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. ThunnUv w. THE CAUCASIAN. Page Six. The Three Spears By Maud J. Perkins (Copyright, 1311, by AwocUted Literary Pre.) A girl was riding toward Holcomb, Tiding like the wind en a wiry pinto. Behind her was an escort of four Yaqul maidens, who did. cot dw'splay the grace and abandon of their leader. o "h-ToiT! within a few feet of Holcomos own. jTVu a . , 4. . . not Indian at all, but pure Spanish. Her. creamy, oval face, full scarlet Hps and eyes like pools of black water made her very attractive. The black eyes appraised Holcomb swiftly. He sat his horse like a cow-' boy, but the pack animal behind was laden with the outfit of the prospector. 1 He was bronzed by hot suns, and his handsome face carried an expression of bold fearlessness that just escaped recklessness. 'Senor," she said abruptly in Span ish, "don't go to the 'Three Spears.' " "Why?" demanded Holcomb abrupt ly. For an instant his eyes sought the shimmering southwest, where three slender peaks arose from the gray of the desert into the hard blue of the aky. ; "Danger!" With the single word the girl wheeled her horse abruptly and get off at a gallop toward the river with her cavalcade. Their goal was a herd of cattle which was straying from the vicinity of the settlement. Holcomb, pondering, rode on to the Yaqul town. It was situated near the . only water within forty miles, a stream sunk deep in a cleft of the rocks. It was far below the level of the half desert prairie that stretched away to the mountains. The huts and tents of the town were grouped on a shelf Just above high water. Twoscore yards below the town, near where the women were washing clothes, the river dived into a deep orifice in the mountainside. Running at right angles with the stream was a Riding Like the Wind. . i range of mountains to the west, ter minating in the distance with the "Thre Spears." i Picking his way down to the river, along a trail steep and dangerous, Holcomb replenished his water supply, bought meal of the sullen Indians, and set out on his way to the west again. As he climbed to the plateau a chief halted him with upraised hand a tall man with stern brown face and nar row eyes. j "The stranger must not go to the Three Spears" he grunted. Holcomb returned the hostile gaze with calmness. He rolled a husk cig" arette, lighted it and shook the reins. T heard you, chief," he answered. The Indian stepped ungraciously aside. An hour later Holcomb noted four dots on the northern horizon two mounted Yaquis with pack horses, swinging out and ahead of him in a wide half-circle. Holcomb was up next morning at the earliest break of dawn, for the Three Spears" were less than a day's journey away and he was anxious to reach them. At noon, when he stop-! ped for a hasty lunch, he was within the mouth of the defile which led to the higher fastnesses. He was tlgthening the cinch of his horse, for the trail ahead was steep and narrow, when a sound caused him to wheel. The Spanish girl of the day before was coming toward him. Her thin dress was torn and her moccasins were cut to shreds. There were angry bruises on her bare arms and she limped as she walked. "You must go back!" she cried urgently In Spanish; "the Three Spears' mean death." His mouth set in an obstinate line. Tve traveled for six weeks to see the Three Spears.' They Bay there's gold there; that's why the Indians guard them so qlosely The girl laid an imploring hand on his arm. "No, no!" Her earnestness could not be mistaken. "There la no gold there. But in the valley of the Three Spears' is the burial-place of the tribes. The Great Father comes there. And the white man must not see. "If he profanes the valley with his footsteps, he dies. Even now the guards are waiting. "They will kill you If you go on." Holcomb's face fell. T don't care much about graveyards, he muttered. Tf there's no gold, Tm not curious. But," he asked abruptly, "what are Ton doing with this triber "My father bad a ranch there." She pointed to the southwest. "He died three months ago, and the Yaquis seized our cattle and horses. I am a prisoner, though they treat me kindly. They are afraid I would bring the rural es If they freed me." "How did you get here?" "The eenor saw where the water Sows into the mountain? At sundown when they