When he had departed Barbara turned and entered the
house.
CHAPTER XII
BILLY TO THE RESCUE
IT WAS nearly ten o'clock the following morning when Barbara,
sitting upon the veranda of the ranchhouse, saw her father
approaching from the direction of the office. His face wore a
troubled expression which the girl could not but note.
"What's the matter, Papa?" she asked, as he sank into a
chair at her side.
"Your self-sacrifice of last evening was all to no avail," he
replied. "Bridge has been captured by Villistas."
"What?" cried the girl. "You can't mean it--how did you
learn?"
"Grayson just had a phone message from Cuivaca," he
explained. "They only repaired the line yesterday since Pesita's
men cut it last month. This was our first message. And do
you know, Barbara, I can't help feeling sorry. I had hoped
that he would get away."
"So had I," said the girl.
Her father was eyeing her closely to note the effect of his
announcement upon her; but he could see no greater concern
reflected than that which he himself felt for a fellow-man and
an American who was doomed to death at the hands of an
alien race, far from his own land and his own people.
"Can nothing be done?" she asked.
"Absolutely," he replied with finality.
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