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THE PEOPLE. BARNWELL 8. C Desert Gold ZANE> GREY Author of • Riders of tRe Ptirple Sage, Wildfire, Etc. OO Copyright by Haroer & Brothers. * QO o§o§ooo8o88§oo88§o§oo8§o8§88o8o§§o8ooo88oo888§oooo§ooo§oo§oo8o§o§§o88§§§o§o88ooo ROUGH-HOUSEl SYNOPSIS.—Seeking gold in the desert, ‘‘Cameron.” solitary pros pector, forms a partnership with an unknown man whom he later learns is Ilonas Warren, father of gjrl whom Cameron wronged, hut 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 nun are dying. Cameron leaves evidence, in the cave, of their dis covery of gold, and personal docu ments. Richard Gale, adventurer, in Casita, Mexican border town, meets George Thorne, lieutenant in the Ninth cavalry, old college friend. Thorne tells Gale he is there fo'save Mercedes Castadcna, Spanish girl, his affianced wife, from Rojas. Mexican bandit. CHAPTER I.—Continued. nl I ‘ III Iw TMrk. thi to it WUi It) l« to t •r to rh« r*!.»r It k. tlUnk! With Mem Ime nt first sight, arrv hrr and ret her del i. u« .h»s far the .tri ^ lamp’s ‘ ‘flickered. Tlv^ne entered a huge cliamber which was even more poorly lighted than the hall. It con tained a table littered with papers, a few high-hacked chairs, a, couple of couches, and was evidently a parlor. - “Mercedes lias been meeting me here,” said Thorne. “At tills hour she comes every moment or so to the head of the stairs there, and if I am here she conies down. Mostly there are people in this room a little Inter. W'e go out into the plaza. It faces the dark side of the house, and that’s the place I must slip out with her If there's nny chance at all to get away.” They peered out of the open .win dow. in a moment, however, (ini*- made «*ut a slow-pacing dark form on the path. Farther down there was another. No particular keenness was required to sis* in these forms a sen- tIncl*like stealthiness. Gripping Gale’s arm, Thorne pulled l*»ok fr»»tn the wfmtntr. “You saw them,” he whispered. “It’s |i <r n< M. I fen red Rojas has tin hied. I should have take iway. Itut I had no tir ? I'm ttound! . . . 1 es now* My O—d! . In tl Mer Iqve and happiness for us. It’s 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, an exqui site grace. “Senor, you are an American. You chnnot know the Spanish blood—the peon bandit’s hate and cruelty. I wish to die before Rojas' hand touches me. If he takes me hjive, then tin* hour, tlie little day that ray life la'ts afterward will be tortun—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 whom you love*? Help Senor Thorne to save me. He Is a soldier. He Is hound. He must not betray his honor, his duty, for ine. . . . Now, let me waste no more precious time. I am ready. I will he brave.” Shi* came rtoac to G.ile. holding out her white 1 at -’> n w.iinitii nil flr» soul and pasnlon. To Gale she was Ills heart leaped. As he »r hand** ann kissed them to feet hints. lit h« mlerful. it over h rene he mf •I ie <a%. teotlon; almost every face turned his way. One of the ^Intuited men, a little tawny fellow, leaiied to confront Gale, and In a frenzy screamed a vol ley of Spanish, of which Gale distin guished “Gringo!” Dick swung his leg and with a swift side kick knocked the fellow's feet from under him, whirling him down with a thud. The action was performed so sud denly, so adroitly, It made the Mexi can such a weakling, so like a tumbled tenpin, that the shrill Jabbering hushed. Gale knew this to he the .