were not watching, I let my self into the river, and was carried through to the other side. I had seen the boys do it in play, "It was very dark, and the current i Is swift. Sometimes I struck upon the rocks, but the dear Virgin protected . , . me, and I came Into the blessed air again. After one passes through tbe . mountain there is a secret path, much shorter than the horse must take, to I the Three Spears.' to warn the eenor. So I was in time i Holcomb seized the girl's hands lm-! pulslvely In his own. "Ton did that for me?" he asked wonderingly. "But you were hurt you must hare been in jured on the cruel rocks." "No she replied; "a few bruises. They are nothing. And I did It for my self, too, eenor. I wanted to be free again." The cowboy-prospector burst into English: "You're sure a plucky little kid! I'll get you back to civilization, or bust a laig! 'Texas' Holcomb may have been a pretty tough citizen, but ! he ain't an ongrateful one. How do we get out of here? Them Injuns may J com surein down anv time. An' I ! ain't goin t' take chances with you along." The girl smiled and colored at the look in his brown eyes. "The four horses are hidden Just below," she re plied, also in English and without ac cent. "We must take them and go north. If you do not come soon Into their valley, they will creep back and find our footateps. If we leave the horses they will follow." "Good; we'll take the horses then. Lead on; 111 follow. What may I call you, ma'am?" "My name is Isabella de la Barro, but father called me 'Chiquita." " 'Chiquita' that means 'little one Chiquita it is!" They found the hidden animals with out trouble. The pack animals were laden with food, and with water in skins. This, explained Chiquita, was because the two Yaquis were going on a search for poorly-guarded cattle after Holcomb had been disposed of and his belongings appropriated. The girl swung into the saddle of one of the horses, and they weie off. By sundown they had put several miles between themselves and the" dan gerous "Three Spears." Chiquita cooked supper on the fire which Hol comb built, and never had1 Jthe"pros pector tasted a meal more delicious. Holcomb treated her as he would have his sister treated under similar circumstances. At night she"slept the sleep of Innocence and honesty fatigue in his one blanket, while he shivered and dozed, since it grew chill when the sun went down. By day they plodded northward at a good pace, Holcomb, "with his head on his shoulder," for there was danger of pursuit. But the Yaquis, evidently dis couraged because of the start which the fugitives had obtained, and the number of' fresh horses at their com mand, did not follow them. Chiquita was an ideal traveling com panion. She was always bright and gay, delighted with what the moment brought, and taking no thought of the morrow. She was quick to see the changing beauties of the vast country and point them out to Holcomb. Some times, with chidlish impulsiveness, she tugged at his sleeve or clasped his browned wrist, and he thrilled at her touch as the strings of the harp re spond to the hand of the player. After two weeks they came at last to the sight of a town nestling in a hollow below the ridge of hills on which they stood. It was mid fore noon. The clear air etched the hamlet with wonderful distinctness. They could see the toy men and women in the streets. "There's Ascension, Chiquita," said Holcomb; "ain't you glad?" , "Yes," replied the girl, listlessly. The adorable sparkle had died out of her piquant face. "So am I," went on the prospector. "Do you know why, little one?" She turned grave eyes upon him'. "Why, my friend?" "Because there's a priest there. Un less " he added humbly, after a pause, "you don't want me. I know j I ain't good enough " The girl, rosy with happiness, flung herself into his arms. "Why, dearest one," she said, in her liauid 'snaniah. "I have loved thee always!' Rising to the Occasion. "Fifty dollars!" cried Batkins, after the judge had named the fine. "Why, judge, that's an outrage. I admit I was going too fast, but 550 " Them's the Aggers," said the Judge, coldly. "All right, 11 pay." said ,Batkins, "but I'll tell you right now IH never come through! this town again." "That's so," said the Judge. "Wa-al, by gorry, I'm sorry. You've been a mighty good customer. Bill," he