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SATURDAY, JULY 4. - The Land of Broken Promises A Stirring Story of the Mexican Revolution A story of border Mexico, vivid, Intense, such as haß never before been written, is this one of Ameri can adventurers into the land of manana. Texan, mining engineer, Spanish senor and senorita, peon, Indian, crowd Its chapters with clear-cut word pictures of busi ness, adventure and love, against a somber background of wretched armies marching and counter marching across a land racked by revolution and without a savior. (Continued from Wednesday). Why—what is it?” she cried. Then, as he spoke again and backed away, she remembered him with a smile. ‘KJh,” she said, "is it time to get up? Where are we, anyway?” “About ten miles from Fortuna,” an swered Hooker soberly. “Too close — we ought to be over that divide.” He pointed ahead to where the val ley narrowed and passed between two How to Waken Her, Even That Was a Question. hills, and Gracia sat up, binding back her hair that had fallen from its place. “Yes, yes!” she said resolutely. “We must go on—but why do you look at me so strangely?” "Don’t know,” mumbled Bud. "Didn’t know I was. Say, let me get them sad dle-blankets, will you?” He went about his work with em barrassed swiftness, eiapping on sad dles and bridles, coiling up ropes, and offering her his hand to mount. When he looked at her again it was not strangely. “Hope you can ride,” he said. "We got to get over that pass before any body else makes it—after that we can take a rest.” "As fast as you please.” she an swered steadily. “Don’t think about me. But what will happen if —they get there first?” She was looking at him now as he searched out the trail ahead, but he pretended not to hear. One man in that pass was as good as a hundred, and there were only two things he could do—shoot his way through, or turn back. He believed she would, not want to turn back. CHAPTER XXV. Though the times had turned to war, ell nature that morning was at peace, and they rode through a valley of flow ers like knight and lady in a pageant The rich grass rose knee-deep along the hillsides, the desert trees were flligreed with the tenderest green and twined with morning-glories, and In open glades the poppies and sand verbenas spread forth masses of blue and gold. Already on the mesqult-trees the mocking-birds were singing, and bright Bashes of tropical color showed where cardinal and yellow-throat passed. The dew was still untouched upon the grass, arid yet they hurried on, for some premonition whispered to them of evil, and they thought only to gain the far pass. Beyond that lay comparative safety, but no man knew what dangers -lurked between them and that cleft In the mountains. Del Rey and his rurales or Bravo and bis rebels might be there. In fact, one or the other prob ably was there, and If so there would be a fight, a fight against heavy odds if he were alone, and odds that would be greatly Increased because he must protect Gracia. To the west and north rose the high and impassable mountain which had barred their way in the night; across the valley the flat-topped Fortunas threw their bulwark against the dawn; and all behind was broken hills and gulches, any one o 1 which might glvp up armed men. Far ahead,” like a knife-gash between the ridges, lay the pass to the northern plains, and as their trail swung out into the open they put spurs to their horses and galloped. Once through that gap, the upper country would lie before them and they could pick and choose. Now they must depend upon speed and the chance that their way was not blocked. Somewhere in those hills to the east Bernardo Bravo and his men were hidden. Or perhaps they were scat tered, turned by their one defeat into roving bandits or vengeful partizans, laying waste the Sonoran ranches as they fought their way back to Chihua hua. There were a hundred evil chances that might befall the fugitives, and while Bud scanned the countrj ahead Gracia cast anxious glances be hind. "They are coming!" she cried at last, as a moving spot appeared in the rear. "Oh, there they are!” "Good!" breathed Hooker, as he rose in his stirrups and looked. “Why, good?” she demanded, cu riously. “They’s only three of ’em,” answered Bud. "I was afraid they might be in front,” he explained, as she gazed at him with a puzzled smile. “Yes,” she said; “but what will you do if they catch us?” “They won’t catch us,” replied Hook er confidently. “Not while I've got my rifle. Aha!” he exclaimed, still look ing back, “now we know all about it — that sorrel is Manuel del Rey's!” “And will you kill him?" challenged Gracia, rousing suddenly at the name. Hooker pretended not to hear. In stead, he cocked his eye up at the eastern mountain, whence from time to time came muffled rifle-shots, and turned his horse to go. There was trouble over there to the east some where—Alvarez and his Yaquis, still harrying the retreating rebels —and some of it might come