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About The North Platte semi-weekly tribune. (North Platte, Neb.) 1895-1922 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 28, 1922)
THE) NORTH PLATT10 SMMI-VVKTgKLY TRTBTTNE DESERT GOLD cfuthor oF COPYRIGUT tilror, in .ih.im, aV nnn linnlrr town, mcct.i aorur 'i'huiii . Ili'iiifnant In tlio Ninth ctivtilry, old t l. friend. Tliorne tells Gulp he 1H thwi- to Mtve Mercedes CaatanodH, Mpunlkh Kirl, hln atnanced wife, ftom ItoJiiB, Mexican lianillt. CHAPTER II Mercedes Castanedn. The dnrk face vanished. Pick Gale heard footsteps and tlie tinkle of spurs. He strode to the window, and was In time to see a Mexican sw'ag per Into the front door of the saloon. There were men passim: In the street, ' also several Mexicans lounging against the hitching rail at the curb. "Did you see him? Where did he go?" whispered Tliorne, as he Joined Gale. "Those Greasers out there with the cartridge hells crossed over their ( breasts they are rebels. I'm afraid Rojns lias the house spotted." "If we could only he sure." "I'm sure, Dick. Let's cross the, hall ; T want to see how It looks from the other side of the house." Gale followed Thome out of the res taurant Into the high-celled corridor which evidently divided the hotel, opening Into the street and running buck to a pnMn. A few dim, yellow lamps flickered. Thome entered a ' huge chamber which was even more poorly lighted than the hall. It con tained a table littered with papers, n few high-hacked chairs, a couple of ' couches, and was evidently a parlor. "Mercedes has been meeting mo here," said Thome. "At this hour she ( pics evny moment or so to the head of the stairs there, and If I nm here she comes down. Mostly there are people In this room a little later. We go out Into the plaza. It faces tho dark side of the house, and that'.s the place T must slip out with her If there's any chance at all to get away." They peered out of tho open win dow. In a moment, however, flale; made out a slow-pacing dark form on the path. Farther down there was another. No particular keenness was required to see In these forms a sen-tjnel-llko stealthlness. , Gripping Gale's arm, Tliorne pulled ' back from the window. "You saw them," he whispered. "It's Just as I feared. Itojas has the placo surrounded. 1 should have taken Mer cedes away. Hut I had no time no chance I I'm bound ! . . . There's Mercedes now ! My 0 d t . . . DWV, thlntf, think think If there's n wnj to get her out of this trap!" Gale turned as his friend went down the room. In the dim light at the head of the stairs stood the slim, mullled llgure or a woman. When she saw Thnrne she Hew noiselessly down the stairway to him. He caught her In, his arms. Then she spoke softly, bro kenly, In a low, 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, X'pon Gale It had an unnccountablo effect. He found himself thrilling, wondering. Thome led the girl to the center of the room, under the light whore Gale stood. "Mercedes Dick Gale, an old friend - the best friend I ever had." . She swopt Hie mantilla back over her head, disclosing a lovely face, strange and striking t. Gale In Its pride and fire. Its Intensity. 1 "Honor Gale ah I I cannot speak my happiness. His friend 1" "Yes, Mercodes; my friend and yours," said Tliorne, speaking rapidly.' "We'll have need of him. Dear, there's bad news and no time to break1 ( It 'gently. The priest did not come,1 (Ho must have been detnlned. And1 listen be brave, dear Mercedes Itojas Is hero!" Sho uttered an Inarticulate cry, the poignant terror of which shook Gale's nerve, and swayed as If sho would faint, Tliorne caught her and In husky voice Importuned her to bear up. "My darling I For God's sake don't faint don't go to pieces 1 We'd bo lost I We've got a chnnce. We'll