added, turning tc the sheriff, "hang crape on the courthouse, will ye? This here gentleman's about to pass on for ever." Harper's. Weekly. The English as Klaw Sees Them. Mr. Marc Klaw, the American theat rical manager, who was quoted as saying that the English "are . just about as emotional as a Umburger cheese," writes that what he really said was: The English are a warm hearted people, but are usually about as demonstrative as froxnage de Brie (a large flat cheese). Mis Captive Princess By CUtUm Ilackl (GopyrifiU. taxi, by AmncimtmA Ututwy Ftom) j "Evan la & dear," lamented Amy j Durland, "but there lent a spark of j romance In him that la, not the right kind!" "You in ran the kind we hare Just witnessed ?" asked her friend, Hester t Blake, they left the theater and I walked down the street I "Yes " hesitated Amy with a swift J upward glance at Hester's rather se- vere profile. "Evan Gates isn't the I sort of man to do anything romantic I oh, you know what I mean. Hester we, have just seen it at the matinee. Fancy Evan rescuing me from captiv ity in a lonely tower! Evan would call out the Are department to run a ladder up to my window and I would be released by the most prosaic meth od, while Evan would stand at the foot of the ladder looking at his watch and grumbling because be might miss an important business engagement!" "Nonsense!" laughter Hester. "You underestimate Evan's chivalry because the opportunity has never been of- fered him to display it. Amy tossed her pretty head in utter scorn of Hester's matter-of-fact opin- Ion and as they entered a bus and ! winf ttiof. nntfiwTi hpr minri 'area busy with little plans whereby she might prove to herself that the man she was engaged to and who really was a most devoted lover, should prove further devotion by some roman tic deed of chivalry. It was not until she was dropping off to sleep that night that the great plan came to her and it immediately ban ished all sleep from her violet eyes. Amy lived with an uncle. Several days afterward Evan Gates scanning the pile of morning mail on his desk picked out a small grayish blue envelope and opened it with a tender, expectant smile. It was from Amy and bore most as tonishing tidings: "Dearest Evan: Come to my rescue at once Uncle Bert has locked me in "Somebody's Crazy as a Loon." the tower at Hilltop because I will not marry Terry Bannister and give you up. There are rats and mice here j and you know how I hate them! I shall drop this letter from the window and trust to some one mailings it for me. Come quick, dearest, before I die of fright and starvation. "Your distracted Amy." P. S. "Please come yourself and do not have any publicity." Evan read and reread the hastily written, tear-blotted missive. "Somebody's crazy as a loon and it may be me!" ejaculated Mr. Gates. He picked up the telephone receiver and called the number of Mr. Frake's town house where he had seen Amy only two days before. As he talked Into the transmitter his face changed from perplexity to surprise, disbelief, impatience,' anxiety, and back to per plexity again. "Now, what do you make of that?" he frowned as he leaned back in his chair. A servant had answered the tele phone. She had said that Mr. Frake had sailed for Europe that morning and that Miss Durland had gone away the day before it was not known just where but on a week-end visit somewhere. As Amy and her guardian-uncle com posed the family, there wasnothing for Evan Gates to do but to'take the next train for Hillside and unravel the hideous plot and rescue the unfortu nate damsel from the tower. "Somebody's crazy!" repeated Evan as he hurried up to the station for his train. He decided it was Terry Bannister when that joyous youth collided with him at the Central station and instant ly grabbed him by the lapels of his coat. "The greatest news ever!" bleated Terry grinning widely. "Well, what Is it?" snapped Evan, remembering that this was his rival, and also that he had a train to catch. "I'm engaged she's said yes the dearest girl In the world!" chortled Mr. Bannister, announcing his engage ment In his usual spectacular man ner. Evan's blood ran cold. He turned away from the entrance to the train sheds. "Her name?" he asked crisply, he thought he could guess. T should think yon might guess Gladys Hall man, of