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W ' DESER \\ J* SA t/iutKor oh ? COPYRIGHT ~ZX?^ HAR.PCR ANo' Taqul, whaF'do you want?'* asked ! Peldlns, and repeated his question In Spanish "Senor r?'ck." replied the Indian. Gale jumped up. stlfilnpr an# exclamation. and he went outdoors with Ynnnl. The Indian's nresenoo was nl ways one of gloom. nnd now his stern action boded catastrophe. Once clear ' of trees he pointed to the level desert < across the river, where a row of camp- ! Arcs shone bright out of the dark ness. "Raiders!" ejaculated dale. Then he cautioned TaquI to keep sharp lookout, and, hurriedly return-J Ing to the house, he cared the men out and told them there were rebels or raiders camping Just across the line. | Ladd did not say a word. Beldlng. 1 with an oath, slammed down his cigar. r "I knew It was too good to last. . . . Dick, you and Jam stay here while Laddy and I look around." Dick returned to the sitting-room. The women were nervous and .not to be deceived. So Dick merely said , TaquI had sighted lights off in the desert, and they probably were eampflres. Welding did not soon return, and when be did he wr*.< alone, and, saying he wanted to consult with the men, he sent Mrs. Beldlng and the girls to their rooms. "Laddy's gone over to scout around \ and try to find out who the oqtfit helongs to nnd how many are in It," said j Beldlng. "I don't look for an attack ; on Forlorn River. I'm afraid it's?" ' Belding hesitated and looked with grim concern at the cavalryman. "What?" queried Thorne. } If'o Dntni! " X 111 (U1U1U 11 O XWJtlO. Thorne turrted pale but did not lose his nerve. "I thought of that at once. But Rojas will ne\*er get his hands on ray wife. If I can't kill him. I'll kill her! 1 . . V holding, this Is touch ml you? this risk we put upon your family. I regret?" "Cut that kind of talk," replied Belding, bluntly. "Well, if It Is Rojas he's acting d?n queer for a raider. : That's what worries me. We can't do anything but wait. With Laddy and YnquI out there we won't be surprised." The women of the house might have gotten some sleep that night, but It was certain the men did not get any. Morning broke cold and gray, tlie 19th of February. I.add came in hungry and cold, and said the Mexicans were | not breaking camp. He reported u good-sized force of rebels, and was taciturn as to his Idea of forthcoming events. --" /-?Cf a? ciint*{ca Vonnl ?"\LM'Ul JU1 IWU1 UllU OU111 ICC X?4U< t ran in with the Information that part of the rebels were crossing the river. "That can't mean a light yet," declared Beldlng. "But get in the house, boys, and make ready anyway. I'll meet him." "Belding, you're an officer of the United States. Mexicans are much impressed by show of authority. I've seen that often in camp," said Thorne. "Oh, I know the white-livered , Greasers better than any of you. don't mistake me," replied Belding. He was pale with rage, but kept command over himself. The rangers, with Yaqui and Thorne. stationed themselves at the ' several windows of the sitting room. Itifles and smaller arms and boxes (if shells littered the tables and window seats. Xo small force of besiegers ' could overcome a resistance such as Belding and his men were capable of making. i. The horsemen halted at the corrals. They were orderly and shov -d no evidence of hostility. They were, however. fully armed. Belding stalked out to meet tliem. Apparently a leader t wanted to parley with him. but I?elding would hear nothing. He shook his head, waved his arms, stamped to and ffo, and his loud, angry voice could be heard dear hack at the house. Whereupon the detachment of rebels retired to the bank of the river, beyond the white post that marked the boundary line, and there they once more drew rein. Ilelding remained by the corrals watching them, evidently