Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1871-08-23

ing, but, carelessly tearing the paper upon
which he had been writing into ribbons, drew
from his desk a fair sheet, and silently wrote
a deed for the whole right, title. and interest
Of Alvido in the San Salicis Rancho There
was a slight curl Of triumph about the cor
ners Of his mouth, and o queer look in his
eyes but Alvdo saw them not as he impa.
tiently paced the room. consuming cigarettes
at an enormous rate, giving occasional vent
to an oath When the paper was finished,
Fairway put on his hat, aud, stepping out.
soon returned with a dapper little man, who
combined the duties Of chief engineer Of the
hardware, dry-goods, and grocery establish.
ment on the corner below with that of Notary
Public, and in q few moments the signature
and acknowedgeme were perfected, and the
deed which held the fortunes OF the two men
lay completed upon the table between them
Not until the Notary had left the room did
Fairway speak but then. turning to Alydo,
he said Now, Jose, | have drawn this
thing as you wanted il, because | have no
right to refuse your proposition. IL lies there
on the desk, and is your property | advise
you to take il and tear it up. Whatever
comes Of this business you will remember
that such was my advice II you insist upon
your proposal to play for tiny share against
yours-l will do it, and | will win But |
make one condition, without which will not
play"
Name it," said the spaniard, almost
ferccly
1t is, that we now and together mount our
horses, and spend the day on the rancho. You
shall ride over the place we will dine and
smoke, and chat together, then, to-day, as
though there was not a card in the world
You shall see and realize what you are risk.
ing; aud then, if when we return you still
insist we will play for this stake touching
the paper lightly as he spoke
In vain did the Spanard urge and remou.
strate 1t soon became evident that Fair
way was in earnest, and he gave a reluctant
consent to the plan A brisk ride OF few
miles brought them TO an adobe hosse, aud
dismounting they fastened their horses to a
convenient rack, aud entered the low ceiled
room The furniture and fittings Of the
apartment gave no evidence of wealth or cul.
ture, although everything was scrupulously
clean. a large open fireplace occupied one
end of the building, before which young
and rather pretty woman was busting the
ashes back with a goose-wing. This wo-
man, whom the two men addressed as Delphi
ma rose at their coming, and cordially shak-
ing hands with the American, made some
laughing remark in broken English, display
ing a row Of teeth that fairly glittered in
their milky whteness Although not Alvi-
dos wife she passed for such, kept his house,
= and cooked his meals, appearing contented.
Speaking to her in Spanish, Jose told her that
they would be back to dinner, and going into
the yard soon returned with a pair of chick
ems which he had killed, aud an armful oi
/ vegetables fresh from the ground Short al
was his absence, there had been time enough
for the woman to ask, with half.regretfll
halEcareess manner, Have you been win
ming from him again p To which Fairway
replied, laughingIy and evasvey. With a
look Of quick contempt as she heard the ap.
, preaching footsteps, she said, "lf | was 8
man you wouldn't twist me around your flu
ger as you do him." But Alvidos return
put stop to the conversation--and after q
few hurried directions, the two mounted theii
horses and started on their ride. For hour
, they rode on, side by side; the Spaniard sui
len and speechless Fairway on the contrary
seemed to have an unnatural flow of spirits
! Nothing could discourage him. Refining in
once in a while, at some point of observation
: from which the goody heritage could be seeI
, to advantage, he would launch out in praise
, Of its beauty and value, suggesting possibl,
improvements, and speaking of the immens
facilities it possessed. lie spoke feelingly Q
the beuedts OF the possession Of such proT
. erty, aud talked Of the folly of risking i
= To do him justice, he exhausted every powc
Of eloquence and persuasion to dissuade Jos
from the venture he seemed bent on making
" One half this place" said he, " in partner
. ship with me, is all that you need to max
. you happy. | have business tact ca
make golden dollars grow on every blade Q
4 grass. Come, Jose, give up this notion.
!. will be your friend and you will never re
gret the day You can settle down, then
n marry Delphina." The Spaniard, whose fac
% had begun to show signs of yielding unit
those words were spoken, turned on him the
r. and with an oath, ground out between h
: teeth, exclaimed You are afraid to ris
,f what you have already won. If the place
what you describe, why not own it all2 Yc
+. say you can. Are you coward ?" Exec
4 a whitening OF TIE face, and twitch around Il
corners Of the mouth Eairway exhibited q
/, emotion, but simply said, have no more
,s say tonight we play for this great stake
4 the loser has but himself to bame"- .ar
:, turning their horses heads they spurred the
/. to their utmost speed until they reached Il
" house, where, seeing them properly bestowe
y after refreshing themselves with hear
20 wash they lii their cigarettes, and took the
10 places in the cool shadow Of the porch
~ await the call for dinner. After eating, viii,
of was accompanied on the part of Jose wi
n oopious draughts Of the powerful white viii
M Of the old Mission orchards, they return
., to the town, and at early candle.light the me
n locked up in the little office, sat down
i play,
De The game chosen was the simple one know
Is. as ireeze-out," each taking one hundr
ld beans So skillful were the players that I
I'D night waned and morning began, and I
co chances were about equal. Still they paye
nd until at last Jose, putting up all his stock
ak chips, staked everything upon his hand Fa
,ll way covered the pile. Jose then exuting
he threw down a full hand three queens and
*. pair Of sevens. His hand was outstretch
n. TO take UP the deed, when Fairway, with
he sanie, laid down four tens and rising fro
he the table, opened the window to let the &C
m morning air blow in upon their fevered brow
Ms Jose sat like man in dream and it "
I'll not until the clang of the iron door of t
in little safe in the corner Of the room recall
he him to the realization of the fact that the
he tie to his lands had passed from him, and t
ht evidence had been locked up by the own'
n. that he raised his head. Fairway walked
re the mantel-piece, poured out glass of wiz
ar drank il of before he spoke, and then sat
@. e Jose Alyido, yesterday you called me
le coward when | wanted to prevent what h
II. Just now happened. To-day ! am richer
es all your wealth, and have grown selfish in n
70 riches ! have just made promise to mys'
IN that will never touch another card so lol
lie as live. But you shall never want for al
le thing which | eau supply; and hold myse
is bound to accede to any request you may ev
AZ make to me- Until such time as may othc
yiae disnose of the proDertv Won will IN