course HI, where you golngr Ccsgratulatloct got to make tbfi train!" shouted Evan oTer hii boul der as he sped away. l wonder what's eating bSor re ceded Terry as he went on his glad some way. Anxiety and bewilderment were gnawing at Evan's mind as the train ran out Into the open country. Some one -tapped his shoulder gent ly and he turned around to see Hester Blake's plain, pleasant countenance. He instantly found a seat beside her and learned that she was going to tbe next station beyond Hillside for a short visit. Because Hester was Amy's dearest friend and because be knew she was loyal and utterly practical, Evan shewed her Amy's letter and related bis interview with the servant at the Frake house and his meeting with Terry Bannister. "What does It mean, Hester?" be asked anxiously. To his surprise Hester leaned back In her seat and laughed until she cried. The foolish little girl!" she uttered at last. "Foolish?" queried Evan more puz zled than ever. Hester nodded and related her sus picions. She told of the talk they had had after the matinee and what Amy had said about Evan's lack of chival ry. "The child must have planned this whole thing since then for Mr. Frake has been expecting to go abroad for some time in fact he sailed with fa ther and we both know him to be ut terly incapable of treating Amy in this manner. What shall you do, Evan?" "Rescue her in a good old-fashione$ way," said Evan grimly but he could not suppress a smile a tender smile it was- over the romance of Amy Dur land. "I don't mind," he said to him self sturdily; "shell get over it soon enough." Hester waved him a laughing fare well at Hillside and Evan tramped on the tall tower that was visible for miles around. He saw a speck of white up on the tiny observation plat form and as he entered the grounds of the estate it disappeared within. The big house appeared to be va cant. The tower he knew contained a little room at the top prepared for comfort and the service of refresh ments. It was approached by a wind ing iron stairway within and entrance was by a solid oaken door at the bot tom. Evan looked over the situation carefully and changed his plan of res cue. He whistled a familiar note and Amy instantly appeared on the bal cony. "You dear! You have come!" she called down in a tremulous whisper. Amy was enjoying herself. "Yes, I've come, dear," called up Evan suppressing a smile. "I come at once I met Terry Bannister and what do you think?" "What?" asked Amy feebly. "He's engaged to Gladys Hallman told me so." "The the horrid thing! Why, Gladys has a glass eye." Amy was plainly disconcerted. "And, Amy, dear, shall I effect your rescue before the eyes of all the coun ty?" He swept an arm suggestively around. "Or will you walk" down the stair and unlock the door?" "You are so horrid and unroman tic!" cried Amy tearfully. "Dear heart, you've got romance enough for both of us. Ah, come down, dear, I want to kiss my captive prin cess can't I rescue you by persua sion?" Evan looked so handsome and capti vating at that moment with the love light shining in his dark eyes that the captive princess merely waved her hand and came down and unlocked the prison door. "I suppose this is an up-to-date method of release," sighed Amy as they walked back to the station. "It's awfully unromantic but its better than being up there with the spiders!" CLIMAXES OF SLOW DISEASE Really, There Is No Such Thing as "Sudden Death," as It Is Gen erally Understood. There is no such thing as "sudden death" from disease. Those deaths appearing to us as sudden are in reality the very slowest forms of dis ease, so slow and insidious that they often pass unrecognized, as for In stance, Brlght's disease, rheumatio states and hardening of the arteries. The conditions whlph precipitate the result that comes so often In our civili zation like a lightning stroke are brought about by slow degrees, which all at once reach a climax and we are surprised simply because we were not aware of the conditions. Financiers, statesmen, politicians, professional workers and merchants men who live well, but under stern stress and struggle are most fre quently subject to the conditions which lead to such sudden termina tions. They are the unfortunates who really require more care, on account of their greater burdens, but do not take time