think of something. lie strong 1 Fight!" It was plain to Gale that Thome ! wns distracted. Ho scarcely knew what ho was saying, l'nlo and shale !ng, he clasped Mercedes to hltn. Sho cried out In Spanish, beseech ing blia; nnd as ho shook his head, 1 she changed to English: "Senor, my lover, I will bo Btrong I will fight I will obey. Hut swear ( ty my Virgin, If need bo to save me from Itojas you will kill mo!" "Mercedes I Yea, I'U swear," bo re plied, hoarsely. "I know I'd rather bnvo you dead than Dut don't glre up. Itojas can't bo suro of you, cr he wouldn't wait. Uo'b In there. lie's trot his men there all around us. But he hesitates. A beast Ilka Itojas doesn't stand Idle for nothing. I tell joujivo'vo a chance. Dlclr, here, will -ZJCs HARPta AND ikInpii- fay ZAME OTEBY Ktderfl or thcrwrpio uagc Wildfire, Etc. Illustrations by Irwin lycxs? BROTHERS. Think of something. Well slip away- Then he'll take you somewhere. Only speak to him show hltn you won't weaken. Mercedes, this Is more tbnn love and1 happiness for us. It's life or denth." ' She became quiet, and slowly reeov-j ereil control of herself. She wheeled! to face Gale with proud dark eyes,' tragic sweetness of nppeal, an exqui site grace. "Senor, you lire an American. You ennnot know the Spanish blood the peon bandit's hate and cruelty. 1 wish to die before Itojns' 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 . . . Sonor, hnve'you a sister whom you lovoV Help Senor Thome to save me. Ho is a soldier, j He Is bound. He must not betray blsj honor, his duty, for me. . . . Now, let me wnstc no more precious time. I am ready. I will bo brave." She came close to Gale, holding out , her white hands, a woman all Are andj soul and passion. To Gale she was( wonderful. His heart leaped. As he bent over hev hnnds aim kissed themj he seemed to feel himself renewed, I remade. i "Senorlta," he said, "1 am happy toj be your servant. I can conceive of no greater pleasure than giving the serv ice you require." "And what Is that?" inquired I Tliorne hurriedly. I "That of Incapacitating Senor Uojasi for tonight, and perhaps several i nights to come," replied flale. "I'll j make a row in that saloon. I'll start j something. I'll rush Kojns anil, his crowd. I'll" "Lord, no; you mustn't, Dick you'll he knifed 1" cried Tliorne. "I'll take a chance. , Maybe I can surprise that slow Greiiser 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 h the plaza will run Into the snloon. Then you slip out, go straight through tho plaza down the street. It's a dark street, I remember. I'll catch up with you before you got far." Tliorne gasped, but did not say a word. Mercedes leaned ngalnst him, her whlto 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, antl disar range his collar. Then ho stepped Into tho restaurant, went through, and halted In the door lending Into the saloon. No one appeared to notice hltn. Gale's roving glance soon fixed upon the man he took to be Itojas. The Mexican's face was turned aside. He was In earnest, excited colloquy with n dozen or more comrades, most of whom were sitting round a table. They wero listening, talking, drinking. The fact that they wore cartridge belts crossed over their breasts satisfied Gale, that these werq the rebels. He 'became conscious of tin Inward lire that threatened to overrun his cool ness. Other emotions harried his self control. It seemed as It sight of the man liberated or created a devil In Gnlei And at the bottom of his feel- Inirs tnere seemed to be u wonder at "But Swear by My Vfrnln, If Need Bo to Save Me From Rojas You Will Kill Mel" himself, a strange satisfaction for the something that had come to him. He 8tcppri ss of the doorway, down the co'uplo of steps to the floor of the saloen, and JUe. staggered, ji Tittle, simulating drunkenness. He fell over the pool itnhh's, Jostled Mexicans , nt the bar. laughed like a maudlin ' fool, and, with his hat slouched down, crowded here ami there. Presently I his eye caught sight of the group of cowboys whom he had before noticed with such Interest. Thoj wero still In a corner some what Isolated. With fertile mind working, Gnle lurched over to them. If he were to get any help from those silent nlooV rangers It must be by striking lire from them In oiie swift stroke. 