still in threatening mood. Presently a single rider left the troop and trotted his horse back down the road. When l.e reached the corral he was seen to halt and pass something to Behling. Then he galloped away to Join liis comrades. P.elding looked at whatever It was lie held In his hand, shook his burly head, and started swiftly for the house. He came striding. Into the .room holding a piece of soiled paper. "Can't read It now and don't know as I want to," he said, savagely. Not one of the men was aide to translate the garbled scrawl. "Shore Mercedes can read It," said Ladd. Thome opened a door and called her. She came into the joorn followed by Nell and Mrs. Belding.. "My dpswe want yon to read, rCJOLB by .NE GREY ii dera of tlie Purple Sage, <f Wildfire, Etc. | Illustrations by Irwin MyerJ BROTHERS. what's written on rnis paper," said Thome, ns he led her to the table. Mercedes pave the writing one swift glnnce, then fainted in Thorne's arms. lie carried her to a couch, and with Nell and Mrs. Gelding began to work over her. Holding looked at his rangers. "Lnddy, it's Rojns all right. How ninny men hns he out there?" "Mebbe twenty. Not more." "We can lick twice that many Grenseis." "Shore." Jim Lash remo\ed his pipe long enough to si<eak. "Let's stave thf Qreaitt off till dark. Than Lnddy an' I When He Reached the Corrals He Wat Seen to Halt and Pass Something to Bclding. rro nn' Thome will lake Mercedes an' hit the trail for Yuma." "Cutnino del Diablo! That awful tra^l with a woman! Jim. do you forget how many Hundreds of men have perished on the Devil's road?" "I reckon I ain't forgettin' notliln'," replied Jim. "The waterholes are full now. There's grass, au' we can do the job In six days." "It's three hundred miles to Yuma." "Beldin', Jim's idea hits nie as pretty reasonable," interposed Ladd, "Lord knows that's about the only chance we've pot except flghtin'." ''But suppose we do stave Rojas off. and you get safely away with Mercedes. Isn't Rojas going to find it out quick? Then what'll lie try to do to us who're left here?" "I reckon he'd find out by daylight," replied Jim. "But, Tom, he ain't n-goin' to start a scrap then. You see, I'm figgerin' on the crazy Greaser wantin' the girl. But he's too smart to fight you for nothin'. Rojas may be nutty about women, but he's afraid of the U. S. Take my word for it, he'd discover the trail in the mornin' an' light out on it. I reckon with ten hours' start we could truvel comfortable." Holding paced up and down- the room. Jim and Ladd whispered together. Gale walked to the window and looked out nt the distant group i of bandits, and then turned his gaze ' to rest upon Mercedes. She was eon- | scions now. and lier eyes seemed jflll Hie larger and blacker for the whiteness of her face. No one but Gale saw the Yaqul in the background looking down upon the Spanish girl. All of Yaqul's looks were strange; but \ this was singularly so. Gale won- j deied if the Indian were affected hy her loveliness, her helplessness, or her terror. Presently Belding called his rangers to him, and tlu-n Thome. "Listen to this," he said, earnestly. "I'll go out and have a talk with Ro- 1 Jus. I'll try to reason with him; tell him to think a long time before lie | sheds blood on Uncle Sam's soil. That ; he's now after an American's wife! I'll not commit myself, nor will I refuse outright to consider his demands, nor wiH I show the least fear of him. I'll play for time. If my bluff goes through . . . well and good. . . . After dark the four of you. Laddy, Jim, Pick and Thome, will take Mercedes and my best white horses, and. with Yaqul as guide, circle round through Altar valley to the trail, and head for Yuma. I wai.t you to take the Indian, because in a* case of this kind he'll he a godsend. If you get headed or lost or have to