Motion Picture Story Magazine (Aug 1911-Jan 1912)

THE SENORITA'S CONQUEST 131 'er do them steps. Ain't she a picture?" The enthusiastic cattleman, quickly elbowing thru the crowd, reached the front of the cafe in a few strides. "Say, Susie," he roared, familiarly, "that's bully. You're all right. Give us some more." The dark eyes of Dolores stared for an instant and took in the situation at a glance. Then the lids drooped over them again, and she danced on, making plans the while for the overthrow of the despised sheriff. She did not resent the cowboy's familiarity. On the contrary, it only aided her in carrying out her scheme. "Stand aside there, boys! Let the cracker-jack sheriff of this part of the United States get into th' ring," yelled an enthusiastic supporter, as he propelled his esteemed superior forward into the heart of the merrymaking. ' ' Say, ' ' he whispered, ' ' she 's a peach, all right, ain't she?" Sheriff Duncan looked casually. Then he looked again, long and earnestly. Where had he seen such a face before? Then it slowly dawned upon him that the girl before him was the personified ideal of his imagination — the counterpart of one he had seen in his dreams all his life long. He watched her as she bent and swayed in time to the Spanish music, and wondered who she was. He determined to find out; to speak to her by herself; to learn, if possible, how such an irresistible affinity could have existed before they had ever met. Just then the large, brilliant eyes opened again and rested upon him. It was more than a gaze, it was a stare — an involuntary stare. There was no doubt now in Dolores' mind as to the identity of the sheriff. His coat was thrown back, and his badge of office glistened conspicuously. This, then, was the man she sought. But a strange and unaccountable tremor passed over her. She paused in her resolution. Her courage was ebbing away. The strong, clear-cut, honest face of the man with the badge made her loathe herself and despise her errand. His was a face before which deceit and duplicity could not stand. The frank, steady, smiling eyes looked back at her and seemed to pierce her thru and thru. She almost faltered in the dance. Then the music ceased, and she paused to rest and to pick up the money that was thrown to her. The tall, half-drunken cattleman lost no time. Swinging boldly over beside the girl, he attempted to embrace her. ' ' Set up th ' drinks, boys ! ' ' he shouted. "This gal's a friend of mine. She dont dance no more for the general public while I'm in town. Savvy? Come on, Susie," he continued, trying to pull her toward the door; "I'm goin' ter take you with me. ' ' Dolores was frightened now, and she gave one appealing look at the sheriff. The next instant the cattleman found himself looking into the muzzle of the sheriff's six-shooter. "This ain't your town, stranger," Sheriff Duncan remarked in a low voice. "Them manners of yours dont go here. I'm runnin' things in Guarez. When you talk to a lady here, you talk respectful or else git out. D'y understand ? ' ' The sheriff's star was still shining brightly. The tall cattleman understood. "Now, Miss, if you'll accept th' sheriff's company, I'll see you safely to yer home," continued Duncan, turning to Dolores. "That locoed stranger may be standin' 'round somewheres ready to bite again, an' you dont seem to hev no escort." Neither Dolores nor Duncan knew that Pedro was close at hand, an interested spectator of the little scene. But Dolores had changed her plan. Much to Pedro's rage and astonishment, she firmly refused the escort of the very man she had promised to take with her; and, much as he wished to accompany the girl — not only for his own happiness, but for her protection — he would not force his company upon her. Instead, he sighed and gratefully accepted the rose which she handed him, and permitted her to go