•dgnifleant monlent. Wheeling, he rushed* at Rojas. Tt was his old line-breaking plunge. Nei ther Itojaf* nor ills men had time, to move. The black-skinned bandit’s The 0- was sc* red —hr I pie**. , , Dirk, It worked Rplendldly. *Ve had na trouble. What on earth did you doT* “I made fh^ row. all right," said, Dick. “While 1 was rushing Rojna a couple of cowboys abut out the lamplights. A Mexican who pulled a knife on me got hurt, I guess. Then I think there was some shooting from the rebels after the room was dark.” Mercedes pressed . close t<K^htra, touched his hands, looked up Intoxhls face with wonderful eyes. He thought he would not soon forget th^lr beauty —the shadow of pain that had been, the hope dawning so fugitlvely. “Dear Indy,” said Gale, with voice not wholly steady, “Rojas himself will hound you no more tonight, nor for many nights." She secured to shake, to thrill, to rise with the Intelligence. She pressed his hand close over her heaving breast. Gale felt the quifk throb of her heart. \ “Senor! Senor Dick!” she cried. Then her voice filled. RiU her hands flew up; quick is a flash she raised her face—kissed lUm. Then she turned and with a sob fell Into Thorne'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, Rut presently this passed. What remained with him was the splendid glow of. gladness thfit he had hAen of service to Thorne. “Dick. Dick, i-ome here!" called ne softly. “!.et*i pull our*elve» liter now. We’ve got a prohlern What to do? Where to go? How Pt any jd ice? We're on g«»d l ground this minute, but « Sure Relief FOR INDIGESTION 6 Bcll-ans Hot water Sure Relief E LL-AN S 254 A*0 734 PACKAGES EVERYWHERE v .1 Long Word*. -‘ . 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Tb.* prle«t bus la grayed me or h:i« I wen «t.ffMMs!. Mercedea is her.* abme. walling. iiId gutely de- |N>ieb*tit ii|»>n me to save her fr* , m— from . . She** (lie *\\«*eti»st. love licet girl! . . . In a few moments— mm mer or later there’ll he hell here! Dick, arc you with me?" # ^... Dick Gab* droit a lung, deep" hfffnth. A coolness, a lethargy, and Indiffer ence that bad weighed upon him far months ha<l passed out of Ids being. <»n the instant lie could not sponk. but Ids hand closed powerfully upon ids friend’s. Thorne’s face changed wonderfully, the distress, the fear, tin- appeal all vanishing in a smile of passionate gratefulness. Thert Dick's gaze attracted* by same slight sound, shot over ids friend's shoulder to see u face at }lu* window —a handsome, bold, sneering face, with gttftering dark eyes that flashed mi sinister Intentness. Dick stiffened in Ids seat. Tliorne, with - sudden clenching of hands, wheeled toward the wihdiav. “Rojos!’’ he whispered. I will fig I - ‘ CHAPTER II , t c Mercedes Castaneda. The dark face vanished. DK'k Gale heard footsteps and the tinkle of spurs. He strode to the window, and was *in time to' see a Mexican swag ger Into the front door of the saloon. There .were men passing In the street, nl*o several Mexicans lounging .against the hitching rail at the curb. “Dtd yrth see him? Where did he go?” wTrtsi>efefl Thorne, as he Joined 'Gale. “Those Greaser* out there with the cartridge belt* crossed over their ri»n Key "are J ’ret»eTV. fm afril'T 1 Rolan baa the bouse spotted." **tf wg could <fil) tie suae." ”1*01 sure. IHck l^t s i~ro— the I to English: •y lover: 1 will tm strong— —I will obr>. Hot swear “But Swear by My.Virgin, If Need Be < to Save Me From Roja*—You Will Kill Me!" by my Virgin, If nec«l lie to save me from Rojas—you will kill me!" “Mercedes 1. Ye*. I’ll *wesr.