Newspapers / Jackson County Journal (Sylva, … / May 28, 1923, edition 1 / Page 8
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Gold 'By ZANE GREY & Author of Riders of the Purple Sage, - Wildfire, Etc. C0Py?lMl>7 H?r^*BTOOOTl^^^_^^^^^^000^^eggQgeeeQ-?ggg_ggggggg~ ROUGH-HOUSE I SYNOPSIS. -Seeking gold In the desert, "Cameron." solitary pros pector, forms a partnership 'with an unknown man whom he later learns Is Jonas Warren, father of a girl whom Cameron wronged, but later married, back In Illinois. Cameron's explanations appease Warren, and the two proceed to gether. Taking refuge from a sandstorm in a cave. Cameron discovers gold, but too late; both men are dying. Cameron leaves evidence. In the cave, of their dis covery of gold, and personal docu ments. Itichard Gale, adventurer, in Casita. Mexican border town, meets George Thorne, lieutenant in the Ninth cavalry, old college friend. Thorne tells Gale he Is there to save Mercedes Castadena, Spanish girl, his affianced wife, from Rojas, Mexican bandit. > CHAPTER I. ? 'Continued. "Dick, think, think ! With Mercedes also It was love at first sight. My plan is to marry her and Ret iter far \ tlier to the Interior, away from the * border. It may not he easy. She's watched. So am I. Rojas must have * got word to liis friends here; yester day his Rang of cutthroat rebels ar rived, and today lie came. When I learned that, I took my chance and left camp; I hunted up a priest. He promised to come here. It's time he's due. But I'ji afraid he'll be stopped. You se?, we're over tlit line;?" * "Are we in Mexican territory now?" queried Gale, sharply. "I guess yes, old boy. That's what complicates it. , Rojas and his rebels have Gisita In their hands. If Mer cedes is reaTiy watched ? If her Iden tity Is known, which I am sure is the case ? we couldn't get far from this house before I'd be knifed and she seized." "Good heavens! Thorne, caa that sort of thing happen less than a stone's throw from the United States line?" asked Gale, incredulously. "It can happen, and don't you forget It. You don't seem to realize the power these guerrilla leaders, these rebel captains, and particularly these bandits, exercise over the mass of Mexicans. I've seen Rojas. He's a handsome, bold, sneering devil, vainer than any peacock. He decks himself In gold lace and silver trappings. In all the finery he can steal. He spends gold like lie spills blood. Rut he Is chiefly famous for abducting women. The peon girls consider it an honor to be ridden off with: Rojas has shown a penchant for girls of the bet ter class." Thorne wiped, the perspiration from his pale face and bent a dark gase out of the window before he resjuined his talk. . <1 "Consider what the position of Mer cedes really is. Rn.ins cnn turn all the hidden underground influences to his ends. Unless I thwart him he'll get Mercedes as easily as he can light a cigarette. But- I'll kill him or some of his gang or her before I let him get her. . . . This is the situation, old friend. I've little time to spare. I face arrest for desertion. Rojas is In town. I think I was followed to this hotel. The priest has betrayed me or has been stopped, Mercedes is here alone, \yalting, absolutely de pendent upon me to save her from ? from . . . She's the sweetest, love liest girl ! ... In a few moments ? sooner or later there'll be hell here! Dick, are you with me?" Dick Gale drew a long, deep breath. A coldness, a lethargy, and Indiffer ence that had weighed upon him for months had passed out of his being. On the Instant he could not speak, but his hand closed powerfully upon his friend's. Thome's face ahanged wonderfully, the distress, the ffear, the appeal all vanishing lu a smile of passionate gratefulness. Then Dick'ji fiaze attracted by some slight sound, shot ove? his friend's shoulder to see a face at the window ? a handsome, bold, sneering face, with glittering dork -eye's that flashed In sinister intentness. Dick stiffened In his seat.- Thorne, with sudden clenching of hands, wheeled toward the window. "Rojas!" he whispered. CHAPTER II Marcedea Caataneda. ? The dark face vanished. Dick Gale heard footsteps and the tinkle of spurs. He strode to Jhe window, and was in time to see ti Mexican swag ger Into the front door of the saloon. There were men passing in the street, also dfcveral Mexicans lotmjing against the hitching rail at the curb. "Did you see him? Where did he go?" whispered Thorne, as he joined Gale. "Those Greasers out there with the cartridge belts crossed over their breasts ? they are rebels. I'm afraid Rojas has the house spotted."' "If we could only be sure." ? 