BILLY TO THE RESCUE
Too Long; Didn't Read
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.”