The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-07-22
Copyright sscursdI
BRET HARTE'S NEW ROMANCE.
IN THE CAR0UINEz WooDs-A TALE
or CALIFORNIA.
CHAPTER Y.

The wind was blowing toward the stranger
20 that no was nenrly upon her. when Teresa
first took the alarm. IIe was man over six
feet In height, strongly built with slight ten
doncy to a ronndness OF bulk which aug
gested reserved rather than impeded en-
orgy. His thick beard and moustache
wero closely cropped around q small and
handsome mouth that lisped except when
no was excited. but always kept fellowship
with his blue eyes In perpetual smile OF half
cyncnI good humor. His dress was superior
to that Of tho locality: his general expression
that OF man OF the world. albeit world Of
San Francisco. Sacramento. and Murderert'
Bar Ho advanced toward her with laugh
and m outstretcled hand.
You herc!' she gasped. drawing back.
Apparently neither surprised nor mortified
atthis reception. he answered frankly: "Yeth.
You didn't expect me. know. But poloreth
showed me the letter you wrote her caldwell
here nm. ready to help you. wi,h two men
and thpare horthe waiting outside tho
wocdth on the blind trail"
"You--you-hercY ?" she only repeated.
Cursor shrugged his shoulders. "Yeth. OF
courth you never expected to thee me again.
and leatht Of all here. III admit that. I'll thay.
Wouldn't II I'd been In your plathe. I'll go
further and thay you didn't want to thee mo
thame thing: here nm. read the letter you
wrote Dooreth. I read how you were hiding
here under Dunnth very nothe. with his whole
pothe out, cavorting round md barkin' up the
wrong tree. made up my mind to como down
here with few nathty friends Of mine and cut
you out under Dunn'th nothe and run you over
into Yubn. that'th all."
How dared she show you my letter? you Of
oil men, How dared she ask your help" con-
tlnued Teresa fercely.
But She didn't athk my help. he responded
coolly. I'D II don't think she just cacu-
lated I'd be glad to know you were being hunt
ed down and thtarving. that might put Dunn
on your track"
You liel" said Teresa furiously. she was
my friend A better friend than those who
prcfessed-naore.' she added. with contempt
nous drawing away OF her skirt rs II sho feared
Curson's contamination.
"All right. Thettlc that with her when you
81 back" continued Cursor phiosophically.
"Wo can talk OF that on the way. the thing now
It'll to get up and get out Of thethe woods
Comet" Teresa's only reply was gesture Of
scorn.
Il know all that" continued Cursor half
soothinGly but they're waiting"
Lot them wait. shall not no."
what will you do7"
Stay here-til the wolves eat me-
Teresa. listen. DIN it all-Tercsa-Tital
see hore." he said with sudden energy l
swear TO God it's all right. I'm wiling to let
by-gones DO by-gones ana take II new deal.
You shall come back as II nothing had hap
pened and take your old place ms before. |
don't mind doing the square thing-n round.
II that's what you mean. If that's all that
stands in tho way. why look upon the thing rs
Rettled-there. Tita. old girl. come"
Careless or obivious OF her stony silence and
starting eyes. he attempted to take her hand.
but she dsensaEed hcrself with quick move
men:. drew back. and suddenly crouched
like IL wild animal about to spring. Cur
son folded his arms rs she leaped to her
feet; tho little dagger she had drawn from her
garter flashed menac!nGly in the air. but she
stopped.
The man before her remained erect imras-
sive. and silent. the great trses around and be-
You'd her remained erect. impassive and silent;
there was no sound in tho dim ais!es but the
quick painting of her mad passion. no move-
ment in the calm motionlcss shadow. but the
trembling OF her upliited steel. Her arm Bent
and slowly sank. her fingers relaxed, the knife
fell from her hand.
"That',h quito enough for ihow.' no said
with u return to his former cynical cnse and \
perceptible tone OF relief in his VOICE 1t til
tho thGme old Tcretha. Well then. II you won't
60 with me. go without me. take ths led horthe
and cut away. Dick Athicy and Peterth will
follow you ovor tho country line. II you want
thons money, there it ith." He took buckski
purse from his pocket III you won't take 1t
from me he hesitated as she made no reply
'Atnl.y4'th flush and ready to lend you thoms.'
Shc had not seemed TO hear him, but had
stopped ia some embarrnss ment. picked M the
kn!c and hastily hid it, then with averted face
ard nervous fingers was beginning to tear
s;rius Of loose bark from the nearest trunk.
Vol. what do you thay?"
Il don't want any money and shall stay
hcir" She hnsitated. looked around her, and
then added with an effort Il suppose you
meant well, Be it so! Let by-goncs be by
cones. You said JUS. now, IT'S the same old
Teresa So she is. and seeing she's the Same.
shs's better here than anywhere else"
There was enough bitterness in her tone to
call for Curson's half perfunc,ory sympathy.
THAT DO id" no responded quickly.
'Jutht thay yoll come. Tta. and"
She stopped his half spoken sentence with a
negative gesture. You don't understand /