'Tm sure, Dick. Let's cross the hall; I want to see how It looks from the other Ride of the house." , Gale followed Thorne out of the res tnurant Into the hiuh-celled corridor which evidently divided the hotel, ?penlng into the street and running fcack to a patio. ' ? few dim, yellow lamps flickered. Thome entered a huge chamber which was even more poorly lighted than the hall. It con tained u table littered with papers, a few high-backed chairs, a couple of couches, and was evidently a parlor. "Mercedes has been meeting me here," said Thome. "At this hour she comes every moment or so to the head of the stairs there, and If I am here she comes down. Mostly there are people in this room a little later. We go out into the plaza. It faces 4he dark side of the house, and that's the place I must slip out with1 her. if there's any chance at all to get away." They peered out of the open win dow. In a moment, however. Gale made out a sloyv-^acing dark form on the path. Fafrther down there was another. No particular keenness was required to see in these forms a sen tinel-like stealthiness. Gripping Gale's arm, Thorne pulled back from the window. , "You saw them," he whispered. "It's just as I feared. Rojas has the place surrounded. I should have taken Mer cedes away. But I had no time ? no chance! I'm bound! . . . There's Mercedes now ! My G ? d ! . . . J Dick, think, think ? think if there's a way to get her out of this trap !" r Gale turned as his friend went down the room. In the dim light at the head of the stairs Stood the slim, 'muffled figure of a woman. When she saw Thome she flew noiselessly down the stairway to him. He caught her In his arms. Then she spoke softly, bro kenly, in a iow, swift voice. It was a mingling of incoherent Spanish and English ; but to Gale It was mellow, deep, unutterably tender, a voice full of Joy, fear, passion, hope and love. Upon Gale it had an unaccountable effect. He fqund himself thrilling, wondering. Thorne led the girl to the center the room, under the light where Gale stood. , "Mercedes? Dick Gale, an old friend ? the best friend I ever had." She swept the mantilla back over her head, disclosing a lovely face.* strange and striking to Gale In its pride and fire, its intensity. "Senor Gale ? ah! I cannot speak my happiness. His friend!" "Yes. Mercedes; my friend and yours." said Thorne, speaking rapidly. "We'll have need of him. Dear, .there's bad news and no time to break it gently. The priest did not come. He must have been detained. And listen ? be brave, dear Mercedes ? Rojas Is here!" She uttered an Inarticulate cry, the poignant terror of which shook Gale's nerve, and swayed as If she would faint. Thome caught her and In husky voice importuned her to bear up. "My darling! For God's sake don't faint? don't go to pieces ! We'd be lost! We've got a chance. We'll think of something. Be strong! Fight r It was plain to Gale that Thome was distracted. He scarcely knew what he was saying. Pale and shak ing, he clasped Mercedes to him. She cried out In Spanish, beseech ing him; and as he shook his head, she changed to English : "Senor, my lover. I will be strong? I will fight? I will obey. But swear W!3? ". Ml "But Swear by My Virgin, If Need Be to Save Me From Bojae ? You Will Kill Mel" by my Virgin, If need be to save me from Rojas ? you will kill me!" "Mercedes! Yes, 111 swear," he re plied, hoarsely. "I know ? I'd rather have you dead than ? But don't give up. Rojas can't be sure of you, or he wouldn't wait. He's In there. He's got his men there ? all around us. But he hesitates. A beast like Rojas doesn't stand idle for nothing. I tell you we've a chnnce. Dick, here, will think of something. We'll slip away. Then he'll take you somewhere. Only ? speak to him ? show him you won't ; weaken. Mercedes, this la more than j love and happiness for us. Ifs life or death." She became quiet, and slowly recov ered control of herself. She wheeled to face Gale with proud dark eyes, tragic sweetness of appeal, on exqui site grace. "Senor, you