their way. With Rel Rey behind them, even though in sight, he was the least of their troubles, and could be easily cared for with a rifle shot if they could not distance him. Hooker knew that the two rurales with him would not continue the pursuit if their lead er was out of the way, so that it would not be necessary to injure more than one man. "Ah, how I hate that man!” raged Gracia, spurring her horse as she scowled back at the galloping Del Rey and his men who were riding on ward rapidly. “Ail right,” observed Bud with a quizzical smile, “I’ll have to kill him for you then!” She gazed at him a moment with eyes that were big with questioning, but the expression on his rugged face baffled her. “I would not forget it,” she cried im pulsively. “No, after all I have suf fered, I think I could love the man who would meet him face to face! But why do you—ah!” she cried, with a sddden tragic bitterness. “You smile! You have no thought for me —you care nothing that lam afraid of him! Ah, Dios, for a man who is brave —to rid me of this devil!” "Never mind!” returned Bud, his voice thick with rising anger. ”If I kill him it won't be for you!” He jumped Copper Bottom ahead to avoid her, for in that moment she had touched his pride. Yes, she had done more than that —she had de stroyed a dream he had, a dream of a beautiful woman, always gentle, al ways noble, whom he had sworn to protect with his life. Did she think he was a pelado Mexican, a hot-coun try lover, to be inflamed by a glance and a smile? Then Phil could have her, and welcome. Her tirade had lessened his burden. Now his fight was but a duty to Ills pardner in the performance of which he would be no less careful, but to turn her over to Phil would not now be painful. "Ah, Bud!” she appealed, spurring up beside bim, "you did not under stand! I know you are brave —and if he comes” she struck her pistol fiercely—"l will kill him myself!" “Never mind,” answered Bud In a kinder voice. ‘Til take care of you. •Test keep your horse In the trail,” he added, as she rode on through the brush, “and I'll take care of Del Rey.” He beckoned her back with a Jerk of the head and resumed his place In the lead. Here was no place to talk about men and motives. The moun tain above was swarming with rebels, there were rurales spurring behind— yes, even now, far up on the eastern hillside, he could see armed men —and now one was running to Intercept them! Bud reached for his rifle, Jerked up a cartridge, and sat crosswise In his saddle. He rode warily, watching the distant runner, until suddenly he pulled In his horse and threw up a welcom ing hand. The man was Amigo—no other could come down s hillside so swiftly—and he was signaling him to wait. "Who Is that man?” asked Gracia, as she reined in at his side. "Do you kupw hlm.HI. Author of “THE FIGHTING FOOL,” “HIDDEN WATERS," “THE TEXICAN," Etc. Illustrations by DON J. LAVIN (Copyright, 1914, by Frank A. Munsey.l V “Sure do!” responded Hooker Jovi ally. “He’s the best friend I got in Mexico! “Kai, Amigo!!’ he hailed, as the Yaqul came quartering down the hill, and, apparently oblivious of the on coming pursuers, he rode out of the trail to meet him. They shook hands and Amigo flashed his familiar smile, glancing shyly over the horse’s hack at the daughter of the Aragons. “I knew the horse,” he explained, with a gentle caress for Copper Bot tom. “My people—up there —kill Mex icans! Where you go?” “North —to the line,” answered Bud, pointing up the pass. “Muy malo!” frowned the Yaqul, glancing once more at the woman be hind. “Muchos revoltosos!” “Where?” asked Bud. "Everywhere!” replied Amigo with a comprehensive wave of the hand. “But no matter,” he added simply. “I will go with you. Who are these horsemen behind?” "Rurales!” responded Hooker, and the Yaqui’s black eyes dilated. “Yes,” nodded Bud as he read the swift question in their glance. "He is there, too—Del Rey!” “Que bueno!” exclaimed the Indian, fixing his eagle glance upon the riders. He showed his white teeth in a smile. In an instant he saw his opportunity, he saw his enemy riding into a trap, and turned his face to the pass. What Amigo had waited for, the op portunity he had watched for, was at hand. Del Rey should pay the price of that scar the Yaqul carried. Not again would the bullet go astray, and his people should have one less Mexican to fight after that day. The hatred of generations lay behind the thoughts of the Indian. He cared nothing for the grievance of the girl, and he would not kill Del Rey for that, but for his own reasons. "Come!” he said, laying hold of a latigo strap, and as Hooker loped on up the steady incline he ran along at his stirrup. In his right, hand he still carried the heavy Mauser, but his sandaled feet bore him forward with tireless strides and only the heaving of his mighty chest told the story of the pace. "Let me take your gun,” suggested Hooker, as they set off on their race, but Amigo in his warrior's pride only shook his head and motioned