Los Angeles daily herald., 1874-01-01

the neaFy curtains cast gloom US u
twilight over the apartment, but
the fire as it blazed up, over and over,
revealed the features of the two young
men. At such times the serio-cOmico
expression would have disclosed the
fact that their subject was withal a
mirthful one, and the low suppresse d
laughter, indicated that their spiri is
were not in unison with the elements
without. George" said Don Juan,
going to to the window and looking
out, III am afraid we will have q bad
night for It, the indications are. deci-
dedly black, and there is bank of fog
setting in over the plains from the old
Pacific that looks as though one might
cut it with knife" "PshawW was
the reply, "you are always, borrowing
trouble. I could find my way to the
old station if the night was dark as
Egypt; come light cigar, and COM
pose your nerves for an adventure,
which if successful, will prove the
"coup de main" of your adventurous
existence, and will cause Don Felipe
to- forever taboo the north corner of
the station as a Hush, mother
is in the room adjoining, and If she
but dreamed of our plot, all the pow
ers of earth could not save us. Your
thoughtlessness will yet ruin the sue
cess. There, there, that will do.
Hereafter will be as cunning as q
serpent, and as dumb as mummy.
Very we'll replied Don Juan, can
trust you as far as can see you, so pile
little more wood on that fire, and 1
will help myself to one of your team
ster regalias and devote the remainder
of the evening to preventing you from
forgetting yourself. BY the way, it
will be dark early tonight, and we
must have Old Major hitehed up on
time. Yes, I'll look out for that, said
George, and if any remarks a-e made
at table, we must convey the idea that
we are to call at Mr.. C's. Oh! yes, no
doubt. Mother will smell mice, for
she il always on the alert to find out
something, but i do hope we can dupe
her this time, for-ah! there goes the
dinner bell, really this planning is
hungry work, feel as. though Icould
do justice to hearty meal Just the
opposite with me, said George. l am
too excited to enjoy the most epicu-
rean fepast. With these remarks
they entered the dining room where
the rest Of the family were seated at
table. SO
Don Felipe had for a number of
years been accustomed to Indulge in q
New Years dinner, but the circum-
stances in which he now. found him.
self placed were diametrically opposed
to the usual repast. The thoughts
that were passing in his mind, as he
went into the open sair, were as to
whether or not, he should fOrego the
accustomed meal. Although he had
not obtained asplump gobbler, Provi-
dence had enabled him to obtain q
fine young goose. But how to prepare
itwith all the other concomitants for
New Years dinner, was subject of
deep study. Enjoying as he was all
the pleasures Of q grass widower, he
was competent to acknowledge the
deficiency Of his education In the art
culinary The taste for a good meal
had become "a confirmed, habit, and
after many doubts, and misgivings
as to the propriety Of the step, he had
decided to ask his. sister-inlaw to
prepare the goose and invite the
entire family to partake thereof. With
this object In view, he had visited her
in the morning, obtained her consent,
and extended the invitation. Return
ing, he had placed his home in order,
disposed Of his bird by hanging it on
the north corner Of the station. He
had Just completed his arrangements,
when Don Juan and George Hender-
son rode by with q cheerful good morn
Ing. They passed ON and Don Felipe
entered upon the labors Of the day. 80
Juan, said his mother after dinner,
Don Felipe has e xtended an invitation
to US all to dine at the old station to-
morrow, and as he desires me to pre-
pare the meal, would like to have
YOU carry me UP early in the morning.
Very well, he replied, will do it with
pleasure, for New Years dinner is an
especial weakness of mine, and to OBJ
tain it I would forego even the pleas
ure of a hunt, which George and have
been plapnings So, whenever you are
ready, let me know, IIwill await your
pleasure. ,r.,,1, ,,.......-.
Hello! said he to George, who had
now entered the room. We are to dine
at the old station Tomorrow, and as
mother desires to go up early in the
morning, it will be impossible for me
to accompany you on our proposed
hunt. But it need not interfere ma
terially with your plans, for have no
dOub your tskill is so far in excess Of
mine, that you would get all the game.
Don Juan, was the reply,aif your
flattery only possessed the element Of
good sense, your winning ways would
be notoriously pleasant. s,ssr55d 81
Yes, said Don Juan, IL they we're
placed in contrast with yours; but q
truce to bandiage. II we are to take
that ride, let's go. Ssna
: AS the two Young men passed from
the room, Dofia Maria sighed, and said,
Oh! dear, / do wish / knew what would
become Of those boys. .sf
u Juan caught the remark and quickly
answered, If we are boys now, madre
mia, and we live, we will probably be-
come men. os@aFA 81
As he had predicted, it was one of
those disagreeable nights that must be
seen to be realized. The fog had rolled
in, enveloping everything in dark
ness SO intense, that for time neither
could distinguish the whereabouts of
the other, only by the sound Of their
voice. BY degrees becoming more ac-
customed to the obscurity of night,
they found their way to the stable.
Quickly Harvesting, and hitching the
horse to the buggy, and supplying
themselves with robes, jumped In and
were whirled rapidly away in the di-
rection of the old station. For time
neither spoke, and the silence was
broken only by the sound Of their con-
veyance. 1t was with the utmostdiffi-
Guilty that they were able to find the
road, which was entirely open, with
no fence on either side to guide them.
They had accomplished about one half