are an American. You cannot know the Spanish blood ? the peon bandit's hate and cruelty. I wish to die before Rojas' hand touches me. If he takes me alive, then the hour, the little day that my life lasts afterward will be torture ? torture of hell. If I live two days his brutal men will have me. If I live three, the dogs of his camp . . . Senor, have you a sister w^om you loveV Help Senor Thome to save me. He is a soldier. He is bound. He must not betray his honor, his duty, for me. . . . Now, let me waste no more precious time. I am ready. I will be brave." She came close to Gale, holding out her white hands, a woman all fire and soul and passion. To Gale she was wonderful. His heart leaped. As he bent over her hands ann kissed them he seenped to feel himself renewed, remade. j "Senorlta,"] he said, "I am happy to be your servant. I can conceive of no greater pleasure than giving the serv ice you require." "And what Is that?" inquired Thorne hurriedly. "That of Incapacitating Senor Rojas for tonight, and perhaps several nights to come," replied Gale. "I'll make a row in that saloon. I'll start something. I'll rush Rojas and his crowd. I'll?" * t , "Lord, no ; #you mustn't, Dick ? you'll be knifed!" cried Thorne. "I'll take a chance. Maybe I can surprise that slow Greaser bunch and get away before they know what's happened. . . . You be ready watching at the window. When the row starts those fellows out there In the plaza will run into the satwn. Then you slip out, go straight through the plaza down the street. It's a dark street, I remember. I'll catch up \Vith you before you get far." Thorne gasped, but dkl not say a word. Mercedes leaned against him. her white hands now at her breast, her great eyes watching Gale as he went out. In the corridor Gale stopped long enough to pull on a pair of heavy gloves, to muss his hair, and disar range his collar. Then he stepped Into the restaurant, went through, and halted In the door leading Into the saloon. No one appeared to notice him. Gale's roving glance soon fixed upon the man he took to be Rojas. The Mexlcanie face was turned aside. He was In earnest, excited colloquy with a dozen or more comrades, most of whom wejp sitting round a table. They were listening, talking, drinkjng. The fact that they wore cartridge belts crossed over their breasts satisfied Gale that these were the rebels. He became conscious of an inward fire that threatened to overrun his cool ness. ' Other emotions harried his self cor'rol. It seemed as It sight of the man liberated or created a devil in Gale. And at the bottom of his feeh lngs there seemed to be a womler at himself, a strange satisfaction for the something that had come to him. He stepped out of the doorway, down the couple of steps to the floor of the saloon, and he staggered a little, simulating drunkenness. He fell over the pool tables, jostled Mexicans at the bar, laughed like a maudlin fool, and, witM his hat slouched down, crowded here and there. Presently his eye caught sight of the group of cowboys whom he had before noticed with such interest. They were still in a corner some what isolated. With fertile mind working. Gale' lurched over to them. If he were to get any help from these silent aloof rangers It must be by striking fire from them In one swift stroke. Planting himself squarely be fore the two tall cowboys who were standing, he looked straight into their lean, bronzed faces. He spared a full moment for that keen, cool gaze before he spoke. "I'm not drunk. Pm throwing a bluff, and I mean to start a Tough house. I'm going to rush that d ? d bandit Rojas. It's to save a girl ? to give her lover, who Is my friend, a chance to escape with her. She's In the house. Rojas is here to get her. When I start a row my friend will try to slty out with her. Every door and window is watched. Pve got to raise h ? 