San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1879-01-25

what she doubtless thougnt her "nPio'
sentable appearance.
She withdrew intOan adjoining ROOM
and took advantage Of her absence by
surveying the one in which was sitting
1t was furnished ina manner uncom-
mon to that section Of the country.
Everywhere there were evidences OF the
delicate taste displayed by its fair mis-
tress. The floor was carpeted, the walls
were covered with white muslin there
were upholstered chairs and sofa; on
a small table in the center OF the room
was n pile of, books; and in one corner
was an open secretary. ,r. r.-
How remarkable, thought 1, to find
such Q house and So lovely q creature
for such she was--prssiding over it in
this Isolated spot. But my thoughts
were soon disturbed by the reappear-
anee of the principal object Of my won
Pardon me, please, for leaving you.
so long Alone" she said as she settled
into q chair and smoothed down the
waves of the rich dress which she had
donned in her absence, and added; "You
must have Travelled long distance to-
day. uI
"Yes," said I, II have come all the
way from C--ville."
TWhy, you must be quite exhausted"
said she, and at the same time rising
and going to door, "Ah Toy, All Toy|
she cried, "get some dinner for the gen
tleman"
All my protestations were OF no avail.
While awaiting the preparations for
dinner we conversed freely, and dis
covered that she possessed, beside her
rare personal charms, rare attractions
of the mind, for she was well read and
intelligent. I learned from her that her
father was q miner, whose claim lay in
that immediate vicinity, and that he
would be home in the evening.
Dinner was soon in readiness, and l
partook heartily, while my fair hostess
presided over the table; and under the
influence of the wine that she set before
me I grew more and more communica-
tive. ... .at %.
"What could have brought you into
such an out-of-the-way place as this?"
she asked, after the table had been clear
ed. I had cvaded similar questions to
this, but none so directly put. Yet,
thought I, why should I not tell her the
object of my trip? What harm could
her knowing it do? And it might be
the means of my gaining valuable infor-
nation; and the subtle influence which
those dark, sparkling eyes exercised
over me inspired me with confidence
in their possessor, and, lowering my
voice, began;
"Have you ever heard of Morengo's
banda"
The dark eyes flashed with excite
ment as she answered:
"What, the stage-robbers? r
eyes, said I, ''then you have heard Of
them"
'.Yes, indeed" she replied, 81 have
heard great deal of them, then added
archly, II hope you are not one of their
number"
"On the other hand" said L II am
after Them
"Indeedr she exclaimed, with in
creasing interest; and then looking
around in frightened manner, asked:
But you don't think they live any
where around here, do you?"
ST am convinced" 1 replied, lowering
my voice still more, that they do live
, in this neighborhood."
Her alarm increased.
"Why." she exclaimed, Il have been
living here for several years, with no
other protection during the day than
Tiger"
1 assured her that really thought it
must be an abandoned set of wretches
who would harm lady and especially
her.
She appeared to take no notice of
this little compliment, and continued
"On the other hand, understand, they
are very gallant band of rascals, and
scarcely ever require ladies to surrender
-. i..i.lnn ,rhnn they nttack a