him on and on. So at last they gained the rugged Fummit, where the granite ribs of the mountain crop up through the sands of the wash and the valley slopes away to the north. To the south was Del Rey, still riding after them, but Amigo beckoned Ilud beyond the reef and looked out to the north. "Revoltosos!” he exclaimed, point ing a sun-blackened hand at a distant ridge. "Revoltosos!” he said again, waving his hand to the east. “Here,” waving toward the west, "no!” “Do you know that country?” In quired Hooker, nodding at the great plain with its chains of parallel Bier> ras, but the Indian shook his head. "No,” he said; "but the best way is straight for that pass.” He pointed at a distant wedge cut down between the blue of two ridges, and scanned the eastern hills intently. "Men!” he cried, suddenly Indicat ing the sky-line of the topmost ridge. “I think they are revoltosos,” he added gravely. ‘‘They will soon cross your trail.” “No difference,” answered Bud with a smile. "I am not afraid —not with you here, Amigo.” “No, but the woman!” auggeated Amigo, who read no Jest in his words. “It is better that you should ride on —and leave me here.” He smiled encouragingly, hut a wild light was creeping into hlB eyes and Hooker knew what he meant. He de sired to be left alone, to deal with Del Rey after the sure manner of the Yaquls. And yet, why not? Hooker gazed thoughtfully at the oncoming rurales and walked swiftly back to Gracia. "This Indian is a friend of mine,” he said, “and I can trust him. He rays It will be better for us to ride on —and be will take care of the rurales.” “Take care?” questioned Gracia, turning pale at a peculiar matter-of fact tone in his voice. “Sure,” said Hooker; "he says there are revoltosos ahead. It will be bet ter for you, he says, to ride on.” “Madre do Dios!” breathed Gracia, clutching at her saddle; and then she nodded her head weakly. "You better get down for a minute,” suggested Hooker, helping ber quick ly to the ground. "Here, drink some water—you’re kinder faint. I’ll be right back —Jest want to say good-by.” He strode over to whore Amigo had posted himself behind a rock and laid a hand on his arm. "Adlos, Amigo!” he said, but the Yaqul only glanced at him strangely. "Anything In my camp, you're wel come to It,” added Hooker, but Amigo did not respond. His black eyes, fan seeing as a hawk’s, were fixed Intently before him, where Del Rey came gal loping in the lead. ‘You go jqjld, speaking HE AUGUSTA HERALD. AUGUSTA. GA. By DANE COOLIDGE The Heavy Mauser Spoke Out—One Shot! with an effort, and Hooker understood. There was no love, no hate loft In that mighty carcass—he was all warrior, all Yaqul, and he wanted Del Rey to himself. ’’We’ll be going,” Hooker said to Gracia, returning swiftly, and his sub dued tones made her start. She felt, as one feels at a funeral, the hovering wings of death, yet she vaulted Into her saddle and left her thoughts un said. They rode on down the valley, spur ring yet holding back, and then with a roar that made them Jump the heavy Mauser spoke out —one shot! And no more. There was a bush, _a long wait, and Amigo rose slowly from befifrij his rock. "God!” exclaimed Hooker, as ha caught, the pose, and his voice sound ed a requiem for Manuel del Rey. Then, as Gracia crossed herself and fell to sobbing, he leaned forward in his saddle and they galloped away. CHAPTER XXVI. Though men may make a Jest of It In books, it is a solemn thing to kill n man, oven to be near when one is killed. If Gracia had slain Del Rey herself in a passion her hot blood might, have buoyed her up, but now her whole nature was convulsed with the horror of it and she wilted like a flower. An hour before she had burned with hatred of him, she had wished him dead and sought the man who would kill him. Now that his life had been snipped off between two heartbeats she remembered him with pity and muttered a prayer for his soul. For Hooker, for De Laneey she had no thought, but only for the dashing young captain who had follow-ed her to his death. Of this Bud had no knowledge. He realized only that, she was growing weaker, and that he must call a halt, and at last, when the walls of their pass had widened and they rode out into the open plain, he turned aside from the trail and drew rein by a clump of mesquit. "Here, let me take you,” he said, as she swayed uncertainly in the sad dle. She slid down into his arms and he laid her gently In the shade. "Poor girl," ho muttered, "It’s been too much for you. I’ll get some water, and pretty soon you can eat.” He unslung the canteen front his ■addle-flap, gave her a drink, and left her to herself, glancing swiftly along the horizon as he tied out their mounts to graze. But for her faintness he would have pushed on farther, for he had seen men off to the east; but hun ger and excitement had told upon hor even more than the day-and-night ride. For a woman, and sitting a side-sad die, she had done better than he had hoped; and yet—well, it was a long way to the border and ho doubted if she could make It. She lay still In the shade of the mesquit, just as he had placed her, and whon he brought the sack of food she did not raise her head. "Better eat something,” ho sug gested, spreading out some bread and dried beef. “Here’s some oranges I got from Don Juan —I’ll JUBt put them over hero for you." Gracia shuddered, sighing wearily. Then, as If his words had hurt her, BROKEN BUBBLES she covered her face and wept. "What did you tell that man?