1'lantliig himself squarely- be fore the two tall cowboys who were standing, lie looked straight Into their lean, bronr.ed faces. He spared afiill moment for thnt keen, cool gaze before he Hpoko. ' "I'm not drunk. I'm throwing n bluff, nnd I meiin to start a rough , house. I'm going to rush that' d tl bandit Itojas. It's to sure a girl to give her lover, who Is my friend, a chance "to i'scape with her. She's in ' the house. Itojas Is here to get her. , When I start a row my friend will try to slip out with her. Every door and window Is watched. 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 nt stnke. Now, gentle men, watch me!" One cowboy's e.xes narrowed, blink ing a little, and his lean Jaw dropped; the other's hard face rippled with a fleeting smile. Gale hacked away, and his pulse leaped when he saw the two cowboys, ns If with one purpose, slowly stride after htm. Then Gale swerved, stng gerlng 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 thfe laps of sev eral Mexicans, there arose a shrill cry. He had succeeded In attracting at tention ; almost every face turned his way. One of tho 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 his leg and with a swift side kick knocked the fellow's feet from under him, whirling him down with a thud. The actlbn was performed so sud denly, so adroitly, It mnde I he Mexi can such a weakling, so like a tumbled tenpin. that the shrill jabbering hushed. Gale knew this to be the slgnlllcunt moment. Wheeling, he rushed at Itojas. It was bis old line-breaking plunge. Nei ther Itojas nor his men had time to move. The black-skinned bandit's The Black-Skinned Bandit's Face Turned a Dirty White. face turned u dirty white; his Jaw dropped ; ho would have shrieked If Gnle -had not hit him. The blow swept him backward' against his men. Then Gale's henvy body, swiftly fol lowing with the momentum of thnt rush, struck the little group of rebels. They went down with the tnble and chairs In a sliding crash. Gale, carried by his plunge, went with them. Like n cnt he landed on top. As ho rose his powerful hands fastened on Itojas. He Jerked tho little bnndit off the tnnglcd pile of struggling, yelling men, nnd, swinging him with terrific force, let go his hold. Rojns slid along tho floor, knocking over tables and chairs. Gale bounded back, dragged Rojas up, handling hlro I ns If he wero a limp sack. A shot rang out above the yells. Gale heard the JInglo of breaking glass. The room dnrkened percep I tlbly. Ho Unshed a glanco backward, ' Tho two cowboys wero between him and tho crowd of frantic rebels. One cowboy hold two guns low down, level 1 In front of him. The other lind his gun raised and aimed. On tho Instnnt It spouted red nnd white. With the crack came the crashing of glass, an other darkening shade over the room. With a cry Gnle slung tho bleeding Rojns from him. The bnndit stnick a table,- toppled over It, fell, and lny prone. Another shot made the room full of moving shadows, with light only back of the bar. A white-clad flguro rushed at Gale. Ho tripped tho man, but had to kick hnrd to disengage himself from grasping hands. Another figure closed In on Gale. This one was dark, swift. A blado glinted described a circle aloft. Simultaneously with a close, red Hash tne Knife wavered ; the man wielding it stumbled backward. TJieu