Glacier County chief. [volume], February 18, 1938, Magazine Section, Image 6

About Glacier County chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1931-1940

Image provided by: Montana Historical Society; Helena, MT

                
Under Pressure
By George Agnew Chamberlain
CHAPTEB Xl-Ceatinaed
-13-
He glanced into Joyce's boudoir
and passed the open door of the
drawing room. Then he retraced his
steps and strolled to the opposite
comer only to behold more empti
ness. Abruptly he knew the truth
as certainly as it he had watched
Joyce lead Adan down the narrow
passage toward a certain spiral
stair. His heart contracted with
such violence it caused him to halt
in his tracks in more senses than
one. Where was he headed? Where
had he already arrived?
His deduction had been correct;
Joyce had taken Adan to the roof.
As they emerged into a translucence
which would have been blinding had
it not been dimmed by the impalpa
ble golden dust of the night she
turned toward her companion with
caught breath. His face was amia
ble and alive but ■ apparently his
open eyes were blind. She felt dis
may and then an impulse to laugh
aloud at herself. She restrained it,
aided by a feeling of sadness. The
impassivity of his expression dum
founded her. Was it credible he
saw neither moon nor stars nor that
distant double torch of snow rising
against the pale blue of heaven?
Rather hopelessly she led the way
to the parapet and sat down, sensing
a drag as if he followed unwillingly.
Last night she had shivered and
Dirk had put his coat around her
shoulders; tonight it was Adan who
quivered to the cold but she had no
wrap to lend him. Since he was
far more warmly dressed than she
it seemed the cold which affected
him must come from within him
self. He was silent; not morose
just silent and suffering. If he saw
the moon, the stars and the Nevado
at all, it was with a calculating and
compressing eye that strove to di
minish grandeur to the size of a
stage backdrop for future reference.
He was theater, he was city, and
he was Latin; furthermore such
nights as this, with snow-capped
Popo added to the Sleeping Woman
for extra measure, were the every
day chili-con-came of his existence.
He made a movement toward his
breast pocket. At least they could
talk, thought Joyce; she must say
something—must, must! She turned
her head and felt her jaw drop loose.
Adan was knotting his silk handker
chief at the back of his neck, arrang
ing it in such a manner as to mask
nose and mouth against the perils
of the night air.
Joyce almost choked. “You don’t
like it here, do you?” she managed
to murmur.
“Oh, yes, I do," replied Adan in
muffled tones. “Much better than
when Pepe ran the place.”
Again Joyce caught her breath.
“That’s so,” she said presently,
“you visited him, didn't you?”
“Once.” .
“What was it? A shooting party?”
“Oh, no — a roughhouse. We
brought down a carload of girls and
two carloads of men. Don't let’s
talk about it.” Abruptly his voice
turned pleading. “Let’s go down to
the piano. I want to play for you—
play for you like last night.”
She rose with a sense of relief
and escape to which were added
several more poignant emotions—
chagrin, self-pity, disappointment,
to name only three, and a sort of
confused dismay composed of anger
at herself, and at the world in gen
eral and Dirk in particular. What
had he to do with it? Nothing. That
was why she was angry at him and
somehow it seemed a perfectly good
mason. As she hurried along the
balcony, heading for the drawing
room, she saw him leaning on the
rail, his face lifted toward the vis
ible patch of sky.
“Adan is going to play,” she said
crisply. “Want to come along?"
"Nd, thanks," said Dirk even
more curtly, “I'm going to bed.”
Under her urging Adan played
only boisterous music — rollicking
marches, rumbas and a galloping
paaso lihro and when hs triad to
slip into a languorous tango or a
dreamy traits she broke in with a
cry; "No, nol something fast, fast
sr something joUy.” Sho was
studying him, measuring him by his
own standard, yet giving him no
chance to practice the whole at
chaoey of hie art. Ha could have.
Ms piano but nothing mom. Sitting
thsra, with his agile fingers dying
over the keys, he bosoms rendable,
etear te her apse. He was hand
ameer >ee^totorad, shrewd, kind.
bwdMamwMSmT^ito^MMiX
Senft She me tonight," he
^■K^Ag^ g'An, ’ASm," atom
m^g>ynh amgm I So-What
stirred his senses as he continued,
“It’s different tonight. You ask for
silly, meaningless music — music
with no soul. You don't come with
me. You stand to one side to see
how fast I can run up and down
the piano without losing my breath.
No; I won’t play any more. I’m a
man, not a whippet chasing an elec
tric rabbit for you to laugh. Good
night, senorita. You are very beau
tiful, but this evening you happen
not to be a woman.”
