The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-10-20
at Old Estebal's.
BY ANNIE WEST.

A man in the neighborhocd of La Gata said:
 "That Englishman better keep away from old Esteban's. Thought I'd have little fun down there onct myself. Was awful sweet on the Donna Mar garita"-furthermore ventured this frank individual--"but I drawed outen the game soon as I seen what was in that Miguel's eye."
 MT. Jack Johns, the Englishman, did not keep away from Esteban's, nor had he any idea of doing so till let ter came from his stately mother across the sea, which bore the tidings of his fathers death, and bade him come home from his wanderings tD fill the station in life that befitted an heir to old English demesnes.
 Then, as he rode along to pay his adieux to his Mexican friends, Mir. Johns' thoughts were disquieted with in him, Consciousness ot certain sen- timentalities between himself and Margarita made him little uneasy as to how he should say good bye.
 "Deuce take it." he thought, "what is man to do when woman makes eyes at him, but pay up in the same coin? An, I have ftp he happily concluded. "Qpite good plan, too, I will take them ea famile, the old Don-the lady herself, that jealous cousin Miguel, the cook and two little slaveys. When I exit with that rabble at ny heels there will be no need, really, to say anything specially tender to anybody; just 8 cordial handsbake and adsos all round. Viva!"
 Being of 8 light hearted tempera- ment, MT. Johns did not long trouble himself about unpleasant possibilities. He galloped along the mountain road, pausing moment at the top of 8 dome shaped hill to take in the view of tumblisg stream that sparkled in the sunset and the white washed walls of Esteban Rancho glaring amid per- simmon bushes and dark cedars down in the valley belw.
 A shrill barking mob of pelon dogs saluted MT. Johns. The cousin Mig uel was at the front of the house sup erintending the breaking of 8 vicious mustang.
 "I will freeze on to him." thought Jack Johns in local vernacular. "Poor fellow! I'll make up to him for the times I've stood in his way. He's my trump card now really, for she daren't make me say any thing foolish with his hawks eyes upon us"
 Icily-polite Miguel took Mir. Johns in hand conducted him to a room whose doors and windows were dense- ly shaded by vines of caIa6azds. Out of the gloom and coolness up rose a small coquettish figure-Margarita Esteban-with glow on her features and a little soft hand outheld.
 It is possible MT. Jack Johns had never analysed carefully that small face. Certainly, with her magnif- gently wicked black eyes lighting up the cheeks warm pallor, and their alf-laughing, half- plaintive re- gard upturned to the tall young Englishman, he lad never found fault with this dusky beauty. The lines of her mouth might be sinister, the sweep of her jaw cruel like that of a tiger-striped cats: he had seen noth- ing of this.
 Perhaps it was the clear mountain air, more likely the stirring daily work he had in prompting lazy pas tores and supervising vast herds of contrary sheep, that had kept MT. Johns from making an utter fool of himself. Standing there on the eve of departure, with new plans and in- terests thronging his mind, he won- dered that he could ever have been oi late on the brink of dangerous infat- uation.
 "My friend, what have you7" asked Margarita in the sweetest voice. alt is the sadness in your fhce, so7 yesw
 He told his news At that part which spoke of leave taking and sn immediate journey across the ocean, Margarita's heart gave one fierce throh, then sank-sank-and her lips cl0sed in . thin, suffering line But che screamed for Juana-
 @For why did the little fool delsyf Laggard, imbecile! make to come the coffee quicklyI Don Juan have grcat grief, perishes, too, for food and drinl from his long ride" And she sc0lded shrilly frst one of the little ssxvanta and then the other.