pandemonium broke loose. Tho '.UP. became u roar. Halo heard shots that Sounded" like dull SpUi .iO distance. The I" lamp behind the bar seemingly split, then sputtered and went out, leaving the room In darkness. Gale leaped toward the restaurant door, which wns outlined faintly by the yellow light within, ltlgbt and left he pushed the groping men who Jostled with lilm. He vaulted a pool table, sent tables and chairs Hying, and gained the door, to be. the llrst of a wedging mob to sqtuw.e through. One sweep of Ida nrm knocked the res tnumiit lump from its stand; atM he ran out, leaving darkless Jiehlud him. A lew bounds took him into the par lor. It wns deserted. Tliorne lind gotten itMiiy with Mercedes.! It was then Gnle slowed up. For the space of netiiatis ' slxtv seconds he had been moving with startling ' ,-,.1, ,,.11,. if, 1 ,1 1 ' into the filaza. Under a street lump 1 at the far emUof the path he thought I so saw two dark figures. He ran faster, and soon reached the street 1 Tho uproar back In the hotel began I to diminish, or else he was getting out 1 of hearing. The Tow people he saw I close at hand were all coming his j way, and only the foremost showed any excitement. Gale walked swiftly. J peering ahead for two figure:.. Pres ently he saw them one tall, wojrlng a cape; the other slight; mantled. Gale drew a sharp breath of relief. Thorne. and Mercedes were not far , . ; ; : nnt,jUi Good people, good music and a He began to overhaul them; and!K0(l floor makc Dancland orory soon, when the Inst lamp had been Saturday night. passed and the street was dark, he ventured a whistle. 'Ijfiorne heard I HAJtOLD II. WALKER I. .. ,. X ...... . . 11. in ne mined, wiiisuou a low reply, and went on iui ior some instance beyond, where the street ended in open country, did they halt to wait. Then he came up with the fugitives. "Dick! Are you all right?" panted Tliorne, grasping Gale. "I'm out of breath hut O. K" replied Gale. "Good ! Good !" choked Tliorne. "I wns scared helpless. . . . Dick, It worked splendidly. We had no trouble. What on earth did yon do?" "I made the row. all right." said Dick. "Wliile I was rushing Itojas a couple of cowboys shot out the j lamplights. A Mexican who pulled a 1 knife on me got hurt, I guess. Then I think there was some shooting from the rebels after the room wns dark." , Mercedes pressed close to him, touched his hands, looked up Into his face with wonderful eyes. He thought I he would not soon forget their beauty j the shadow of pain thnt had been, the hope dawning so fugltlvely. , "Dear lady," said Gale, with voice. not wholly steady. "Itojas himself j 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 dose over her heaving breast. Gale felt the quick throb of her heart. "Senor ! Senor Dick 1" sho cried. Then her voice failed. But her , hands Hew up; quick as a flash she raised her face kissed him. Then she turned, and with a sob fell Into ' , Thorno's arms. There ensued a silence broken only by Mercedes' sobbing. Gale walked ! some paces away. If he were not stunned, he certnlnly was ngltated. The strange, sweet fire of thnt girl's Hps remained with him. On the spur 1 of the moment he Imnglned ho lind a 1 Jenlousy of Tliorne. But presently , this passed. What remained with him wns the splendid glow of gladness that he had been of service to Tliorne. ' "Dick, Dick, come here I" called ' Thorne softly. "Let's pull ourselves together now. We've got a problem 1 yet. What to do? Where to go? now 1 to get any plnce? We're 011 good old j U. S. ground this minute, but we're1 not out of danger." As he paused, evidently hoping for a suggestion from Gale, the silence wns broken by the clear, ringing peal of a bugle. Thorne gave 11 violent stnrt. '"It's u call, Dick! It's a call 1" he cried. 