CHAPTEB XII
The bullet which passed through
Dorado’s leg and traversed the
heart of his horse was steel-jacket
ed; had it been soft-nosed the wound
would have been serious, possibly
fatal. The heavy-set general suf
fered far more from the shock of
his fall than by reason of the hole
through his thigh, nevertheless he
considered his condition grave
enough to appeal to Blackadder for
advice and aid. He released him
from the batea and installed him
as nurse—a change equivalent to
a transfer from one galley bench th
another since, needless to say, Pepe
was in the vilest of tempers.
Blackadder had often been called
upon to act as surgeon in far more
desperate cases amid surroundings
fully as primitive. He procured a
■
“That’s It,” BaM Blackadder.
couple of cotton jumpers, soft and
ragged with wear, requisitioned a
precious bar of soap and washed
them out with his own hands. Then
he boiled a kettle of water, tossed
in a handful of salt and was ready.
With a mighty grip he pressed the
wound both ways from the inside
out until the blood showed bright
and clear of impurities. He took
surly satisfaction in Dorado’s howls
of pain and a subsequent torrent of
imprecations as the outlets were
bathed with hot brine and then
bandaged. Almost hourly thereafter
the patient would insist on having
the dressing removed. With plenty of
salt water on hand Blackadder felt,
no fear of infection but resented
such frequent interruption since he
was busy with affairs of his own.
Keeping his ears and eyes wide
open, a single day sufficed to give
him an accurate idea of the layout
of the camp; since nobody thought
he knew Spanish all talked freely in
his presence. It wss situated at
the northeastern extremity at the
barrsnea where the chasm pinched
out against sheer cliffs at whose feet
burbled the spring which supplied
the brook with water. At night all
the so-called miners—nothing but
enslaved peons picked up at random
—were herded into the depths of ths
two drifts opposite the one occupied
by Dorado and himself. The riders
then spread their petates in the airy
entrances, forming a solid layer of
bodies over which a fugitive would
have to By like a bat to escape. In
addition two men with shotguns
stood guard day and night at the
right-angle turn downstream.
So much for the exterior; by
night, when sleep seemed to have a
fair hold on hie patient, Blackadder
would slip away lor subterranean
expiration. Darkness wee his
greatest handicap. Matahas wore
scarce, candles there waMk mro nor
ggJgyXps'ififrs it X SMM
ISaXa^Sifteb^iSaiMiiil'
Sadmr^OMt^^S^eM^Mu'wSL
hewn timbers, hs knew the daily
washings of gold were stored. The
other two were open to such air as
was available and matted heaps of
hay showed they had been used as
habitations. What interested him
most, however, was the shaft he had
surmised must exist.. He found it
on his third excursion and to his de
light discovered it was not vertical
but ascended at a slant, allowing
whoever had sunk it had lacked a
mechanical hoist. No doubt it was
cluttered with debris, but where
men had once passed a man could
pass again. Here was a road to
freedom, ready-made, but reflection
forced him to admit it could lead
only to recapture or starvation in
the desert; without a horse waiting
at the exit it was useless.
He reverted to the idea which had
developed in a flash to the size of a
full-grown oak—trade La Barranca
for possession of Joyce. He had no
illusions as to ths cash value of the
hacienda. Discovery of the bootleg
gold diggings might have impressed
a novice, but not an old-timer who
happened to know Mexican law es
tablisheg the subaoil as the inalien
able property of the state. Aware
of the general situation as well, he
was convinced tragic trouble and
no conceivable gain would be
Joyce’s inevitable lot should he fail
in his intention to rescue her, will
ing or unwilling. Dorado himself
gave an opening.
“Bueno, cabron, it is now the
third day and you write no letter.
Tomorrow I think perhaps I send
one finger.”
“Listen, Dorado,” said Blackad
der, “you and I have seen a lot
of each other and we ought to be
able to talk straight from the shoul
der. You occupied La Barranca for
several years. Wouldn’t you like to
lay your hands on it again?”
Dorado straightened too suddenly,
groaned and settled back.
“Go on,” he ordered. “You talk,
I listen, then I tell you.”
“You know who threw you out,
don’t you?”
“That Pancho Buenaventura,"
cried Dorado, turning purple, "and
his butcher-boss, General Onelia.”
“No, no,” said Blackadder impa
tiently. “Didn't you see a girl?
Don’t you know anything about
her?”
“Girl?” repeated Dorado, his eyes
suddenly wide. "Yes, I see one
girl. Verry nice girl.. Who is she?”
“The daughter of Cutler Sewell,
the man from whom you stole the
hacienda. He's dead and she owns
it.”
“Me, steal!” cried Dorado, en
raged. “Pepe Dorado steal! No,
no. That gringo, he abandon La
Barranca.”
“Just so,” said Blackadder, "ex
actly the way you abandoned it live
or six days ago, exactly the way the
present tenant might be urged into
abandoning it again. Get it, or do
you want half an hour to think the
thing out?”
