The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-07-05
Hrisfsr yor 7ze Arkassaso 7yaveIey.
 SAVED BY A MEXICAN LION.
BY IKE pHilYiss.


 Pey,on Landsiords had been visiting Merle Mcdonnell for over ayear; every body in the little town of Burnet had al- ready coupled their names as one, and all seemed to regard the match as the best that could be made in the town. As is usual in other small towns, those who had the least claim to be concerned in the welfare oi the young people seemed to take the greatest interest in the young lovers.
 said all the people liked and ap- proved the match. There was one single individual who did not look at it in the light of favor, and he was the one who, in teiegraphic reports of love scrapes, us- ually comes out in the majority, and tha, was Merle's father, Colonel Greenleaf Mcdonnell. He was the wealthiest man in that section of country, except his brother.
 Colonel Mcdonnell opposed his dA igh- ter marrying newspaper scribbler,' as he was pleased to call Peyton Landsfords, the editor and proprietor of the Burne, BngIe; and he had Merle, in his name, to forbid Pey,on coming into his yard when he found how matters stood.
 He did not, with fathers usual short sightedness, order her never to write or speak to Peyton again ; and ,he, being good little lawyer, took advantage of the technioaiity.
 Her uncle, wealthy stockman, and owning several farms in the rich Colorado valley, lived about six miles from Burnct. He was a staunch friend of Peyton, and was anxious to see him and his niece marry.
 Greenleaf forgets that his whole life at first wasn't worth as much as month of Peyton's existence at the same age" he would say.
 If he were as great philosopher as the writer, he would know that it is common with all cruel parents, whose early years were worthless to themselves and others, and who struck it rich by accident in later years, to depreciate those who are living for a purpose, and are really of use to mankind, but who have not yet !" struck oil" This was the case with Colonel Greenleaf Mcdonnell, and constituted the difference between him and his brother. Hence, the uncle saw what was in Peyton, and was anxious 10 see his beautiful and cultured niece marry a young man every way worthy of her, and one who could be congenial in all things.
 With this view of things, shared by all her relatives except her Merle's uncle, John Mcdonnell, frequently in- vited Peyton to go out and spend day or two with him at his country home. And it invariably happened that Merle was visiting her cousins on these oc- casions. It is with one of these visits thas my story has to deal.
 Bumet IS small Texas town. in the midst of a mountainous region. It is in a beautiful valley, which is luxuriant with the richest dress of bounteous natures bestowing, all the year around.
 On either side, hills rear their heads several hundred fee. toward the sky, as if the Architect of the universe intended them as pillars to uph old the clouds.
 Amongst these hills are craggy peaks, perpendicular walls, with narrow path ways at their base, with hardy little mountain cedars clinging to the rocks here and there yawning chasms, seventy or hundred feet deep, at the brink of which arise overhanging shelves, with niches hollowed beneath and back, forming miniature caverns, accessible by devious paths-sometimes wide and smooth enough toaadmit of vehicle and two horses being driven along their natur- ally paved surfaces.
 lt was in one of these lovely valleys in- ltoSCo Wituiu d SCtlCS Of tncSC ulllS that picnic party was gathered one day in April.
 It was high above the surrounding and beautifully shaded by cedars, with spring of pure, crystalline water gushing from the foot ofa seemingly solid rock. It was called the Spring of Moses" because it poured out as if the rod of the great leader of Israel had smitten the solid rock and called forth waters for the people.
 Merle's uncle had arranged for this picnic, in order that Peyton and she might have gala day with the young people of the neighborhood, and also have an opportunity to plan a little for themselves.
 After dinner, Merle and Peyton were seated in the buggy, talking, when Pey- ton glanced up and said: