escape the flashing whip. !
looked for him at any moment to
regain his feet and in his anger and
pain fell her with a blow of his arm.
to do her a great bodily injury.
'Elsal Stop it! Stop it," | shout
ed. moving rapidly down upon her,
Rogers at my heels.
My voice must have reached her
consciousness dimly. for she hest
tated for a fraction of a second, her
arm appraised to deliver a blow that
might have blinded Chesebro.
ELSA" l said sharply. "Elsa!"
The rigid arm relaxed, the quirt
slowly fell from her nerveless an-
gers, the quirt which later vas to
play so vital a part in our tragic
story. Its short, braided leather ham
die, the curious knob on the end
carved into the head Of a human
being with a horrid smile on the
leather features is something III
never forget.
The rage that had stirred Elsa to
a frenzy melted quickly away. Rog-
ers released her and went to help
Chesebro to his feet. Suddenly Elsa
turned into my arms, soft and yield
ing, trembling weakly.
"Oh, B~arry!" she said A sob
shook her body convulsively. "Oh,
Barry-I said that someday I'd pull
off his legs. But that's not enough.
I'm going to kill him instead"
Chesebro was put gently to bed in
an enormous room furnished in an
cient black walnut; the high ceiling
and the great length and breadth
Of the room gave me the feeling al
most Of being in a cathedral.
In an incredibly short time, con-
sidering that this was Mexico, the
doctor arrived. DR.. Miguel Cruz
was comparatively young and of
few words. He was one of those
solid, vigorous men Of great driving
force. He asked only a question or
two, examined the raw wounds on
his patients face and neck made
by Elsa's lash, sat long with his fin.
gers upon Chesebro's pulse, got out
his stethoscope and listened to the
heart action.
1T is the heart, yes" he said at
last, speaking English with a strong
rhythmic accent. Hes had an at
tack; it is light, but he shall re-
main in bed for several days. Why
the face like this?" he inquired, in
dicating the bruised flesh. He did
not fall on the face, no?"
There was an-argument, Doc
tor Cruz" Rogers replied slowly,
in which he was severely beaten.
With a whip"
"Ahl" responded Doctor Cruz and
shrugged his shoulders d~iscreetly.
l went into town with the doctor
when he left that early afternoon.
As | explained to Huntoon Rogers,
It was best that someone of US
sought out Reed Barton, to tell him
of what had happened. There were
perhaps business matters hanging
tire--things that needed doing-and
consultations between Reed and his
chief, whenever the doctor permit
ted, were indicated.
You're coming out again, Of
course, for the EVENING"" Rogers in
quired.
Eyes. | wouldn't miss a fiesta. !
don't suppose C%hesebro's condition
will make any difference in their
plans"
II think not"
George Rumble, lingering in the
shade of a clump Of bananas, came
to life.
Il believe I'll go along with you.
All right is 1t, Doc?" he asked Of
Doctor Cruz.
"You bet responded the MeXi-
can physician. And so we rode into
town together.
Doctor Cruz dropped me a few
minutes later in a side street where
over a doorway let into a glazing
white wall was a sign bearing Cheese.
bros name. II was the siesta hour,
but | entered its comfortable shady
interior where the heat of the day
apparently had not penetrated A
youthful Mexican sitting idly al a
typewriter looked up, and got quick.
ly out Of his chair.
"A sus ordenes, SENIOR" he said.
"Senor Barton; is he in?" | in.
quired in Spanish
Isl, senior; por esta puerta," he
said rapping gently, then opening the
dSor into the inner office,
II. II -