circle off the trail, thin!: what it'd mean to have a Ynqui with you. He knows Sonorn as no Orvnser knows it. He could hide you, find water and grass, when you would absolutely believe it Impossible. The Indian Is loyal. Ho has Ids debt to pay, and he'll pay it, don't mistake me. When you're gone I'll hide Nell so Rojas won't spe her if he searches the place. Then I think I could sit down and wait without any particular worry." | "The rangers approved of Belding's plan, and Tliorne went to the side of , his wife. "Mercedes, we've planned to outwit ' Eojas. Will yon tell us what ho wrote?" "Rojns swore?by his saints and his Virgin?that If I wasn't given?to him ?in twenty-four hours?he would set ( Are to the village?kill the men?car- : ry off the women?hang the children j on cactus thorns!" A moment's silence followed her : last halting whisper. Then the Ynqui uttered a singular 1 cry. Gale had heard this once before, j and now he remembered It was at the Pnpago well. "Look at the Indian," whispered Belding, hoarsely. "D?n if I don't believe he understood every word Mercedes said. And, gentlemen, don't mistake me, If he ever gets near Senor Rojns there'll be some gory Aztec knife work." Ynqui had moved close to Mercedes, and stood beside her as she leaned against her husband. She seemed Impelled to meet the Indian's gaze, and evidently it was so powerful or hypnotic that it wrought Irresistibly upon her. But she must have seen or divined what was beyond the others, for she offered him her trembling hand. YaquI took It and laid It against his body In a strange motion, and bowed his hend. Then he stepped, back Into the shadow of the room. Beldlng went outdoors while the rangers took up their former position at the west wlndov. Each had his own s<mber thoughts, Gale imagined, and knew his own were dark enough. He saw Beldlng halt at the corrals and wave his hand. Then the rebels mounted and came briskly up the road, this time to rein In abreast. Wherever Rojcs had kept himself upon the former advance was not clear; but he certainly was prominently In sight now. He made a gaudy, almost a dashing figure. Itojas dismounted and seemed to be listening. Beldlng made gestures, vehemently bobbed his big head, appeared to talk with his body as much as with his tongue. Then Rojas was seen to reply, and after that It was clear that the talk became painful and difficult. It ended finally in what appeared to be mutual understanding. Itojas mounted and rode away with his men. while Beldlng came tramping back to ho hnnoo As he entered the door his eyes were shining. his big hands were clenched, and he was breathing audibly. "You can rope me If I'm not locoed!" he burst out. "I went out to conciliate a red-handed little murderer, and d?n me If I didn't meet a?a?well. Y've no suitable name handy. I atnrted my bluff and got along pretty well, but I,forgot to mention that Mercedes was Thorne!8 wife. And what do you think? Itojas swore he loved Mercedes?swore he'd marry i her right here In Forlorn River? i swore lie would give up robbing and killing people, and take her away from Mexico. He has gold?Jewels. He swore if he didn't get her norh ing mattered. He'd die anyway with-1 out her. . . . And here's the strange tiling. I believe him ! He was cold j as ice, and all h?1 inside. Never saw a Greaser like him. Anyway, without my asking he said for me to think it over for a day and then we'd talk again." "Shore we're born lucky!" ejaculated Lndd. "I reckon Itojas'll be smart enough to string his outfit across the few trails out of Forlorn River," remarked Jim. "Tbat needn't worry us. All we want is dark to come," replied Bel- ! ding. "Yaqul will slip through. If we thank any lucky stars let it be for the Indian. You may go to Yuma in six days and maybe in six weeks. You may have a big