1 Galo had no answer to mnke. Mer cedes stood as if stricken.- The buglo i call ended. From a dlstanco another faintly pealed. Thcro were other sounds too remote to recognize. Then , scattering shots rattled out. "Dick, the rebels are fighting some body," burst out Thome excitedly. "Tho little federal garrison still holds us sianu. i-criiaps 11 is attncKca again. Anyway, there's something do- Inrr nvnf flm linn Xf o v1r tlm itmvw ti, mj ni wit; uu j Greasers are firing on our camp. We've feared it In the dnrk. . . . And here I am, away without leare practically a deserter!" "Go back! Go back, before you're too late!" cried Mercodes. "Bettor make tracks, Thome," added Gale. "It can't help our .pre dicament for you to bo arrested. I'll take cure of Mercedes." "No, no, no," replied Thome. "I can get away avoid arrest." Mercedes embraced her lover, begged him to go. Tliorno wavered. "Dick, I'm up ngalnst It," ho said. "You're right. If only I can run back In time. But, oh, I hnto to leave her I Old fellow, you've saved her! I al ready owe you everlasting gratitude. Keep out of Oaslta, Dick. The U. S. side might be safe, but I'm nfrald to trust It at night. Go out In the des ert, up In the mountains, In some safe plnce. Then come to mo In camp. Wo'll plan. I'll have to confide In Colonel Wccde. Maybe he'll help us. Hide her from tho rebels that's alL" ne wrung Dick's hand, clasped Mer cedes tightly In his arms, kissed her, And murmured low over her then re leased her to rush off Into the dnrk ness. Ho disappeared In tho gloom. The sound of his dull footfalls jmtda ally died away. Gajo realised that he was between the edge nt an unknown desert nnd the edge of n hostile town. He lind to choose the desert, because, though , I he had no doubt that In Caslta there were many Americans who might lie- . friend him, he could not chnnce the risks of seeking them at night. He felt a slight touch on his arm. felt It move down, felt Mercedes slip a trembling cold little hnnd Into his. Dick looked at her. If the lonolfni, tlio wlfntirtii ttio ttaioiift (tin tttiViutiin J dangers or the night affected hltn, ' what niuit they be to this hunted, driven glti? Gale's heart swelled. II was alone with Iter. He had no weap on, no money, no food, no think, no covering, nothing except his two 'hands, lie did not know where" to 1 find the railroad, or nay rond or trail. I or w"ether or not there were towns near or fur It vn n nrltleiil. Prt? lnn. He thought llrst of ,l10 SM uml Kned in spirit, prayed 1,,n' ' w'n''l l"' K'ven him to save ner. wnen ne remeinoerou nimseir it wns wilh the stunning consciousness that he could conceive of no sltuntlon which he would Int'e exchnnged for this one where fort one had set hltn a perilous task of loyalty to a friend, to a helpless girl. "Senor, senor l" suddenly whispered Mercedes, cllnginz to him. "Listen I I hear horses coming I" CONTINUED .ractlcc limited to Kve. Ear. Nose and Thront Offices over JIcDoaalil Itnnk Phono 35G DR. L. A. SNAVELY Dentist X-ltaj Diagnosis Oxygen and Gas Anesthesia for Extractions. Over Union State Bank Phono 250 HI) KIERIG Auctioneer For dates and terms call at First National Bank North Platte, Neb. Office -340 House 48b . ''K 51IAI I' U Osteopath Physician Ovur the Oasis North Piatt DR. II. R. ROYDEN Goitre Spcdnlist ' " Write for Appolntmont or Information Grand Island, Nebraska Jttlco Phono 241 Res. Phone 21 L. C. I) HOST Osteopathic Physician North Platte, Nebraska Knights of Columbus Building GEO. B. DENT Physician and Surgeon Special Attention Given to Surgen and Obstetrics Office: Building & Loan Building Phones: Office 130 Residence 115 DOUCET MUSIC STUDIO Trovlyn E. Doucet Teacher of Violin and Cornet PURS "WANTED Good demand. Better than last year. HIDES L. LIPSIIITZ When in North Platte CONE AND SEE US Hotel Palace Palace Cafe PalaceBazaar Everything reasonable. Station. first class and prices Opposite Unton Pacific Bit. M. B. STATES Chlrdpnuttr Rooms 5. 