*’ she asked at last. "W’y—what man?” Inquired Hook er, astonished. “Ain’t you going to eat?" “No!” she cried, gazing out at him through her tears, “not until I know what you said. Did you tell that In dian to —to kill him?" She broke down suddenly in a fit of sobbing, and Hooker wiped his brow. ‘‘W’y, no!” he protested. “Sure not! What made you think that?” "Why—you rode over und spoke to him—and ho looked at me—and then — he —killed him!” She gave way to a paroxysm of grief at this, and Bud looked around him wondering. That she was weak am! hungry he knew, but what, was this she was saying? "I reckon I don't understand what you're driving at,” he said at last "Wish you’d eat something—you'll feel better.” "No, I won’t eat!" she declared, sii ting up and frowning. “Mr. Hooker,” she went on very miserably, “what did you mean this morning when you laughed! I said I bated poor Manuel • —and you said —well, what you did - and you laughed! Did you think- oh you couldn't have —that I really want cd him killed?” "W’y, sure not!” cried Hooker heartily. "I knowed you was fooling! Didn't 1 laugh at you? Say, what kind of a feller do you think I am, anyway? D’ye think I'd get an Indian to do my killing?” "Oh, then didn't you?” she cried, suddenly brightening up. "You know, you Jalk so rough sometimes —and I never do know what you mean! You said you guessed you’d have to kill him for me, you know, and —oh, it was too awful! I must, he getting foolish, I’m so tired out, but —what did you I ill that Indian?" Bud glanced nt her sharply for a moment and then decided to humor iter. Perhaps, if lie could got her quieted, she would stop talking and begin to eat. "Ho asked me who was after us,” he . ill,’"and I told him it was Del Rey.” “Yes, and what did he say then?” "He didn't say nothing—Jest lined out for ttio pass.” "And didn't you say you wanted — him—killed?" "No!" burst out Bud, half angrily. "Haven't I told you once? I did not! That Indian had reasons of his own, lleve mo —he's got a scar along his ribs where Del Rey shot him with a . ix-shooter! Arid, furthermore,” lie added, as her face cleared at (his ex planation of the mystery, “you’d bettor tv to take me at my word for the rent of this trip! Looks to me like you've been associating with these Mexicans too much!” “Why, what do you mean?" she de manded curtly. "I mean this,” answered Hooker, "be ing as we’re on the subject again. Ever since I’ve knowed you you've been talking about brave men and all that; and more’n cnce you've hinted thaj I wasn’t brave because I wouldn't fight a “I’d just like to tell you, to pat your mind at rent, that my father was a sergeant in the Texas rangers and no hundred Mexicans was ever able to make him crawl. He served for ten years on the Texas border and never turned his back to''no man—let alone a Mex. I was brought up by him to be peaceable and quiet, but don’t you never think, because I run away from Manuel del Rey, that I was afraid to face him.” Ho paused and regarded her Intent ly, and hor eyes fell before his. “You must excuse me,” she said, looking wistfully away, ”1 did not—l did not understand. And so the poor Yaqul was only avenging an injury?” she went on, reaching out one slender hand toward the food "Ah, I can un derstand It now —he looked so savage and fierce. But"—she paused again, net back by a sudden thought—“didn’t you know he would kill him?" “Yes, ma’am,” answered Hooker quietly, "I did.” “Then--then why didn’t you—" “That, wns between them two,” he replied doggedly. "Del Rey shot him once when he was wounded and left him for dead. He must have killed some of his people, too; his wife meb be, for all I know. He never would talk about, it, but he come back to get bis revenge. I don’t shoot no man from cover myself, but that ain’t it— It was between them two.” "And you?” she suggested. ‘Tf you had fought Del Rey?” “I would have met him in the open,” said Hooker. “And yet—" "I didn't want to,” he ended bluntly. “Didn’t want to fight him and didn’t want to kill him. Had no call to. And then —well, there was you.” "Ah!" she breathed, and a flush mounted her pale cheeks. She smiled as she reached out once more for the food and Hooker resolved to do his best at gallantry, It seemed to malts her so happy. “So you were thinking of me," she challenged sweetly, “all the while? I thought perhaps I was a nuisance and In the way. I thought perhaps you did not like mo because—well, because I’m a Mex, as you say.” (To Be 0->ulinued Tomorrow.) FIVE