The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1884-06-29

A. 49,
SustAMIsa xhSS1oa 49, 49, - 11sH.Ase
nv Aosss an1v1A1Gis n AAAping M1th ~ ruds-
Nsss n fhs fouls- ~ lAr the saost dihneult Of
her whole jonrnsy The rare wagon txacks
that indicated her road we're often scarcoy
discernfble: at times thsy led her through
openings In the haif-cloared woods. skirtsd
suspicious morasssa. pstnfully climbed the
smooth dome-liko hills. or wound along peril
GUS slopes at dangerous anRis. Twice she
Ind to aiieiit and cling to the sliding wheels
on one Of those treaeherous inolinss. or drag
them from impending ruts or immov.
nhie mire. In the growing LIGHT sho could
distinguish tho distant low-lying marshes
eaten BY oncroachlng sloughs and insld-
ious channels. and beyond them the faint gray
waste Of the Lower Day. A darker peninsula
In the marsh she knew 30 b the extrome
boundary Of her future homs-ths Rancho de
los Cuervos. In another hour she began TO
descend to the plain. and to once moro APP
proach tho main road. which now ran nearly
parallel with her track. She scanned 1t oau-
tiously for any early traveller; 1t stretched
north and south IN apparent unendine soli-
tude She struck Into It boldly. aud urged her
horse to tho top OF his speed until she reached
the oross road that led to the rancho. But
here she paused and allowed the relns to drop
unaccountable irresolution soized her. The
difficulties other journey were over: the rancho
lay scarcely two miles away she had
achieved the most important part Of her
task In the appointed time. but sho
hesitated. What had she come for2 She tried
to recall Polndexter's words oven her own en-
thusiesm. bpt In vain. She was going to take
possession Of her husbands property. she
knew-that was ALL But the means she had
tnken seened now no exaggerated and mystic
rious for that simple end that she began to
dread an impending something or some vague
danger she had not considered. that she was
rushing blindly to meet. Full Of this strange
feeling she almost mechanically stopped her
horse % she entered the GROSS road.
From this momentary hesitation singular
sound aroused her. 1t seemed at first like tho
swift hurrying by Of some viewiess courier OF
the air. the vague alarm Of some invisible n.y.
ing herald. or like the inartlculste CRY that
precedes storm. It seemod to rise and fall
around her a. II with somo changing
urgency Of purpose. Raising her eyes.
she suddenly recognized the two far
stretching lines Of telegraph wire above her
head. and knew the NOLAN cry OF the m orning
wind along It's vibrating chords. But II
brought another and more practical fear to
her active brain. Perhaps oven now the teie-
graph might be anticipating her! Had Poin-
dexter thought OF that2 She hesitated no
longer. but laying tho whip on the back Of her
jaded mustang again hurried forward.
As the level horizon grew more distinct her
attention was attracted by the white sail Of q
small boat lazIly threading the sinnous chan
mel Of the slough. 1t might DO Poindexter ar
irving by tho more direct route from the steam
boat that occasionally laid OF the ancient en-
- xlo ~ nnh0 nsvt
oven while watching It her quick ear caught
tho sound OF snlloptng hoois behind her.
She turned quickly and saw she was fol-
lowed by horssman. But her momentary
alarm was succeeded by feeling Of relief as
abe recognized tho erect figure and square
shoulders OF Poindexter. Yet she could not
help thinking that he looked more like mill
tant scout and less like cautious legal adviser
than ever.
With unaffected womanliness she rearranged
her slightly disordered hair rs he drew up
beside her Il thought you were in yonder
boat she said.
IN OF l." he laughed: I distanced you by
tho high rond two hours. and have been recon-
Motoring. until saw you hesitate Mt the cross
roads.
But who Is In tho boat ?" asked Mrs. Tucker.
partly to hide her embarrassment.
only some early Chinese market gardener,
! dare say. But you are safe now. You arc on
your own land. You passed the boundary mon
ument Of the rancho Ave minutes ago. Look
All you SEQ before you Is yours. from the en-
Larcadero to yondor Coast range"
Tho tone OF half railery did not. however
cheer Mrs. Tucker. She shuddered slightly
and cast her eyes over tho monotonous sea oil
tule and meadow.
1T doesn't look pretty. perhaps" continued
Poindexter. but It's the richest land In the
State. and tho smbnrcdde,o will some day be a
town. Isuppose you'll call 1t Blue Grassville.
But you seemsi tirsd!' he said suddenly
dropping his voice to u tone Of half humorous
sympathy.
Mira. Tucker managed to get rid OF an i'm
pending tear under the pretence OF clearing her
eyes. Are We nearly there ?" she asked.
Nearly. You know" he added. with the
same half mischievous ha,f-sympathizing
gayety. it's not exactly palace you're COM
ing to. Hardly. It's the old casa that has been
deserted for years. but thought 1t better you
should 60 into possession there than take up
You abode ut the shRnty where your husbands
take possession of the casa. while the very
hour Of your arrival Mt the shantv would be
known-and II they should make any
trouble"
II they should make any trouble ?" repeated
Mrs. Tucker lifting her frank. inQuiring eyes
to Poindexter
His horse suddenly rearing from an anpar-
entity accidental prick Of the spur. It was min
ute or two before no WAS able to explain. u
mean II this ever comes up as matter OF owl
dence you know. But here we are!"
Whist had seemed to be an overgrown mound
rising like an Island out of the dead level Of