fight. Laddy, take the .40"). Dick will pack his Remington. All of you go gunned heavy. But the main thing is a pack that'll be ; light enough for swift travel, yet one that'll keep you from starving on the desert." The rest of that day passed swiftly. The sun set, twilight fell, then night ; closed down, fortunately n night slightly overcast. Gnle saw the white horses pass his door like silent ghosts. Even Blanco Diablo made no sound, and that fact was Indeed a tribute to the Yaqul. Gnle went out to put his saddle on Blanco Sol. The horse rubbed a soft nose against his shoulder. Then Gale returned to the sitting room. There was nothing more to do but wait and say good-by. Mercedes came dad In leather chaps and , coat, a slim striding of a cowboy, her ,1 1. A..An r, TT uunv t\> i*a nn ucuuij luuiu not be hidden, nnd now hope and , cournpe hnd fired her blood. Gale drew Nell Into his arms. "Dearest, I'm polnft ? soon. ... And innyhe I'll never?" "Dick, do?don't say It," sobbed Nell, with her head on his breast. "I mljrht never c-oine back," he went on, steadily. "I love you?I've loved you ever since ti e first moment I saw you. Do you love me?" "Yes, yes. Oh, I love you so! I never knew it till now. I love you so. Dick, I'll he safe and I'll wait?and nope iinu pru.v i<?r jour in inn. "If I come back?no?when I come back, will yon n arry me?'' "I?I?oh yes!' she whispered, and returned his kiss. Holding was in the room speaking softly. "Nell, darling, I must go," said Dick. "I'm a selfish little coward," cried Nell. "It's so splendid of you nil. I ought to glory in it, but I can't. . . . Fight If you must, Dick. Fight for that lovely persecuted girl. I'll love you?the more. ... Oh! Goodby! Goodby!" With a wrench that shook him, Gale ' let her go. lie heard Belding's soft voice. | (To Be Continued). RADIUM IS SOLUTION j H ? I Report From Europe is That Dream of j 3once de Lecn is Near. , m Life that will be worth living far ti heyonrl 100 years; health, vigor and ! o the exuberance of youth itself that j b will remain long after the biblically i h allotted span of three score years and tl ten: faces devoid of wrinkles: new cl hair on bald heads, and mouths gleam- e: ing Wit i a third set of natural teeth. H All these arc possibilities of the j next few years as a result of a radio- p active treatment than has passed the f( experimental stage and is now in t< practical use in Europe, according to f< Dr. E. Everett Field, Director of the ; b : |E IMPROVED UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL I .at J A Sunday School: ' Lesson5 ! (By REV. p. B. FITZWATER, D. D., , Teacher of English Bible In the Moody I Bible Institute of Chicago.) 1 Copyright. 1922, Western Newspaper Union. ] == I LESSON FOR DECEMBER 17 ] JESUS AMONG FRIENDS AND FOES j LESSON TEXT-Luke 10:38-42; 11:14-54. < GOLDEN TEXT-Ye are my friends. If ye do whatsoever I command you.?John . 15:14. I REFERENCE MATERIAL?Luke 2:34, I 35. ( I'P'MARY TOPIC?Jesus in the Home j of Fr jn Is. j JUNIOR TOPIC?Jesus Among Friends J and Foes. I I NTEF..MEDI ATE AND SENIOR TOPIC | ?1'riend.t and Enemies of Jesus. I YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC < ?Christ's Methods of Dealing With Peo- j Pie. | 1. Jesus in the Home of Friends < (Lake l):3S-42). ] There is no place where true charac- j ter Ls so clearly revealed as at home, i 1. Hi? Reception (v. 38). Martha ! was the head of the home, therefore j she received lilm. It would be a fine i thing Jf all homes were open to re- j celve Jesus. i 1!. Mary Sitting at Jesus' Feet (v. \ ?W% f*r?A crhf r?