Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1879-02-19

gent. Learned from her that her father
was a miner, whose claim lay in the
immediate vicinity, aud that be 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, grew more and more communlca-
tive.
What could have brought you to such
an out of-the.way place as thisF she
asked after the table had been cleared.
I had evaded similar questions to this
but none so directly put. Yet, thought
I. why should 1 not tell her the object
of my trip' What harm could her
knowing it do? And 1t might be the
means of nay gaining valuable lntorma'
ton and the subtitle influence which
those dark, sparkling eyes exercised over
me inspired me with confidence in their
possessor, and lowering my voice, l
began:
Have you ever heard of MorenSo's
Band?'
Her dark eyes flashed with excite
.,o,+ &c sba onswered
What, the stage rebbersT
Yes said L then you have heard
of thems'
Yes, indcedl' she replied; l have
heard a great deal Of them > then add.
ed archly: / hope you are not one Of
their number
'On the other hand,' said 1, L am
after them.'
.Indeed!' she exclaimed with increas-
inc interest. and then looking around
in a frightened manner asked: But
you don't think they live anywhere
around here. do you:'
4 am convinced replied, lowering
nv voice still mere. that they do live
in the neishborhood.' Her alarm in
creased.
why she exclaimed, 4 have been
living here for several years with no
other protection during the day than
Tiger
I assured her that really thought it
must be an abandoned set OF wretches
who would harm a lady-and especially
her. She appeared to take no notice OF
this little compliment, and continued {,
ON the other hand, 1 understand they
are a very gallant band of rascals, and
scarcely ever require ladies to surrender
their valuables when they attack a
STAGE This seemed 10 reasswe her.
But went on, you can doubtless
better understand this when l inform
YOU that it Is question which is the
leader of the band, Morengo or his
daughter. Juanita'
'Ohr she exclaimed, now you have
aroused my curiosity. How romantic
Tell me all about her, please it is such
a rare thing that we hear OF romance
in this isolated region
Her graceful form inclined in her ca
gerness to catch every word uttered,
and her check flushed with pleasure and
excitement as told her all l knew and
had heard about the remarkable woman,
whose daring deeds exceeded those ei
any of her fathers followers, and that
it was affirmed that the most successful
raids Of the band were planned by her,
and she always assisted IN their execu'
ton.
Thus employed in pleasant converse
ton the moment slipped away into
hours, and every moment that passed l
felt myself beco ming more hopelesslY
entangled in the meshes that the lovely
woman before nae was all unconsclously
weaving and throwing around me.
AS each successive hour passed l
made up my mind to leave before an
other had, but a. often failed ia my res
olution. The sun was now low, and l
essayed to depart, but was met with the
words:
: why, you surely won't 20 uHtil papa
comes home, 1 am sure he would be
glad to meet y0u.'
You really must excuse me- said ;
it is not justice TO the rest OF the party
What party? she broke in.
'Why,' Ireplied, remembering that
had not told her, Il am only one OF a
party Of .ome ten or twelve
'Ah, yes said she, eyeing me close
ly. i see. And all searching for Mo-
rengo?'
Yes 1 replied, but 1 am day II
advance of them; and as l said, il
would really be unjust for me to remain
idle here while they are pursuing thell
aborious search
Then they will be here tomorrow ?
she asked.
Yes said 1, their intention was to
follow the trail which brought me here.
WELL says she, you must stay unit
papa comes. 1 shall have to set tabl'
for tea.' And before l could interpos'
word she was away. As she LETT the
room l thought how many charms she
was the possessor of, intelligent, beau
tiful. romantic, vivacious, Of aesthetic
tastes. I was convinced; and then look
ing round my eyes lit upon the books
piled upon the table. l had a curiosity
to see them more closely, SO wake J
over and on examining them found the
were works Of authors of renown, ant
az opened one after another, / saw
II