Boy's Cinema (1930-31)

Every Tuesday recognised the tall figure of Francisco, and she came forward eagerly to greet him. "Oh, Francisco, how glad I am to see you again!" she whispered. "It may be for the last time, Rosita," replied the young man sadly, and the astonished girl suddenly noticed a long scar on Francisco's face, while his manner was imusually grave and stern. "Why, what is wrong?" she asked in alarm. "Have you been wounded?" "That is the sign of the estimation in which the Americans hold the best blood of Mexico," replied Francisco, in a low, stern voice. "One of Ihem struck you?" queried Rosita in horror. "Yes, with a whip, as though I were a. dog," said the young man quietly. "But I paid the debt. I've done enough to be an outlaw." "Oh. Francisco," gasped the girl faintly, "surely you don't mean it!" "It's true. I have suffered, and not only I. The Americans are cheating our ()eople in the north, taking their lands and goods. I've heard enough. I hoped tilings would be different, but now 1 shall be hunted." Rosita looked at him in speechless horror, for all her delightful dreams of a happy future were shattered by his words. "I'm not afraid, Rosita mia," cried Francisco, seeing the terror in her face, "and whatever happens—I love you." "But—but—I'll see you again. Promise me I shall see you again," stammered the girl. "Oh, Franci.=co, I can't bear it, for I love you, too." " If you want to see an outlaw, send for me and I will come," said the young man sadly, putting liis arms round the trembling girl. "And now—good-bye!'' With a last hurried embrace, ho was gone, and Rosita heard the hoof-beat> of his Jiorse die away in the distance. She tottered out of the chapel to hear B feeble voice calling her. "Rosita! What are you doing here. feOY'S CINEMA child?" said Don Mariano, coming up. "I thought I heard something," whis- pered Rosita, scarcely knowing what she said. "Francisco has been here," cried the old man wildly. "I didn't see him, but he left the money for the cattle on the table, and a note. Read it!" Rosita took the piece of paper and read aloud: "I cannot stand the changed condi- tions. I am going a*ay." 'I don't understand what it m'^ans." said Don Mariano in puzzled tone.*. "Did vou see him anvwhere about, Ro.-ita ?" The girl was by this time beyond the power of speech, but she nodded, and the old man questioned her eagerly. "Where was he going? What did he .say? I must know. Tell nic.'' Dolores came running out to see what was wrong, for the old don had raised his voice almost to a shout in his eager ncss, but Rosita burst into a storm oi fears, and for some minutes did not reply. ■• He told me that—oh, don't ask it'." .she gasped at length, and then she fainted in the arms of Dolores. Though Rosita would not say what dreadful message Francisco had given her. it was not Jong before Don Mariano and Dolores found out the truth. Xot one of the men who had accompanied Francisco to Spanisii Gulch came back to the ranch, and soon several of tire remaining range hands vanished mysteriously. From neigh- bouring ranches, too, some of the best men began to disappear, and strange rumours arose in tlie^ district. "Father." said Dolores one morning, " have you heard that the express ridci came into Los Angeles yesterday witli- out the mails? He was held up and robbed." "Yes," remarked Concha, the cook, who happened to overhear, "and the\ sav there's a bandit about who has sworn to avenge us on the gringos. He took a herd of cattle off that ranch Judge Travers stole from Don Juan, and he held up the stage-coach and made the gringos in it hand over theit money. Good luck to him, I say. And down with all gringos!" Don Mariano and Dolores looked at each other in horror, and when the cook had gone out they turned to Rosita, whose face had gone suddenly white. Her appearance was sufficient for the old don. "My son." he muttered thickly. "My son! A bandit!'' And from that day forward Don Mariano Delfino wa? a broken man. El Puma. JUDGE TRAVERS walked througli the street of the tiny settlement of Pueblo de los Angeles imtil he reached the Bella Union Hotel. At the door stood a knot of men, who saluted the judge as lie came up. "Is Mr. Howard here yet?" asked Travers. "He's waiting for you inside, judge." .said one of the men. "He's been look- ing round town this morning." "I'll tell him tliat before long we shall have a reg'lar town here,'' re- marked Travers. going in. He found David Howard in the hotel, and greeted him w.nrmly. "What have you been doing up north. Howard?" asked the judge presently. " I was acting as sheriff up at Spanish Gulch until I got orders to come hero to help you," replied Howard. "I'm sure glad you and I will be partners." said Travers. "I'm investi- gating title-deeds and rights of the Mexicans in these parts, and you're the man to lielp me. Howard." Travers got out a big map. and the two men studied it for some time, tin- judge pointing out to Howard the prin cipal ranches in the neighbourhood. "You might go out to the largest ranch this afternoon,'' said Travers. ■'Here it is—Rancho de los Coyotes. The owner is Don Delfino. Says he gol a deed of grant from the King of Spain, but ho ain't shown it to me. for he don't care much for me. He might show you. and we've got to know. It's a rich ranch, the best in those parts." 'Travers glanced at Howard's grave This is an outrage ," cried Harkness an- grily, as he stepped ^ down into the road. :'%^f.ie/ " You'll pay for this I" ©tlober I7tli, 19J1.-