Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1886-06-04

the voice OF thegentle newcomer some
what familiar, and like that she had
heard coming from the darkness, but
the fearless glance, the honest eyes
and charming manners of the man dis
armed all suspicion: his attentions
showed that he admired her and were
so marked that this fact was soon
apparent to all the company. In two
hours the coach was again stopped.
and a robber presented his gun and
face at the door, requesting the pas
sengers to allght. The pleasant stran-
ger near the door just touched the new
visitor on the wrist. The robber met
his eyes, changed color, stammered,
and begged pardon.
"Shall you want to see my passport"
inquired the stranger.
"Pardon, senor," replied the robber,
mo. no."
The coach proceeded without fur
ther annoyance. cit would have been
fortunate had we had you with us
when we were attacked before" said
the man who had growled at Marie.
81 wish / had been there" answered
the polite stranger, with a smile, while
his rough companion roared with rude
laughter, while all the rest looked on
amazed.
By gradual approaches the stranger
and Marie became unintentionally
communicative, and he discovered
that she was the niece of the rich bank
er De Navarro in chihuahua.
'De Navarro" he cried; "why he is
an old friend of mine! Will you pre-
emit him this, my card. I am going to
Chihuahua myself and will certainly
renew my acquaintance with him."
Marie promised and performed; in
her secluded life she had never he ard
OF Don Carlos Mendana, and when she
gave the card and message to her
uncle she thought he turned pale But
it might only have been her fancy.
1t was weeks before Carlos redeem
ed his promise, but he never forgot,
and at last he came, much to the
amazement and discomfort OF De Ma
varra.
"Ah?" cried Don Carlos, "and do
we meet after these many years! You
turned traitor and tried to have us
all hung but yourself. Well, we all
live, you see and intend to do So"
"Hush!" cried De Navarro; "what I
did was to save my own neck. Do
not whisper OF the past to my niece"
''Do not mention your niece's name
in the same breath with that of our
villainous past. She is too pure and
sweet to be spoken OF by our lips; but
yet I-blood-stained, guilty wretch
thoug h I ami love her. Let me try
to win her for my wife, De Navarro,
and swear will forget your treacl,.
cry and hide your past-as my own
from her, nor shall she suspect or
know my pursuits while I live.''
De Navarra had, for a long time pre-
vious, been q member, sometimes act
i've, and, at others, plotting, in Don
Carlos reckless, lnurderous band.
Once he was detected, and only by
brides and treachery to his compan.
ions had he escaped death, since which
time he had striven to lead an honest
life. He dearly loved his niece, and it
racked his heart strings to give her to
his former master, but by 50 doing
only could he purchase his life, which
he knew he had forfeited at the hands
Of every member of the robber band.
So he gave his consent.
The wooing OF Marie by Don Carlos
was speedy and happy and pressed by
her uncle, tie Marriage took place
within a few weeks. The girl had
learned to love her husband devoted
ly, even iE a short time, and he devot-
ed himself to her wit h q loving tender
ness, wonderful in g. man of his char
acter.
The happy pair proceeded to the
home OF De Mendana, at the foot of
the mountains, and lived most happily
there for years. Two lovely children
were born to them, and the devotion
of the husband to his wife never fall
tered; for her sake he had given I'D all
personal share in the plumber of the
band, living on his home estate and
directing his henchmen by messages or
at interviews.
Marie often wondered at the wild
men who came, asking always for Don
Carlos Rodrigo, parsonage OF whom
her husband would tell her nothing,
but Of whose plans he always seemed
to he fully informed.
After several years, when the ALL
thorities became active in hunting the
bandits, an action took place between
the soldiers and robbers, so many Of
the latter were made prisoners and
executed that De Mendana felt in hon
or bound to expose himself with the
remainder. So, telling Marie that he
was called to aid Don Rodrigo, and
might be long absent, he tenderly bade
farewell to her and his children.
Marie for weeks heard nothing OF her
husband. Her aunt had come to visit
her, and when the old lady asked
where Don Carlos was, Marie innocent
ly replied. "He has gone to assist in
some way that great friend OF his, the
mysterious Don Rodrigo, to whom he
is so devoted" The aunt started.
"Who did you say? Don Rodrigo?
Why, he is the most bloodthirsty,
famous robber in this land. And do
Carlos and his friends associate with
hlm2'
This answer worried and sadly per-
picked Marie, but, loyal to her love
and duty, she said nothing. But her
anxiety increased, and, as days wore
on and no news came from Carlos, she
was stricken with serious illness
At last, one night, under cover OF
the darkness, a man whom she had
never seen before demanded to speak
to her, as he had q message about
Don Rodrigo for her.
he was q ferce-looking man by ma
ture, but his face was now CHASTITY
white as we'll. He was dusty and
weary, with hard riding, and his ex-
preston was anxious and sad. Marie
instinctively felt a horror of the man,
and drew back as be approached her.
He noticed it.
"You need not be afraid, f." he said,
with q weary smile; 'tthe widow ofDon
Rodrigo, nv best friend. need fear