“Si, si," murmured Dorado
thoughtfully. “You tell me some
more now." #
"Here it is—the whole thing in a
nutshell. I lied when I said I don't
speak Spanish and again about be
ing a prospector. I’m Miss Joyce
Sewell’s guardian acting for her
stepmother. We don't want her to
stay at La Barranca at any price.
When you held me up you did your
self a bad turn because I was on
my way to drag her out. If you
want the place, help me do it now."
“How?"
“Give me a horse. Send guards
to watch me all the way into the
hacienda."
“Then what?"
"Sooner or later I’ll snake the
girl out and La Barranca will be
once more abandoned and at your
mercy. The only thing that stumps
me is how to gel away to Toluca
Word “On” Is Frequently Mispronounced;
“Again” Next in Order for Carelessness
What common words do we Amer
icans mispronounce? The office of
education has helped to compile a
list of the dozen words in common
use that are most abused.
Strange as it may seem, the two
latter word "on” is the most fre
quently misused word on the list.
You might think that almart anyone
could pronounce thio preposition
correctly, but thousands say ”un”
or ’W and the word is juet about
number one in the battered Amer
ican voitobnlaqr, obeerves a Wash
tegteu United Prows conoopondont>
Number two Ie “asate." Folk hi
mg. WWWMbs to pro
■ Mama M Hee aosnethtag Ml over
Mix as **a«iMJ* er Stop ater Hart*.
Mm^**** TW " uiiirt,
.qXMBpS wBwJWHWP>.
and from there to Mexico City.” He
paused. “Of course, if you should
try any double-crossing in the way
of holding us both for ransom you’d
lose the hacienda- in the end and
perhape your life."
Dorado thought for a long time,
his eyes half closed lest Blackadder
read his mind. What fools these
gringos were—they still believed in
honor among thieves! He pictured
first La Barranca, most desirable of
all haciendas as far as he was con
cerned, then Joyce whom two
flashes had revealed to be as lovely
a girl as he had ever seen. At the
moment he honestly believed be
could be happy with either as long
as he lived—but with both? Mere
anticipation caused moisture to
gather at the comers of his loose
mouth.
“In exchange for freedom and the
senorita,” he announced finally,
“you make offer of La Barranca.
So?”
“That’s it,” said Blackadder.
“I accept. The matter of your
escape to Mexico City is not difficult
to arrange. Near the hacienda there
is a rope bridge which saves many
miles. I have a car in Toluca; I
shall send for it and hide it by night
in an arroyo. I’ll have horses at
the bridge when you arrive with the
senorita and I myself will be there
to wish you both godspeed. It re
mains only to agree on a signal an
nouncing you are ready.”
“That’s the trouble,” said Black
adder, scowling. "How do I know
just when I’ll be ready since I may
have to carry the girl out against
her will?”
“So?” murmured Dorado curious
ly. “But let’s not worry over such
small difficulties. The moon is in
its third quarter; before it rises
there are two hours of darkness.
When do you wish to start?"
“Today. Now.”
"Bueno. Tomorrow night, and
the next, and the night after that,
I shall spend the two hours imme
diately preceding the rising of the
moon at the bridge—on the north
side. Be careful how you cross it."
“I know all about rope bridges,"
said Blackadder. "What about your
leg?"
“You are a good doctor. It is
quite nearly well. Today I can walk.
I will show you; I shall go now to
choose your horse and give orders.”
Blackadder took advantage of his
absence to descend to the brook as
though to wash his hands but in
reality to recover his passport and
wallet. Half an hour later, accom
panied by three guards armed with
carbines, he was riding downstream
toward the switchback path which
had caused him such agony a few
days before. Since it was the only
exit from the barranca through all
its length they were obliged, once
the level of the prairie was reached,
to ride all the way back around the
camp before starting down the oth
er side. Before they made the turn,
however, he noticed a peculiar de
pression masked by a patch of
thorny acacias. Deliberately he
passed to windward of it and caught
a faint odor of smoke; so, he
thought, had he risked the shaft
here is where he would have come
out.
But that was not to be his only
discovery. An hour later, chancing
to glance across the barranca, he
saw a sight that first puzzled, then
amazed him. Three lorries were
wending their way over the plain
from the general direction of Tolu
ca. That In itself was not surpris
ing; what astonished him was their
freight—each was loaded with a
howitzer. At first he had thought
they were boilers; but no, there
was no doubt about it, they were
howitzers. Ho questioned the men
but got only shrugs for his pains and
a little farther on they camo to a
halt.
(TO BE CONTINUED)
the first form given in the diction
ary is the preferred one.
All these words are supposed to be
In the vocabulary of a person who
knows at least 1,000 words. This
fact is based on numerous studies
of the frequency with which words
are used in speech, in newspapers,
In magazines, in books and on the
air waves.