1 to draw the guards In. . . Well, you're my countrymen. We're In Mexico. A beautiful girl's honor and life are at stake. Now, gentle men, watch pie !" One cowboy's eyes narrowed, blink ing a little, and his lean Jaw dropped ; the other's hard face rippled with a fleeting smile. Gale backed away, and his pulse leaped when he saw the two cowboys, as If with one purpose, slowly stride after him. Then Gale swerved, stag gering along, brushed against the tables, kicked over the empty chairs. The hum of the many voices grew louder, and when Dick lurched against a table, overturning it and spilling glasses Into the laps of s*?v j era! Mexicans, there arose a shrill cry. | He had succeeded In attracting at i tentlon; almost every face turned his way. One of the Insulted men, a little tawny fellow, leaped to confront Gale, and In a frenzy screamed a vol ley of Spanish, of which Gale distin guished "Gringo !" Dick swung bis leg and with a swift tilde kick knocked the fellow's feet from under blm, whirling him down with a thud. The action was performed so sud denly, so adroitly. It made the Mexi can 8uc|) a weakling, so like a tumbled tenpln, that the shrill jabbering hushed. Gale knew thla to be the significant modient. Wheeling, he rushed at Rojas. It was bis old line-breaking plunge. Nei ther Rojap nor his men hnd time to move. The black-skinned bandit's ?*rw The Black-Skinned Bandit's Face Turned a Dirtje White. face turned a dirty white; his Jaw dropped; he would have shrieked If Gale -had not hit him. The blow swept him backward against Tiis men. Then Gale's heavy body, swiftly fol lowing with the momentum of that rush, struck the little group of rebels. They went down with the table and chairs in a sliding crash. Gale, carried by his plunge, went with them. Like top. As he rose a cat he landed on lils powerful bunds fastened on Rojis. lie jerSed the little bandit off the tangled pile of struggling, yelling men. and, swinging him with terrific force, let go his hold. Rojas slid along the floor, knocking over tables and chairs. Gale bounded back, dragged Rojas up, handling him as If he were a limp sack. A shot rang put above the yells. Gale heard the Jingle of breaking glass. The room darkened percep tibly. He flashed a glance backward. The two cowboys were between him and the crowd of frantic rebels. One cowboy held two guns low down, level in front of him. The other had his gun ralsflfi and aimed. On the instant it spouted red and white. With the crack a ame the crashing of glass, an^ | other darkening shade over the room. With a cry Gale slung the bleeding Rojas from him. The bandit struck a table, toppled over it, fell, and lay prone. Another shot made the room full of moving shadows, with light only back of the bar. A white-clad figure rushed at Gale. He tripped the man, but' had to kick hard to disengage himself from grasping hands. Another figure closed in on Gale. This one was dark, swift. A blade glinted ? described a circle aloft. Simultaneously with a close, red flash the knife wavered; the man wielding it stumbled backward. Then pandemonium broke loose. The din became a rOar. Gale heard shots that sounded like dull spats in the , distance. The big lamp behind the bar seemingly split, then sputtered and went out, leaving the room ' In darkness. Gale leaped toward the restaurant door, which wais outlined faintly by tbe yellow light within. Right and left he pushed the groping men who jostled with him; He vaulted a pool table, sent tables and chairs flying, and gained the door, to be the first of a wedging mob to squeeze through. One sweep of his arm knocked the res taurant lamp from its stand; and he ran out, leaving darkness behind him. A few bounds took him into the par lor. It was deserted. Thorne had gotten awny with Mercedes! It was then Gale slowed up. For the space of perhaps sixty seconds he had been moving with startling velocity. He peered cautiously out into the pla?a. Under a street lamp at the far end of the path he thought he saw two dark figures. He ran faster, and soon reached tbe street. The uproar back in the hotel began to diminish, or else he was getting out of hearing. The few people he saw close at hand were ah coming his way, and only the foremost showed any excitement. Gale walked swiftly, peering ahead for two figures. Pres ently he saw them ? one tall, wearing a cape; the other slight; mantled. Gale drew a sharp breath of relief. Thorne and Mercedes were not far dhead. He began to overhaul them ; and soon, when the last lamp -had been passed and the street was dark, he venfnred a whistle. Thorne heard It, for fie turned, whistled a low reply, and went on. Not for some distance beyond, where- the /street ended in open country, did tney halt to wait. Then he came up with the fugitives. "Dick! Are ,von ? nil right?" panted ] Thnrue.'graspfng Gale. 