{tiinl H i CPPTH- ( i)yj out;, ui uuv opi??vMw? _ ment, knew that sitting at the Lord's " feet and hearing Hip Word was that = which would please him most. 5 3. Martha Cumbered About Much f Serving (v. 40). Both sisters loved j the Lord. It would be Impossible to j| say which loved the more; but Martha f was bent on providing a fine meal for t Him. She v as trying to do so many j things that she was on the verge of a distraction. This Jiad so completely j got on her nerves tfcat she found fault S with Jesus for permitting Mary to J leave the kitchen^ to listen to His I teaching. Not onlpr ijid she criticize a her sister and Jesus, but she ussumed I the authority to command Him to send I Mary back to the kitchen to help. 4. Jesus' Answer (w. 41, 42. (1) | Relinked Martha (v, 4L). He did this f tenderly, for He knew that she loved ! Ulm sincerely. (2) Defends Mary ; (v. 42). He declared that but one j thing was needful, and that Mary had f chosen that good part which could not * be taken away from her. < i * . fii.i4.oo,. oft. J II. UCtiUS ninwiiy I wo .XA M.. I .v . 32; 37-54). 1 1. Chirged With Being in League j With tbc Devil (vv. 14-23). Being un- j willing to receive Him as the Son of j God, uni yet unable to account for \ His iniglity works, tliey declared He ) was casting out demons through Beel- ) zetiub, the chief of demons. Jesus s exposed the fallacy of their reasoning j by showing that in that case Satan j would be arrayed against himself, and j therefore would destroy his own king- j doiu. j 2. Refused to Believe His Miracles j (vv. 2042). They asked for a sign, j to which He' replied that they would i hnve a sign from heaven in His death j and resurrection. lie reminded them, ) however that their request showed i unbelief surpassing that of the heath- \ en queen of the South, and the wicked I people of Nineveh. 3. Wickedness Denounced (vv. 37- j 54). lie pronounced six woes upon J those who were opposing Ilira and J seeking His destruction. n? . T\ 1 /.... Of 4 1 \ rruA?A ! u; x re nmrisees yvv. acti;. aucoc ; ? He denounced for (a) punctll- * lously observing some minute rites and at the fame time breaking the Ten CommanJnients. They carefully tithed the sma 1 herbs of the garden while practicing Injustice to their fellow- j men anc withholding love from God. ' He poin ed out to them the folly of attending to these external acts while the heart was tilled with wickedness, j (b) Desiring public recognition (v. 43). This is a common sin today. (c) For feigning humility (v. 44). He I compares their hypocrisy to graves which are on a level with the ground and may be stepped upon unconsciously by someone, and thus defiled. We | can avoid those who make their vun- j Ity known by boasting, but some are filled with this same wickedness who I do not thus muke it known. (2) The Lawyers (vv. 45-54). Jesus' strictures on the hypocritical Pharisee? aroused the lawyers, one of whom Indignantly declured: "You are Insult-j ing us also." In replying to this Christ pronounced three woes upon them; (a) for placing burdensome requirements upon the people to which the.)' themselves would not sumbit i (v. 46). (b) For the murder of God's J prophets (vv. 47-51). lie showed I that their attitude toward Him was 2 the Bame that was shown to the { prophets by their fathers, (c) For \ keeping back the knowledge of God I by false interpretation of the Scrip- i tur^s (vv. 52-54). There Is no 2 wickedness perhaps so great as that iJ of supposed teachers of God's Word J who keep Its precious truths from \ the people by perverting its meaning, j i i i f :adlum Institute, Xo. 323 Riverside r 'rive. j t Dr. Field, who predicts the exit of j t lonkcy glands, crutches and no3- I c ums, bases his assertions not only '> n his own knowledge of the subject [ c ut UDon facts obtained by him from I 'rof. I Barton Scammel, president of t he British Radium Society who pro- c !aims the radio-active treatment an > t stablishcd success. He quotes I'rof. ? cammel as follows: . i "Those methods long have been ap- ? lied to the soil and arc