"There's Mr.Byrne," she cried."It must have been he who brought the troops.""Why, he hasn't had time to reach the border yet,"remonstrated one of the Clark boys, "much less get back here with help.""There he is though," said Mr.Harding."It's certainly strange.I can't understand what American troops are doing across the border--especially under the present administration."The Pesitistas held their ground for but a moment then they wheeled and fled; but not before Pesita himself had forced his pony close to that of Billy Byrne.
"Traitor!" screamed the bandit."You shall die for this,"and fired point-blank at the American.
Billy felt a burning sensation in his already wounded left arm; but his right was still good.
"For poor, bleeding Mexico!" he cried, and put a bullet through Pesita's forehead.
Under escort of the men of the Thirteenth Cavalry who had pursued Villa's raiders into Mexico and upon whom Billy Byrne had stumbled by chance, the little party of fugitives came safely to United States soil, where all but one breathed sighs of heartfelt relief.
Bridge was given first aid by members of the hospital corps, who assured Billy that his friend would not die.Mr.Harding and Barbara were taken in by the wife of an officer, and it was at the quarters of the latter that Billy Byrne found her alone in the sitting-room.
The girl looked up as he entered, a sad smile upon her face.
She was about to ask him of his wound; but he gave her no opportunity.
"I've come for you," he said."I gave you up once when Ithought it was better for you to marry a man in your own class.I won't give you up again.You're mine--you're my girl, and I'm goin' to take you with me.Were goin' to Galveston as fast as we can, and from there we're goin' to Rio.You belonged to me long before Bridge saw you.He can't have you.Nobody can have you but me, and if anyone tries to keep me from taking you they'll get killed."He took a step nearer that brought him close to her.She did not shrink--only looked up into his face with wide eyes filled with wonder.He seized her roughly in his arms.
"You are my girl!" he cried hoarsely."Kiss me!""Wait!" she said."First tell me what you meant by saying that Bridge couldn't have me.I never knew that Bridge wanted me, and I certainly have never wanted Bridge.O Billy!
Why didn't you do this long ago? Months ago in New York Iwanted you to take me; but you left me to another man whom I didn't love.I thought you had ceased to care, Billy, and since we have been together here--since that night in the room back of the office--you have made me feel that I was nothing to you.Take me, Billy! Take me anywhere in the world that you go.I love you and I'll slave for you--anything just to be with you.""Barbara!" cried Billy Byrne, and then his voice was smothered by the pressure of warm, red lips against his own.
A half hour later Billy stepped out into the street to make his way to the railroad station that he might procure transportation for three to Galveston.Anthony Harding was going with them.He had listened to Barbara's pleas, and had finally volunteered to back Billy Byrne's flight from the jurisdiction of the law, or at least to a place where, under a new name, he could start life over again and live it as the son-in-law of old Anthony Harding should live.
Among the crowd viewing the havoc wrought by the raiders the previous night was a large man with a red face.It happened that he turned suddenly about as Billy Byrne was on the point of passing behind him.Both men started as recognition lighted their faces and he of the red face found himself looking down the barrel of a six-shooter.
"Put it up, Byrne," he admonished the other coolly."Ididn't know you were so good on the draw.""I'm good on the draw all right, Flannagan," said Billy, "and I ain't drawin' for amusement neither.I gotta chance to get away and live straight, and have a little happiness in life, and, Flannagan, the man who tries to crab my game is goin'
to get himself croaked.I'll never go back to stir alive.See?""Yep," said Flannagan, "I see; but I ain't tryin' to crab your game.I ain't down here after you this trip.Where you been, anyway, that you don't know the war's over? Why Coke Sheehan confessed a month ago that it was him that croaked Schneider, and the governor pardoned you about ten days ago.""You stringin' me?" asked Billy, a vicious glint in his eyes.
"On the level," Flannagan assured him."Wait, I gotta clippin' from the Trib in my clothes somewheres that gives all the dope."He drew some papers from his coat pocket and handed one to Billy.
"Turn your back and hold up your hands while I read,"said Byrne, and as Flannagan did as he was bid Billy unfolded the soiled bit of newspaper and read that which set him a-trembling with nervous excitement.
A moment later Detective Sergeant Flannagan ventured a rearward glance to note how Byrne was receiving the joyful tidings which the newspaper article contained.
"Well, I'll be!" ejaculated the sleuth, for Billy Byrne was already a hundred yards away and breaking all records in his dash for the sitting-room he had quitted but a few minutes before.
It was a happy and contented trio who took the train the following day on their way back to New York City after bidding Bridge good-bye in the improvised hospital and exacting his promise that he would visit them in New York in the near future.
It was a month later; spring was filling the southland with new, sweet life.The joy of living was reflected in the song of birds and the opening of buds.Beside a slow-moving stream a man squatted before a tiny fire.A battered tin can, half filled with water stood close to the burning embers.Upon a sharpened stick the man roasted a bit of meat, and as he watched it curling at the edges as the flame licked it he spoke aloud though there was none to hear:
Just for a con I'd like to know (yes, he crossed over long ago;And he was right, believe me, bo!) if somewhere in the South, Down where the clouds lie on the sea, he found his sweet Penelope With buds of roses in her hair and kisses on her mouth.
"Which is what they will be singing about me one of these days,"he commented.
End