'Tm ? out olj breath ? but ? 0. K.,' replied Gale. "Good! Goodl" choked Thorne. was scared ? helpless. . . . Did, It worked splendidly. We had no trouble. What on earth did you do?" "I made the row, all right," said Dick. "While I was rushing Rojas a couple of cowboys shot out the lamplights. A Mexican who pulled a knife on me got hurt, I guess. Then I think there was some shooting from the robels after the room was dark." Mercedes pressed close to him, touched his hands, looked up Into his face with wonderful eyes. He thought he would not soon forget their beauty ? the shadow of pain that had been, the hope dawning s?> fugltively. "Dear lady," said Gale, with voice not wholly steady, "Rojas himself will hound you no more tonight, nor for many nights." She seemed to shake, to thrill, to rise with the Intelligence. She pressed his hand close over her heaving. breast. Gale felt the quick throb of her heart. "Senor ! Senor Dick !" she cried. Then her voice tolled. Bitf her hands flew up; quick is a flash she raised her face ? kissed him. Then she turned and with a sob fell Into Thome's arms. There ensued a silence broken only by Mercedes' sobbing. Gale walked some paces away. If he were not stunned, he certainly was agitated. The strange, sweet fire of that girl's lips remained with him. On the spur of the moment he Imagined he had a jealousy of Thorne. But presently this passed. What remained with him was the splendid glow ' of gladness that he had "been of sen-ice to Thorne. "Dick, Dick, come here!" called Thorne softly. "Let's pull ourselves together now. We've got a problem yet What to do? Where to go? How to get any place? We're on good old U. S. ground this minute, but we're not out of danger." As he paused, evidently hoping for a ^suggestion from Gale, the silence was broken by the cleai, ringing peal of a bugle. Thorne gave a violent start. ? "It's a call, Dick ! It's a call 1" he cried. Gale had no answer to make. Mer cedes stood as if strickei). The bugle call ended. From a distance another faintly pealed. There were other sounds too remote to recognize. Then scattering shots rattled out. ? . , "Dick, the rebels .are fighting some body," burst out Thorne excitedly. "The little federal garrison still holds Its stand. Perhaps it is attacked again. Anyway, there's something do ing over the line. Maybe the crazy Greasers are firing on oor camp. We've feared It ? in the darlc. . . . And here I am, away without leave ? practically a deserter!" "Go back! .Go back, before you're too late!" cried Mercedes. "Better make tracks, Thorne," added Gale. "It can't help our pre dicament for you to be arrested. I'll take dhre of Mercedes.'* "No, no, no," replied Thome. MI can get away ? aVoid arrest." Mercedes embraced her lover, begged him to go. Thome wavered. "Dick, I'm up against it," he said. "You're right. If only I can run back j !n time. But, oh, I hate to leaye h^ ! ? Old fellow, you've saved beri I al- j ready owe you everlasting grtltltnde. j Keep out of Casitfl, .Dick. The U. S. side might be safe, but I'm afraid to trust It at night. Go out in the des ert, up in the mountains, in some safe place. Then come to me In camp. We'll plan. I'll have to confide in Colonel Weede. Maybe be'H help us. Hide .her from the rebels ? that's all.** He wrung Dick's hand, clasped Mer cedes tightly in hig arms, kissed her, and munnured low over her, then re leased her to rush off Into the dark ness. He disappeared in the gloom. The sound of his dull footfalls gradu ally died away. Gale realized that he was between the edge of an unknown desert and the edge of a hostile town. He had to choose the desert, because, though lie had no doubt that in Casita there were many Amerlcuns who might be friend him, he could not chance ths risks of seeking them at night. He felt a slight touch on his arm, felt it move down, felt Mercedes slip ft trembling cold little hand into his. .Dick looked at her. If the loneliness, the silence, the desert, the unknown dangers of the night affected him, what must they be to this hunted, driven girl? Gale's heart swelled. H? was alone with her. He had no wcap> on, no money, no food, no drink, no covering, nothing except his tw4 hands. He did not know where to find the railroad, or any road or trail, or whether or not there were towns near or far. It^ was a critical, des perate situation.. He thought first of the 'gitl, and groaned in spirit, prayed that It would be given him to save ?her. When he remembered himself It was with the stunning consciousness that he could conceive of no situation which he would have exchanged for this one ? where fortune bad set him a perilous tagk of loyalty to a friend, to a helpless girl. "Senor, senor!