now adaptable j c )r humanity. The trouble has been j 1 ) supply alkaline metal potash in a i arm in which it can be assimilated y the body and taken into the blood. ' Ixpcriments have shown that, mixed < rith a radio-active solution, it can be i iken into the system with amazing- 1 YORKViLLE COTTO FIRST OA OUR ROLLER MIL: condition and in charge o: business, has been throuj ing, and we are GIVING- A SATISF. FIRST-CLASS FLO WHEAT. OUR PATROXS test to get better satisfaction where. Bring us your w ! Y0RKY1LLE COTTO CHRIST ON CHRISTMAS DAY ! COMES JUST BEFORI g .. v* :Jr \ THAT WE AKJS JHJN TIT S NARILY COMES TO VI l ^ ^^ | J. H. SHERER ^^ SHE | T * K Zg.ZgKgr*. XLf&ZiHVSlfig C&f&iLiXfgfig csuits. After several treatments even he hair begins to grow afresh and he entire muscular system is renewed md strengthened." Dr. field explained that third sets >f teeth in process of formation have >een discovered in jawbones. He said hese teeth would come through Just is the first two sets if persons had mough vitality left when these teeth trc forming to carry them to maturty. The only thing needed now to asmre a third set of teeth is the dis:overy ,of the exact chemical composi:ion of the enamel of the teeth?the adio-active treatment will do the rest. "I fully believe,"- Dr. Field continued, 'that within another ten years the use >f radium to extend the period ol nan's life will be common.?New York World. N OIL COMPANY j ( 1 I I SS FLOUR I i L, always kept in good j f: a Miller who knows his J *h a complete overhaul- ! i i i A.CTORY YIELD OP UR FROM GOOD I I I I I ify that they arc unable ! than we give them any- j heat. j i i N Oil COM ! I Mwamwm MAS D; AND DURING THE HOL ! AND AFTER XMAS, LED TO A LtTTLE MORI 3 AT OTHER TIMES: it fet aui keHfjSl of Th SHERER & QUL Have Made Arrangements to Servt All the World Special Delicacies for day Menus. Among Them Are, DELICIOUSLY ? FRU'"*" ' vURED HAMS CAKES AND OTHER C MAS CAKES AND CRACKERS ORANGES, APPLES, BANANAS G FRUIT, NUTS, COCOANUTS, RAI CANDIES, PICKLES, OLIVES IGARS, CIGARETTES, ")FT DRINKS, ETC. IN ORDER TO MAKE Story Short, the Housewife it Assured n She Comes to This Store of Quality ias Time She May Come With Pertnce That Whatsover She Wants to hristmas Dinner Complete She Will >ur Store. "N'T GOT IT WE WILL DO OUR SET IT FOR YOU. :rer & qi HE QUALITY GROCI YORK S. C. | ?A manufacturing company shipping its product long distances from the factory by truck utilizes this means of transportation every hour of the day and night by providing a j sleeping compartment above the seat of the driver. One man sleeps and the other drives. The bed is similar to a J Pullman berth with windows on three sides to provide ventilation. In this ] way practically all l?"ls for lodging are eliminated and considerable time is saved on the way. " ANTONIO 3 i ANTONIO means the VERY BEfiT , grade of New Orleans Molasses.' Wo ' have Just opened up a barrel of New : Crop. Bring along your jug and try a gallon. 2>> < BUY FLOUR NOW k WE ARE SELLING FLOUR under . . the Wholesale Price. You can save | money by buying Flour now. Wo- have a big stock of GALVANIZ? ED ROOFING in all popular lengths, I and at the RIGHT PRICE, i A few bushels of Pure Red. May | Wheat left. See us for : VULCAN TURN PLOWS | And MIDDLE BREAKERS* and Re- * I pairs for same. i SEE US FOR < 1 Field Fencing. Hog Feed, Dairy Feed. | and Everything in Heavy Groceries* ., i ana Faim Hardwa.-e. L ^ Ferguson & Youngblood I I CATHOLIC BOOKS i 1 | s sent free on application. i r get your information 5 first hand. ! s QUESTIONS ANSWERED BY ! = MAIL. j | 5 WRITE TO 3 1 REV. W. A. TOBIN Sj Saint Anne's Church ROCK HILL, 8. C. 1 niiiiuiiiimiiiiiiimmiiiiimiiiiiiiimiii UNTIES I IDAY SEASON THAT | , MOST OP US FEEL , |??? I TO EAT THAN OEDI J. W. QUINN S fINN :ks I \ V ? - '. -' % ' <JB