to attend to the ail-Important measures exercise, rest, etc. which mean increased activity of the skin and respiratory functions, more perfect elimination and longevity. Flowers In January. In a Suffolk (Eng.) village near Bury St Edmunds the following flowers were picked during the month of Jan. uary just passed: Pansles, honey suckle, wild heartease, carnation, yel low Jessamine, antirrhinum, gorss (furze) . wallflower, stock, arabls, torch lilies, double violets, Princess of Wales violets, field daisies, double daisies, wild primroses, pink primroses, poly anthus, phlox drnmmondl, winter aco sites, kerria, and marigold. Robin Adair i By Lester lUrtla mmm - - . CcpTTiatU tStu br Aecitl tMmuf FtJ -When you have finished picking the berries off that hedge. Jack. I shall be much relieved," Edith leaned over , the garden gate and laid a protesting hand upon her lover's arm. TJont Joke, honey." Jack drew her nearer to him. "I am trying so hard to see your point of Tlew nd 1 Elm ply cannot Imagine you all alone In London singing your heart out and no one really caring as I do. -Why, Jack, you silly boy, dont spoil our last evening together. I ex pect to be heme for Christmas andvl should think you would be glad I am going to have such a great opportun ity. Just think! how good of the dear old rector to pay all my expenses and give me my training Just because he likes my voice and thinks I will make a famous 6lnger. And here you are spoiling it all!" A little sob of self pity, a sudden sense of loneliness, and the pretty curly head was hidden In Jack's coat. "Dearie, my love will help me to un derstand, only always remember if things do not go Just right and you are not happy, why, I shall be longing for you every minute, and the farm, I am thinking, needs a mistress bad ly" "There, Jack, I know every word of that story by heart, so don't worry me any more," she said. A glorious morning and two whole hours before breakfast! Quickly dress ing, she crept quietly past her aunt's door, realizing, with a little catch of her breath, that even this home bo grudgingly given hertwould be hers no longer. Suddenly, through the sharp, crisp air, she heard Jack's clear whistle and her mind unconsciously supplied the words to the old, familiar strain, "And for Bonnie Annie Laurie I'd lay me down and die." Hiding herself behind some shrubs she waited until the melody died away, then lifting her head she sang Jack's favorite song, "Robin Adair," full of music and purity of tone sel dom heard in so young a voice. It seemed as though the birds stopped She Sang Jack's Favorite Song. to listen. Haunting in Its sweetness, and yet wanting in what? And Jack, wondering, hoped that the price to be paid for the "something wanting" might be paid by him if possible. Per haps he was paying a wee bit on ac count now, and smiling bravely he whistled an obllgato to the last few notes. "A real morning concert, sir, and complimentary at that,", said Edith. "I am glad you sang the dear old song, honey, and I think If ever you needed me I should answer to It even If you were far across the seas." Slowly the train drew Into St Pan eras station. The rector, lowering the window, sniffed the smoky London air with real pleasure. It was neither fresh nor clean, but It was London, and there is nothing on earth like K to an old Londoner. A confusion of porters, luggage and cabs and they were soon submerged in the endless traffic of Euston road. Three months passed quickly for Edith. Glowing accounts of her little triumphs found their way to Jack's lonely home, and in the evening he would walk over to the rectory where the two would spend many ..an hour predicting a glorious career for the girl so dear to them. "And do you think all Is well with her, sir?" "Of course it is, my dear hoy. You. mina ine aamirauon of oth ers, you of all men. And this agent, Lawier. why. it Is Just her voice, he is interested In. And that Is business Just business." ' "Oh, well, that's all right" There was great relief in the hand shake fl e Chee7 good "k1 M ck took his. precious letter and climbed the home hill, whistling for company. The rector stood listening to the V ES 11 twi3td and turned the old melody of "Annie Laurie" into a good marching tune. Then with a Htd 1God bless them both,- he closed the door. trrJSS you ear want me to sing nc?f 5 Albert hall to I can do Itr Twhy, of course, you can do It And M?lf yon isok-w!!. tu success. Do your ;r.."n y knows what wcecr?