** suddenly whispered Mercedes, clinging to him. "Listen ! I hear horses coming!" "Tom Beldln', he's a gentle man, an' he could lick you in? | in half a second." ^ ? (TO BE CONTINUED.) Balance. A railroad purchasing agent writes: "An oak railroad tie lasts twenty years. And it takes twenty years tc grow an oak tree to a size sultabU for ties. Observe how finely naturt balances the thing." We lose that bal ance, however, when we fail to plant e. tree for every one cot down. Tead your children the wisiMl a t cooser* ing the foresU. I s Why That Bad Back? Does spring find you miserable with an aching back? Do you feel lair,", stiff, tired, nervous and depressed? Likely your kidneys have weakened*. Winter is hard on the kidneys. C<>lri< and chills apd a heavier diet with Its* exercise tax them heavily. It's littl. wonder spring finds you with backache, rheumatic pains, headaches, dizzim^s and bladder irregularities. But don't b* discouraged. Use Doan's Kidney Pii;& Doan'8 have helped thousands au.J should help you. Ask your neighbor! A North Carolina Case Mrs. W. A. Rob bins. 333 Wise St., Statesville. S. {*.. says: "My kidneys were always weak and I had spells of backache so I couldn't do my work, My back ached day and night. I had dizzy spells and Vas seldom free from headaches. My kid-, neys acted too often. Doan's Kidney Pills i helped me, relieving1 the backache and strengthening my kidneys." Get Doan's at Any Store, 60c a Box EY LS FOSTER -M1LBURN CO.. BUFFALO. N. Y. DOAN'S Kp-rLN,. VICTIMS RESCUED Kidney, liver, bladder and unc acid troubles are most dangerous because of their insidious attacks. Heed the first warning they give that they need attention by taking LATHROP'S The world's standard remedy for three disorders, will often ward off these dis eases and strengthen the body against further ftttacks. Three sizes.alldruggists. Look for tha ntirt* Cold Medal on every box and accapt no imitation Ladies Keep Your Skin Clear, Sweet, Healthy With Cuticura Soap and Cuticura Talcum ^ r-4 PARKER'S HAIR BALSAM [rr? III i a Pa II n II i IT rinrn"r'-riil"-|j Restore* Color and IBaaoty to Gray and Faded Hasj (Or. and $1.00 at Drotc1?t? Bwcnx Chem. WtaFatdioanf.lt. T HINDERCORN8 Rfnna Oorru. Cal tooaea, etc.. atopa all pala. eaauraa eoaifort to the feet, makea valktac WT. Uc by mall or at Oruf Cirta. Hkeex Owaleal Werka, PatefaKiw. N. T WjjjTERSMITHs I* 0IU.1ON1C SOLD SO YEARS A FINE GENERAL TONIC Ion't Neglj Inflamed eyelids or other eye Irritations. You will m And a soothing and safe fyr-1 remedy In MITCHELL /SV EYE SALVE. *XS' at all druggist*. to learn the barber trade _ enroll for the spring and summer course. Good Jobs await our graduates. Charted* Barber Colle??, Charlotte, N. C. Wanted YoDns Men W. N. 0., CHARLOTTE, NO. 19-1923. "barling!" He Exclaimed. I was th<? last to enroll in the Eng lish class &nd the young instructor had copied my name ? Dovvling? hur riedly as the class bell sounded. He called the roll with much gu-ko until hg came to the badly scribbled last name. A pause. Then in an uncertain voice he said: "Darling?" Silence. "I>arlin^: ' l.e exclaimed. "Do you mean me?" I murmured. The .ensuing shouts of laughter filled me with greater embarrassment than ' ever experienced.? Exchange? Just as Noisy. Mrs. Johnsing ? Ah thought voii all snid you was gwine to >) rime your n???' baby "Victrola," but Ah hears v<?u all done make a change. Mrs. Moses ? Yes, Ah expel It would be a girl an' Ah had tlecidrd to name her "Victrola," but '?I'* turned "out to be a boy, so Alt don? name him "Radio." ? The iliris'Ia? Advocate. Time* Change. "They uned to smile at red-l:endfd girls." "And now half the .world Is Ming henna." Sure Relief FOR INDIGESTION.
Jackson County Journal (Sylva, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
May 28, 1923, edition 1
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