6, 7 Building & Loan Bldj Office Phono 70 Res. Phone 1242 John - S. Twinem, M. D. (Homeopath) Mediolne, surgery aad ebitetrles North PUHe, Nefcr. (Drug room with drugs for aeutt and chronie diseases,) UNION PACIFIC TIMK TABLE... 5 Westbound No., 1 ... 4:45 p. re No. 3 ..... 1:45 a. in No. 7 4 :225 n. m m 'No. 11 2:04 p. No. 13 - - S:10 a. in. m. ta m m. N'o. 15 ... 12:40 a. So. 17 ..-..v.. 0:25 n. N'o. 19 .. 0:10 n. No. M .... .8:50 n. in. No. 26 7:00 p. m. DiKtbotmd No. .12: 20 p. in. , - " r ,,.. T 1"'Vb P No- 10 ... 2:25 p tn. in. tn m. in. m. .no. iz ; . 11 p. .N'o. 14 C:55 p 'o. 1G 8:55 a 'o IS ,1:15 p. ra No. 20 7:20 p. ra No. 54 10:10 p. m. No. 20 .' 5:40 a. m. FOR SiVIJE Choice lot of young Red Poll bulls at farmers prices at PAYNE'S DAIRY FARM $ 1 W. T. I'MTCIIAIil) , Graduate Veterinarian Ex-Governmont Veterinarian and ex isslstant' deputy State Veterinarian. IlSspltal 315 South Vine Street. Phones. Hospital 03R Rf-siilence 033 I) It. HAROLD FE NElt Osteopath Over Hirschfeld'B Office Phone 332 Res. Phone 1020 OTIS Ji. PLATT, Til. D. I'liyskiaii and Surgeon X-Rny Dlagnoss and Troain'ent Over Union State Bank Office Phono 29GW House Phono 2U6R ni'HHYHKKKV ti PO It liKN I.lrcntcil Kmbaliners Undertakers unit I'nneral Director Day Phone 41 NiRlit Phone Black hH JOHN S. SIMMS, 31. J). Sp'eclal Attention Glveii to Surgery McDonald Rank Building Office Phone 83 Residence 38 I) It. KEDFIETil) . .Physician, OhMctiicinu. Surireon X-ltny Calls promptly answered Night or Day Phones. Office 042 Residence 076 SHERIFF'S SALE By virtue of an order of sale Issued from tho District Court of Lincoln County, Nebr., upon n decree of fore closure rendered in said Court wherein David H. Corbett Is plaintiff, nnd W. L. Fristo, et al are defendants, and to me directed, I will on tho 9th day of December 1922, at 2 o'clock P. M at tho east front door of tho Court House In North Platte. Lincoln ! County, Nobraska sell tit Public Auc tion to tho highest bidder for cash, to satisfy said decree, Interest and costs, the following described proper ty, to-wit: 1 West hnlf of tho southwest quarter (Wof SW&) of section thirty-flvo (35) in township eleven (11) north of rango thirty-one (31) west of tho Cth P. M. Lincoln County, Nebraska. Dated North Platte, Nebr, Nov. 4, 1922. 1 A. J. SALISBURY, niieriff. Boelor, Crosby and Basklns, Attys. NOTICE TO CREDITORS I Estato No. 1913 of Robort A. Me I Knight deceased In tho county court of Lincoln county, Nobraska. I The State of Nebraska, ss: Credit ! ors of Bald estato will take notice that I the Wmo llmltod for presentation and Ming of claims against said estate is March 8th, 1923, and for settle ment of said estato 1b Norembor 3, 1923; that I will sit at tho county court room In said county on Decem ber 8 1933, at 10 o'clock a. m. and on March 8, 1923 at 10 o'clock a. m. to re cede, examine, hear, allow or adjust nJl claims and objections duly filed. Dated NoTomber 3, 1922. TTm. H. C. i WOODHURST, County Judge. Seal J. O. HoUman, Attorney NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate No. 1916 of William S, Depuy doeoasod tn tho County Court of Lin coln County, Nebraska, Tho State of Nebraska, ss: Credit ors of sai l estate will take notice that tho time limited for presentation and filing of claims ngalnst said Estate is March 12th, 1923, and for settlement of said Estato is Not. 7th, 1923; that I will sit at the eounty court room in said County on December 12th, 1932, at 10 o'clock a. m and on March 12th 1933 at 10 o'clock a, m., to recolTe, examine, hcor, allow, or adjust all claims and objections duly filed. Dated November 7th, 1922. "Vfin. II. C. WOODHURST, County Judge. Seal