Bucky O'Connor: A Tale of the Unfenced Border

s and gallant hearts. The rutted money-grabber may deny till he is a nerve-racked counting-machine, but youth, even to the end

ungeon they already found themselves in the heart of a web of intrigue, the stakes of which were so high as to carry life and death with them in the balance. But for them the sun shone brightly. It

overnment he had no objection to ingratiating himself with the opposition, providing it could be done without compromising himself openly. In other words, the warden was sitting on the fence waiting to see which way the cat would jump. If the insurgents proved the stronger party, he meant to throw up his hat and shout "Viva Valdez." On the other hand, if the govern

the courteous volubility of his nation, explaining with great gusto this and that detail of the work. Bucky gave him outwardly a deferent ear, but his alert mind and eyes

he was forced to ask Gabilonda plainly if he would not take him to see David Henderson, as he knew a man in

t looking up, when the door opened to let in the warden and his guests. But something in the ranger's steady gaze drew his e

to him?" as

and turned his back to them, in order not to see. It must be said for Gabilonda th

, are you not?" The rang

s. "That was my name," the man answ

nzie to get you out of

d. "Curse him, I'll take nothing from his hands. For fifteen y

ained. It was only last week that the my

irl I got myself into this place. If I had been in his shoes

me at once." Bucky glanced round warily at the fat colonel gazing placidly out of the barred wi

man he had been, but it did Bucky's heart good to see that the germ of life was still in him. Back in Arizona, on the Rocking Chair Ranch, with the free winds of the plains be

re calling the matter to the attention of the United States Government, but we are not going t

ndly word from his native land in fifteen years to the man buried alive touched the fount of his emotions. He turned away and leaned against the grating of his cell, his head resting on his fo

Gabilonda is coming back. Next time I see you it will be to t

een all he cares to of this department we wil

te too much your kindness in allowing

cherished deeply in my heart," came back the smil

so distinguished a soldier as Colonel Gabilonda," bowed Bucky gr

done, for the Arizonian, with a smile hidden deep behind the solemnity of his blue eyes, gave as good as he got. When he was at last

he was plumb tickled to death to have met me. Says I, comin

answered young Har

his friend

seemed very anxious to see you; said he would cal

entle knock, on the heels of which hi

nounced, and followed this declaration by locking all

s aching again, Reddy?" inq

here's the very divil

it out,

ody's leaked, or else he has a spy in our co

told you that his spy

a guard to bring them in safely to him. If he gets them, our

em! Is there a

forty men. If he sent more we would suspect what he was doing, ye see. That is the way the old fox reasoned. But forty-

of hundred men openly, and at

tion machinery and will have himself declared reelected, the old scamp, notwithstanding that he's the most unpopular man in the State. To precipitate trouble now would be just foolishness, he argues. So he'll just capture our arms, and after the election give me a

laughed

have a train hold-up. I'm the robber-in-chief. Would ye li

taking part in such an outrageous affair by international etiquett

him here I'll come around and collect

ide a pleasant ente

y band. A lively and enjoyable occasion guaranteed to all who attend. Your friend will me

nd accepts wi

spoke up. "You wouldn't go away with h

ith me, kid. I don't want my litt

oo. Supposing-if anything were to

y the next train. Th

I might say that I don't want YOU shot. You don't care anything about

ve got to give you one. Now, what would you think a square deal, Curly? Would it be square for me to let my friend O'Halloran stand a

o mix yourself up in his troubles. Why should you go

ty of the people from them. President Diaz can't interfere because the old rascal governor does everything with that smooth, oily way of his under cover of l

n't want to be left alone h

indifferent drawl. "Whyfor don't you want to stay

e long, thick lashes lifted and let the big brown eyes

appened along in the scrimmage and put

the reply that burst from the pretty lips, and he noticed

y, taking the small hand in his. "For reasons good. I'm fire-proof. The

e next injunction. The shy laugh rang like music. "That's why

were showing concern for him. "I've got several good reasons why I don't aim to get bumped off just ye

he gaze that fell before his st

away with a long breath. "Well, we better go out and g

en on the edge of some moment of intimacy that Bucky's partner both longed

to go, but I can't do it. I hate to disappoint you if you're set on

ause Frank looked so b

emand: "Tell me these heaps of first-rat

ll have to make another exception, Curly.

know them. And you promised you would tell me-

e anything happened you could open it and satisfy that robust curiosity of yours." He

m going to open the letter, anyway. The

are of myself to-night if you'll promise not to open the envelope for two

eek, and it'

again. That may be inside of three days, if

e letter when we cros

him and wished mightily that he had the right

f even on paper of those good and sufficient reasons. He made and destroyed no less than half a dozen openings before at last he was fairly off. Me

u take with it. Would you like me to come an

gized the scribe, wiping his bedewed brow, w

the time you give it, the resu

, or I'll never get done," i

y been an hour and a half on s

as very far indeed from being at his. Yet she ha

in him of late. There was an added respect in his manner for her. He never now invaded the room recognized as hers without a specific invitation, nor did he seem any longer to chafe at the little personal marks of fastidiousne

or two?" he presently asked, o

added demurely: "A

g rascal, what do you mean by bothering me like that? Act like t

n in the eyes opposite. Then voluntarily each gaze released the other in a confusion of sweet shame. For the beating of a lash, soul had looked into naked soul, all disguise stripped