-f.v 134 come your way- tie hand he kU4 i , WJ age. -s: "What a strasre tin said, as she txtiv.y V-i.'i hand. "But that kos Z"' sweet little wiUS So ? . t? be going now. Don't u u-: lng As the door clons! v i a fluffy little kitten ci open fire and burtfsj V warm fur. Not until Edith fwa hansom on her wiy t0 . v 1 she reallxe how d:siti feeling from what iu would be at this cct;Jp ; was in good form, t A- gone right and jti vf happy. "Oh, here you art. X:n y the ladles in thre. rv-": and keep your throat irtx T business wave of hit htd U1 "Nervous?" he ad!dei "Not at all." lauKhsi f.v crateful for his lmrf-r-i' J. anu 1 cope 1 scan repay jes your kindness." w As Edith disappeared & i:v. crept around his thin Meanwhile Edith, fef'.'rr ltrTt her troubles had bcc wbci:? ary, greeted her fellow artiiu bright smile and felt the vir of anticipation that meant tuoy .? the singer. The audience had rercir u nouncement of the not J fomru ness philosophically and u ;r(ri to be pleasantly polite to ti tute. "Edith Murden. who is 6L- "I never heard of her." "I hope she is good." The orchestra had Just f.nlsbd ra a brilliant climax and th .ic, I looked with mild curiosity for tie soprano. From behind the ferns acj ca came Edith, the very mbo!;n:r. t youth and beauty in her fin;r' gown, here little head he ld Vsl i a brave Bmlle for this, her tm i;i ence. "If she sings rs well as U 3 she will be a great favor:," i nounced one critic. Softly and sweetly that trc r: lng voice swelled through the Li reaching to the uppermost riT.r', generous in tone, perfect in ;:::. tion; and the critic, whose gr rt all musclans coveted, nodded mendingly. But lacking in fculta his criticism. Perhaps nervous, vi he waived Judgment until her s:r song. Captured by her charm of vc'.ce t manner the audience expressed !! In recall after recall, until. lra but happy, she found herself 1. with Mr. Lawier in the artist's r-w. "A great success, my dear," : fore Edith realized his intentics i had put his arm around her. Frightened, but furious at tie suit, she tore herself away aid 1 looked like a little queen in her kit nation. "How dare you!" she half sotlei "I would dare again to tee yoa 'v like that," he laughed, and tSs c expressed his open admiration. Thankful for the interruption cf accompanist, Edith hurriedly lei t way, a great sense of loneliness e: oping her. Surely months had p einrA bia hnA farod that audience. "Jack I Jack! I want you. I 2 you!" And she gazed helpless!; that sea of faces. "Angels ever bright and fair. Take. oh. take me to your care!" Her vnlAA full of ntreatr Vtd tensity and forgetful of all t ; neen or love and protection, tht Torv TiAflra nf hpr audience. - -w- v- wave of emotion swept over house and tears streamed doa faces of mn and women. One breathless minute, thea o& the thunderous annlause. Was this for her? Through KM0O m W ' 3 A w "Pick up your flowers." InsUncL obeying, she stood silent for & xnent, then: "Encore!" "nccTc Th ftvrvm nonfat looked S 1 "Robin Adair," she whispered like the call of a bird to its m sang the song Jack loyed. A man tightly grasping the his chair, with tense face, and t at hlS sweetheart and knew that ste his. There was nothing wanting She was calling to him to hl the last note sank into his telJ quickly found his way to the room, wuieuy ne awaiiea wiicu UiO UUBUUICU o-YV .19 noney, i am nere. iou me," he whispered. And vith K cry she took his outstretched J "Take me home, Jack! Oh. tiW home! I want only you and love." The Last Luxury. Ten-year-old Arthur nad be rf lng Impressively of the nunco servants employed In his bom- p continued: "And olr house Is that if you want a drink, or a raised, or to go upstairs, or aSjJJ all you have to do Is to pull "But what do you want t many servants In that sort house r asked one of his bearer "Oh," replied Arthur, VS1 servants to pull the chains. Library. It Did. gos Did a womanly feeling erer softly stealing Into your lifer "You bet it did. Had my , ken once by a female p!clOocWfc v
The Caucasian (Clinton, N.C.)
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April 4, 1912, edition 1
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