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THE SENO RITA'S CONQUEST
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gering thought that she was the cause of his captivity.
"I want you to know that I was forced to write that letter. "When you really believe me, then I want you to take this lariat and make your escape from the window, for Juan means to kill you. I will wait here in your place. In the morning you can come and arrest them all — except — except my father. You must let him escape."
"But to leave you here — while I go — never ! ' '
' ' You m u s t — you must, ' ' she breathed.
The sheriff drew a deep sigh of relief as his confidence in the integrity of the girl returned to him, and his whole b i g soul went out to her.
" I 've waited all my life for you, dear heart," he w h i s p e red. ' ' I know you now, and I'll never leave you again!"
1 ' But you must, now," she pleaded. " Go — for my sake ! It is the only way to save us both. You are the sheriff — you m ust do your duty. Fetch a
posse. I shall be safe — till you return. Go — do go quickly, or it will be too late."
"On one condition," he cried, in a hoarse whisper, as he drew her to his breast with passionate fervor. "You must marry me when I return, say no — will you, dear9"
"I am yours, love!" she "yours forever — but you must go, go quick, ere it is too late.
GO FOR MY SAKE
Dont
said ; fly—
" she
panted, in an agony of fear lest the guard awake and discover them.
Ten minutes later Ralph Duncan had lowered himself safely down the lariat to the ground, and was riding madly in the direction of Guarez.
Hours went by. Dolores waited and watched until the dawn appeared, straining her eyes and attuning her ears for the first sign of the return of her lover. She tried to calm her fears and prepare for the struggle ■ which she knew she would have to face.
At last the guard opened the door. Juan had ordered that his prisoner be brought before him. As the • astonished eyes of the guard peered into the roo m, they looked directly into the brilliant black orbs of Dolores.
"Did you want me, Pedro?"
The girl's voice was ominous in its calm.
Pedro made no reply. He backed out of the room with a howl of rage and quickly spread the news.
"Take her to the chief," was the cry; "let him deal with her.
And Dolores was dragged before the angry Juan.
She knew that now was the time for all her courage. She must keep steady and play for time. She knew that Duncan would not fail her. He could not be far off now. She faced Juan boldly.
"Give her to me," he thundered; "stand aside!"
SHE CRIED