Of course, other words may be
mispronounced a higher porcontago
of times, but ouch words belong to
the higher levels of personal vncab
ulariee that include more than 1,000
words.
For example, here are a few stick
lers fee your tongue It you have a
vooahnlery naming up to MOO
words:
Idtaraturo, mdraordlaary, obvm
fe*fe< fenan, detail, nenes, route
Can Spring Be Far Away?
JR ■
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In In 1 17 J
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I^so hTr* LUA 1312 I L
XI7ITH Winter almost over,
’ ~ March blizzards to. the con
trary notwithstanding, you find
yourself eyeing the fashion sheets
a little more than casually. In
deed you probably already have
your needle threaded, just waiting
for some nice Spring patterns to
make your acquaintance. And
here they are, three quick tricks,
each pleasantly awaiting your
choice, each designed to make
some wardrobe happy. Which do
you prefer?
Fitted Bodlee.
Look your Sunday best in this
graceful afternoon frock with its
snug and softly shirred waistline.
The skirt flares slightly to the
front and emphasizes the slimness
of the silhouette. Note the saddle
shoulder and short, puffed sleeves
—details that are unusually be
coming and make for distinction.
One of the new widely spaced flow
er patterns in rayon or silk will
make your informal afternoons
and evening a double delight, and
the pattern is a particular joy to
work with. So simple, and so
pleasing.
Trim Morning Froek.
Don’t be caught around the
house without your best foot for
ward. You needn’t be, with this
crisp and flattering morning frock
at your beck and call. Simple
as pie, yet charming fresh and
youthful, this model dispenses
with all fussy details yet achieves
an appearance which will see you
through the busiest day. The skirt
flares a bit from a neatly fitted
waistline, and the ric-rac trim,
in contrast, adds a note of bright
ness. Just nine pieces including
the belt and pockets. Try dot
ted swiss or a printed percale.
For the Fall Figaro.
This charming frock is really
more than a house frock—you’ll
find it flattering enough and
dressy enough to wear through
out the day. The slim, straight
lines make every provision for
comfort. The skirt has a kick
pleat at front, the sleeves are full
and pleated, and the neck line
is just right to be very flattering.
Furthermore you can make this
dress, of a rayon print or gay
of ikt
J
For Washington's Birthday.
FEBRUARY 22 would not be
1 completely celebrated if cher
ries were not featured in some
way during the day. It is true
that the story of the cherry tree
and George Washington is more
closely connected in the memory
of many of us than his great
prowess as the Father of our Coun
try. We seem to take for granted
his ability as a leader and talk
about the cherry tree episode of
his youth.
Thia recipe for cherry pie la
made to use the entire contents
of a No. 1 can of cherries, which
holds IK cupfuls.
Chany Pte.
* £d Sour Chantm > atarS7 MM
0 IbMbBWOBOB BMSSf ^ooo^ooo BBM
I tßitißßW®®® Imttßf
Une an 8-lnch pie pan with
pantry. Drain the cherries from
the juice and place them to the
psotty shell. Mte loft^hsr sugar•
cornstarch and salt •id sprinkle
sows ths chsrriss. Pour on the
ertfeajfe wM
Iz’r.r, ’•,**! '?)
percale, in a brief afternoon
evening, resulting in a pret
runaround model at far less th
you usually spend.
The Patterns.
Pattern 1450 is designed I
sizes 12 to 20 (31 to 38 bust). S
14 (32) requires 3% yards of
inch material with short slew
Fourteen inch zipper required!
front closing.
Pattern 1312 is designed I
sizes 14 to 44 (32 to 44 bust). S
18 (34) requires 3% yards of
inch fabric; 1% yards braid t
quired for trimming.
Pattern 1444 is designed I
sizes 36 to 52. Size 38 require*!
yards at 36 or 39 inch materii
H yard required for revers fad
in contrast Bow requires >4 ys
ribbon.
Send your order to The Sewi
Circle Pattern Dept., Room II
211 W. Wacker Dr., Chicago, I
Price of patterns, 15 cents (
coins) each.
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■•IKS II 1 WAH
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qtega^ twtea. Tteß f
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iaateaMr. \ V
All it usually eosts to relieve th |
misery of a cold today—is 31 to*j
— rebel for the period of your cd* i
15# to 25#. Hence no family ne«i
negtect even minor bead colds.
Here ia what to do: Take te*
BAYER tablets when you fed*
cold eoming oa — with a full gl*
of water. Then repeat if ne/u ssan.
according to directions in ert
package. Relief comes repidly.
The Bayer method of relievW
colds is the way many doctor* F
prove. You take Bayer Aspiria w
relief — then if you an not W
|>*WH>d ^promptly, you call u*|
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