The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1882-02-16
ms TERRIBLE MISTAKE.

laos, In new mexico, 81 Cue CLOSE OI
beautiful day in mild autumn. His
physique was faultless, his eyes dark and
restless, and the uplifted brim of his
sombrero disclosed lofty forehead. A
great moustnche, whose long hairs were
blown behind his ears by the winds, ad-
ded to his personal adornment.
The man was Benito Marmajo, wild
and restless fellow, famous among other
things for the summary manner in which
he swept rivals from his path. Almost
incredible stories of his love-making
are still told in the towns of New Mexi-
CO, and Arizona and the meanest person
has his deeds at his tongues end.
Let us record his last.
Straight to the most prominent drink
ing house of the town rode Benito Mar
majo on the evening before mentioned.
He found the usual loungers about the
bar-young bloods of rank in the terri
tory, and his friends and admirers.
His first act was the treating of the
crowd, and when the liquor had disap-
peared one of the loungers said, banter
",To-morrow night the beautiful SEN
orito Inez becomes the Northerner's
bride. Who among US has she invited
to her nuptials?"
The young man looked at Marmajo as
he spoke, as if his words were addressed
to that individual alone.
The Mexican's face flushed.
sNot Benito Marmajo r. was the graf
ing response. 1.-The sonora is free to
choose whomsoever she may; but those
who are asked to the marriage feast do
not always attend"
The words contained subtle meaning,
as the speakers look and the manner in
which they were spoken indicated to his
auditors.
As the last words fell from his lips,
Marmajo, the Mexican, drew a well-flled
purse from his bosom, and tossed it upon
the counter. His companions exchanged
startled and significant glances.
"Who takes my wager?' the dark
skinned Adonis cried, defiantly, his eyes
sweeping the Gordon of faces that sur
rounded him. ''Thirty ounces of gold!
Some senior cover them, and Jose,
our barkeeper, shall hold the yellow
stakes"
A moments silence succeeded, when q
young man, who had entered the place
In time to hear the offer, exclaimed, Il
will" as he elbowed his way toward the
Mexican.
A slight cheer went up from the crowd,
and the handsome reprobate turned, smil-
ing upon the youth. =.
"Ah, is this yourself, Senior 1glean, p"
he exclaimed, extending his hand. "You
must be one of the disappointed ones
The young man blushed deeply, for it
was generally known that he had once
sought the hand Of the senorita, who
stood so near the altar.
!. whether / am or not that does not
affect the wager" he answered, ne.tled
somewhat by the Mexican's words. II
cover your purse thus, Marmalo. These
senors are witnesses"
"And Jose, here, the stockholder?"
Isl, SENIOR"
"Good. Now, Jose, let MS have the
best liquor that your house supplies"
The wager was sealed in draughts of
tolerable good liquor, and Benito Mar
maio withdrew from the convivial
company and remounted his ithe-limbed
steed.
'Day after tomorrow, senors," he
said, with smile to the few who were
able to wish him adieux from the porch
of the house, and touching his horse
gently with the spurs, he was soon be-
yond the boundaries of the town.
One by one the drunken jewellers left
the drinking place with brains too be-
fuddled to think of the CO vert threat,
lily concealed by Marmajo's wager.
They did not dream OF the blow that was
lowering over the head Of the young
northerner who had entered the territory
and won, over the alteration Of many
native bsaux, the hand of the Senorita
Inez.
Beautiful, wealthy, and good, the
maiden descendant Of one of Cortez's
mailed followers, had long been the belle
of the country about Taos. Her fathers
large hacienda, swarming with cattle, and
Boosting Of silver mines OF great wealth.
:. would, in course Of time, become hers.
fThus she was the richest heiress in the
TERRITORY: :.
To ill her admirers save Richard
Compton, from the States, she turned
deaf ear. The handsome Marmajo had
courted her smiles in vain. and the youth
full Iglean had poured the story Of his
passion into her ears, while she loved the
American Who had won her heart. And
Il was 10 be . grand wedding. The
brides father had invited officers Of the
territory, and the wealth and beauty Of
the country were expected to grace the
occasion. But Marmajo, the disappoint-
Cd sutton, had wagered thirty ounces Of
gold with Iglean that the American
would not kiss Ines on the wedding