The Wilmington morning star., 1947-02-28

way down to tell you. Please don't
be mad"
There isn't time to be mad
Anything could happen if Janet
iel into the soldiers hands. Nor.
man might give himself up. OF
worse still, attack the garrison and
put himself for all time on the
wrong side of the law. Or Cliff 6
own men might make some des.
perate attempt to rescue her. And
even in that moment of crisis Cliff
felt a reluctant admiration for
M~adison's strategy in sending sol
dlers to take Janet instead of his
own vaqueros. Cliff might oppose
the vaqueros, but he could not risk
open conflict with the federalists.
He lifted Lilli from out the chair.
Go wake Janet" he ordered.
Have her put on her riding things
and meet me at the office. Make
her hurry"
In the barn, he saddled his two
best horses, and leaving them hid,
den behind a bulldozer, ran back
to the office. Janet and Lilli were
already waiting, and he bundled
Janet into her jacket.
We've got to get away from
here" he told her. There's nc
time to explain why, but if you're
caught it means a smash-up.'
I'm ready" Her face was pale,
but the low voice was resolute. and
he knew he could count on her.
There would be. no weakening
whatever happened, and within
him he felt a thrill of pride that
this should be so.
Turning the lamp down to a
mere speck of flame, he beckoned
to Lilli. when the soldiers come,
keep them here. Tell them any
thing, but hold them as long as you
can" His hand was on the knob,
"Now-"
Quick as a cat he ~flattened
against the wall. Outside, a flash
light cleaned, heavy footsteps
sounded on the path, then loud and
clear came a sharp command in
Spanish.
Violently Cliff pulled Janet from
the door-the soldiers were already
there.
A boot scraped on the steps, a
heavy rap reverberated through
the darkened room, and Cliffs
hand closed about Janet's wrist.
He hurried her across the floor tc
his instrument locker.
"Get I'M" he whispered.
Quickly she stepped inside,
squeezing back among the levels
and compass stats, and picking
up his poncho, Cliff hung it in front
of her. The folds completely cover
ed her, and Cliff started to shut
the locker, then thinking better OF
it, opened the door wide.
Once again, louder this time and
more impatiently, came the rap
ping. then the knob turned, and
lsearchlight in hand, the sergeant
stamped in.
At sight of that dreaded fedora
lists uniform, Lilli shrank back
against Cliff, and throwing his arm
about her, he drew the girl to him.
1t was thus the sergeant found
them. Briefly the soldiers dark
eyes dwelt on the two forms, stand
ing so close together in the dim
ness, and his lips moved in a smile
of understanding. He gave a short
salute.
Dispense, senior. One regrets
this intrusion, but we r looking
for Senorita Norman"
"Why look here?" Cliffs voice
was sharp with simulated anger.
1--WE were told"
The sergeant stopped, and Cliff
felt his pulse skip a beat, for those
dark eyes had come to rest on the
locker. The soldier took a step for
ward, then apparently satisfied by
the open door, turned to Cliff.
.Where would Senorita Norman
be?"
"She went to New Dixie early
this evening"
"But she lives here, no?"
Cliff made a gesture toward the
river. "She lives in the first build
ing beyond the warehouse"
"Gracias." Again the sergeant's
ewes paused in frank appreciation
on Lilli's face, and at sight Of hel
burning cheeks, he raised both
shoulders in an apologize shrug
81 am desolate to disturb you a
such a time" Nodding to Cliff, ne
left the office.
Within the room, no one STREE
until the tramp of feet had dice
away. then Cliff heard Lilli give
sign of relief. H%urrying to the lock
Ter. he pulled the poncho aside.
.Let's get out of this" He drew
Janet. half suffocated, from bel
narrow hiding place. Forcing him
self to move deliberately, he open
ed the office door and peered y
the path. AS far as he could see Il
Law empty, ard taking Janet by the
hand, he slipped out, closing the
door behind him. The horses were
standing where he had hldder
them and lifting Janet into the
saddle, he mounted, then listened
No sound except the chorus o.
frogs from the river and the low
roar of the rapids. Turning, ne
started UP the path.
10 Be Continued)