San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-08-28

As they rode back to the ranch after the
ball was over, the Don was the only silent
one in the party. He was evidently turning
something over in his mind, and gave no
heed to what was said to him, though Jim
Carroll swore that he heard him mutter to
himself something about maiden's tears and
lovers fears, and so it was promptly agreed
that the Don was in love.
The effect of his new attachment became
at once noticeable in his cooking Instead of
the biscuits having four parts saleratus to
three of -four, the proportion became as five
to two. His Irish stew" degenerated into
something beyond belief or description; his
dishes were never washed. II don't want
you waddys to git too blame finicky-take no
thought bout what We shall eat" he ex-
planned.
Look here, Don |" roared Jim one morn
ing, as the Don absent mindedly emptied
pot of boiling coffee on his wrist; what
dye mean? | amt cupl"
81 know it, Jimmie, know it," said the
Don, mildly; fight ye the good fght-ru
make some more in minute" and Jim had
to be contented with that apology.
Every evening after supper the Don would
mount Rozinante and ride away to court his
Dulcinea del Tanos. No one ever knew what
time he returned, but he always had break
fast-of a certain kind-ready by sunrise.
He was extremely reticent about his affairs
and gave no hint concerning them, nor could
the men judge from his manner how he pros
pered. 1t wasn't even known whether it was
the mother or the daughter he sought
But one morning he appeared at breakfast
looking but the battered wreck Of his former
self Dark circles Of black framed his eyes,
and one was swollen shut His velveteen
jacket was torn up the back and sleeve was
gone. His right wrist seemed to be sprained
and he limped as he walked. He received
the chatting in silence.
"Hullo, Donn cried Rube, "what's up2
Wilder must hev bin extry 'fectionate last
night"
Its all along of his bronx, that is" said
Shorty Hes bin feedin' it some Of his
cUsSed sallyratus biscuit on the sly, till the
beast got to feeiin so good it most kicked the
head Otfn him."
The Don resoutely refused to disclose the
cause of his dilapidated appearance, and
went about his duties wearing piece of raw
beef tied over his eye, but otherwise as if
nothing unusual had happened. But that
evening, instead of mounting Roznante and
riding away, he took his seat by the fire, and
briefly told his story
It'll set your minds at rest, maybe, if I
tell you bout it." he said, AN so carlate to
do it. That night-spell ago-when we went
over to the Davis to the dance, was quite
took with the looks of Mis- Davis an
Mirandy, an l says TO myself-like as not
you need convertin', most every one does in
this country-an' for brass will l give you
gold, | says, yea, much gold, says l. Well,
last night young Teller rode up an got off'n
his horse an come in The wilder didn't
seem to shine to him, but Mirandy called him
Bobby" Here the Don paused, and re-
peated, thoughtfully: Yes, sir, she called
him Bobby, right before my eyes" Then
resuming his story: swell, he talked good
deal, an acted's if he owned San Nigel
county; indulgin' freely in ripartee an other
little things, till finally l says: My friend
are you lookin' to be savedF an then he says
he wasn't thinkin' about himself, but he reck-
oned he'd hev to keep his eye Oh his horse so
long as | was about, if he wanted to save
him. Then Mirandy laughed, so turned to
her an l says: 1t would seem as if that
young mans been poorly brought up; he's
a Mexikin, amt her Well-that's bout all
] distinctly remember now; there's interval
in my life where all is naught." Here the
Don made an attempt to smile that was lost
in the swelling of his cheek. ''Th' only way
you can be free with any one in this country
is to get tn drop on him. reckon won't
go there so often after this"
And freq. } Z day his visits ceased alto
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