“ he re ddled, hourvly, *T know—I’d rattjer thaa—~'ttnr don’t give up. Rojas i a n’t he suE^rffT ~yai»- or he woukln’t wsIL He’s In there. “ITe*§ •uHi.ethlni t tin at had route to hlr The* irdci [i«a| ilutn broke loo The He ftv ppev 1 out <»f the ||IM *T" n' me n r oar. Gale he* nl M i)»t* down the cot l|de of *te|i* to thr fliMir that sou wdet i Ike dull spat’ i In the of the k nliNi n. and he str retl n •list II T he big lamp bel ilnd little, aim Hint Ing drunkenne* * II* Ml 11*1 f* *«*ei Hint :ly spl it. then xputte retl over the |U X l| tilldcs. Jostled Me x lew ns ond U»*l t t< leu ving the rtstm In at the b nr. l:ittgh«*l like n m lUdlln dark ness fool, and. wit * hi* hut slouc led down G: It* 1 »*npc Vl fowl irtl the r* •stau runt • crowded here and there. -I'resently his eye caught sight of the group of cowboy* 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 nsust Ik* by striking fire froln them in one swift •ktroko. ITnnting himself squarely he fore the two tall cowboys who were gttfnding, he looked straight into their lean, bronzed faces. He spared a full moment fok that keen, coo! gaze- hpfore he spoke. ■ “I’m got drunk. I'm throwing a hi tiff, and I- mean to start a rough •house. —I’m going to rush that d—d bandit Rojas. It’s to save a girl—to give lipr lover, who is my friend, a chance to escape with her. Bhe's in the, house. Rojas is here to get her. When I start a row my friend will try to slip put with tier. Every door and window Is wytehod. I’ve 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 me '' » • One cowhi y'* eye* narrowed, blink ing a little, and his lean Jaw drop|>ed; the othhr*? hard face rippled with n fleeting smile!"' Gale ’ ! ' - , ; - liffrfBftT w?rfsawTrieTwb oovbms VI. Gale rc*ll/«-d that the e.|ge of an unki the edge of * hinitlh to <-|u*>se the «]<• he had no doubt were many Amei f Ifcr rhe*g \. SV ■jv.blUlk. ftgftar them m plmmtm iknown desert and 11^ town. He had rt. hecim«e. though -nt In t’nsltn there an* who might be- door. which was outlined faintly by the yellow light within. Right and left he pushed the groping men who jostled with him. He vaulted.a pool table, sent taldes and chairs flying, and gained the door, tq be the first of a wedging mob to squeeze through, one sweep of Ids arm knocked tin* res taurant lamp from its stand; ami he ran <ou. leaving darkness behind him. A few hounds took him into 14m* par lor. ^It was' deserted. Thorne had gotten away with-*Mercedes f It Was then Gale slowed up. For the -space of perhaps sixty seconds lie had been moving with startling velocity. He pee ml cautiously opt into tiie plaza. Under.a street lamp at tlie far end of the-path he. thought tie sa\v a two dark figures. He can faster, and soon reached the street. The hproar back in the hotel began to diminish, or else lie was getting out of hearing. Tlie few people lie saw close at hand were nli 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 ah«>od. ^$0. He began to overhaul them; and *oon. when tlie last lamp had been piuiMaL aafl the viaejUfk h» ventured a whistle. Thorne beard Hal I; J wool to >ee bow It la the .efecc *»f the Koine " *u I rote «eat b!s men i he hesitate* IomoiT atsod ail arou heaM I ! I if If with one purpo ifree him. Then G^J rrf Inc a Km • ti f v at rid* stag it tl.. rhalr* 1 grev frh-nd iHm. he could not chance the risk* of socking them at night. He f.*lt a slight touch on hi* arm. 1 felt It move down, felt Mercedes slip a 1 trembling cold little hand Into his. j Dick looked nt her. If the.loneliness, the silence, the desert, the unknown dangers of the night affected him, what must they he tq this- hunted, driven girl? Gale’s heart swelled. He^" was alone with her. He hud no weap on. no money, no food, no drink, no covering, nothing except his two hands. 'He did not know where to find tlie 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 tin* girl, and groaned in spirit, prayed that it would be given him to save her„ When ^le remembered himself it was with tlie stunning consciousness that lie could conceive of no situation which lie would have exchanged for tills one—where fortune had set him a perilous task of loyalty to a friend, to n helpless girl. “Senor, senor!” suddenly whispered Mercedes, clinging to him. “Listen! 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