Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1882-12-07

appearance near her own home an
yet again. she managed to draw tn
blood-thirsty Combra away from tn
Mexos Valley for days at time
Still the danger continued, and bot
the American and his sweetheart kne,
1t. The disappearance of the half-bree
but put off the day of final reckoning
and Page never rode without his pistols
Notwithstanding all his fears an
troubles, the lovers were much together
and the wedding day drew on apace.
Overcome by love and fear, Zaret
had begged her promised husband no
to ride after dark, and he had givel
his word. For this reason his visits t.
the ranch of old Hernandez were nov
made in the afternoon. and as the SUI
touched the crowns of the far-awa,
mountains he each day babe his Spanish
sweetheart goodbye, and rode three
miles across country to his own home
where he remained out of sight unit
morning.
Man-like, the young American chat
ed at being thus separated from thu
queen of his heart, and locked within
adobe walls from shutdown to sunrise
but with clinging caresses and fearful
eyes poor Zareta begged it should b'
80.
"Only until our marriage, my below
ed. When we are one, irrevocably
then this wolf will leave US. Then
once more you will be free"
perhaps" replied Page. "But sup.
pose the persecution continuesY
"Then," said the girl, with the dark
blood flaming in her cheek, "then, when
l am your wife, you may kill him."
"It's agreed" said Charlie. 81 will
say no more of this Combra until after
our wedding, but il he then continues
to trouble you, and threatens me, let
him have care"
1t was at last Sunday, and the oere-
mony was TO be on Tuesday. Twice
during the last week, even In the day
time, Page had been followed by Indi-
ans through the timber--red-skins hir-
ed by the implacable enemy; and on
this very morning an old friend of the
Americans sent him word at his ranch
not to venture forth that day at all, or
if he did to remain at the home of his
ladylove until the wedding ceremony.
The brow of the young man grew
dark as this message was communicate
ed to him.
Glide from that dogl Neverl BY
heaven, I'll ride as 1 will, and where 1
will, and let any man beware how he
seeks to detain mel l am my own mas
terri
The vow was, perhaps, rash one,
but Page buckled a pair of heavy pistols
at his belt, threw his repeating rifle
across his saddle-bow, and put spurs to
his horse with all the determination of
a soldier.
He was thoroughly aroused, and had
his rival appeared, a duel to the death
would have mostly certainly ensued.
But the journey to Hernandez's ranch
was without incident, and all day with
his love seemed to cool the ange: of the
man. so that when, an hour before sun
down, he babe Zareta goodbye, and
turned his horse homeward, he had al
most forgotten the danger of which he
had that morning been warned.
The road or trail ran westward, and
after traversing the highland for cou-
pie of miles, descended to the bottom of
the Mexos.
The young lover had ridden as far as
this point, dreaming. and it was not
until the hoarse below of cattle all
around him attracted his attention that
he aroused himself from his reverie.
Then, however, he looked sharply
about him, and struck the spurs to his
horse.
by heavens! A strange herdl 1
wonder how they came hereP 1t will
be well to move on. Some of these
steers have ugly eyes and horns"
And indeed they had. The cate were
strays, half hundred or more, and
frightened. When in that state they
are often dangerous and will sometimes
attack even mounted men.
Page knew this, and rode both rap
idly and carefully across the bottom
land toward the ford, ready at any mo-
ment to make a run for it If the bel
lowing cattle should make an attack
on him.
He was almost at the rivers edge a
bit of chappsral alone separated him
from the flowing water, when suddenly,
with hoarse cry, he refined his steed
sharply back upon his launches. and
clutched wildly at his pistol-holster,
then as suddenly was dragged from his
saddle to the ground, half strangled by
Tightening lariat about his throat, and
the same instant his bood- thirsty enemy
Don Oombra, knelt above him, knife in
hand.
With swift and nervous strength he
bound the half-stunned American, and
then dragged him toward the rivers
brink.
'CarrambaY Kissed the furious half
breed, glaring into the eyes of his vic
tim, "ze end has couel You would
not mind re warn, re debbi1 gets you
nowl Seel i will cut re t'roat an tie
stones to re heels an drownp'
The mans words rang duly in the
ears of his captive, but the CLEAN of
his eyes and knife, and the gurgle of
the river close at hand, told Page his
fate.
To cry out were worse than uselesc.
If he must die, let it be like man.
The mailman drew closer to him, I'M
winding from his waist the scarlet
scarf which he wore.
Red ON re heels. red on re t'rOat.