The Monitor., 1889-04-05
NO LONGER L MYSTERY.


of the San Joaquin valley, as there is bat
little doubt that the remains were those of
Zarifa Martinique, the daughter Of Jose
Martinique, vino, fifteen years ago, was
sheriff of Fresno county. In a small iron
chest found buried by the side of the
skeleton were several Spanish coins and a
faded photograph which bore the woman's
name
The grave was discovered at the foot Of
a tall redwood tree at the head of the
that had rolled down from the mountains
above. In the trunk OF the redwood were
the initials Z. NJ. and J. r., cut deeply,
and as it seemed, with shalp knife The
remains were taken to San Felipe and
buried in a plot in the cemetery, where
sleep her father, mother and two brothers.
There is romance connected with the
life of Zarifa Martinique that the pioneer
settler of the San joaquin valley never
fails to relate to the visitor. As the story
goes, she was a beautiful girl, with the
grace of an American mother and the heat
of Spanish ancestors in her disposition.
No man in tile San Joaquin valley could
hold the bit in horses mouth with
steadier hand than could Zarifa, and she
rode Ike queen with or without saddle.
She could shoot with the accuracy Of a
practiced marksmaD, and possessed spirit
as fearless as lion. She was perfect
type of the wild western girl, but the in
habitants of San Felipe, among whom she
had been born and reared, loved tie barum-
scarum girl, for there was always bright
smile ON her pretty face, and in her bosom
beat heart as tender and sympathetic as
that of a child.
At the age Of IS years Zarifa was loved
and courted by Octave Merez. Young
Spanish rancher in the valley who had ac-
cumulated a considerable fortune, and her
father was anxious that his only daughter
should become the wife Of Octave, bit
Zarifa, when the subject was broached to
her, angered her father and astonished her
suitor by declaring that her heart had long
ago been given to Jack Raymond, and she
should never marry If she could not be his
wife. Jack Raymond, upon whom the
sheriff daughter had bestowed her affec-
ton, was a handsome fellow, shiftless and
daring, who divided his time between the
gaming table and prospecting for gold
among the hills In the latter pursuit he
was generally successful, in the former he
was always unfortunate, SO that lie man.
aged with but little trouble to keep his
accounts balanced. No one accused Jack
OF being bad at heart, but he was looked
| upon as a fellow absolutely worthless tl
himself and everybody else. Jack and
, Zarifa had met, and between the handsome
, spendthrift and the beautiful girl had
Strung up mutual affection that was
nurse.l until 1T grew to mad infatuation.
When Zarifa's father learned the trend
of his daughters love, he instituted a
series of prosecutions against Jack, in the
nope Of driving him from the country. lie
was frequently thrown into Jail on petty
charges, and as often set free after paying
heavy fine, for the courts were with the
sheriff and the community was prejudieed
f against Jack, SO that it was a hard matter
for him to establish his innocence of any
charge brought against him. But he had
friends in his own class who stood faith
: fully by him.
These prosecutions on the part of hel
father seemed only to strengthen the love
of Zarifa for Jack, and her dislike fol
AIorez grew into open hatred, which exas
perated the young rancher beyond control
and lie swore vengeance on Raymond
openly vowing to shoot him on sight If hi
ever again showed public recognition o
Zarifa. One day, while Jack was seatec
, | by table in saloon eonyersing with
friends, Morez came in much the wors,
! for drink, and recognizing his rival uttered
t an oath, and, drawing his revolver, opened
. fire on him. Jack drew his own pistol aHC
f with unerrng aim sent a bullet through
+ his rivals heart. Knowing his popularity
3 in that community, Jack fled the town
, taking refuge in the mountains, ant
| though diligent search was made for hin
r under the direction of the sheriff, the hid
E ing place of the refugee cauld not be found
Il Zarifa never lost track of her lover. Il
Sulphur Guleh, under the old redwood
r whore her remains were found, the two hae
S met Tor months, and this trysting place haC
( always been kept a secret between them
! Here the two continued TO meet after Jacl
was fugitive from justice. Zarifa owne'
a horse, 4 fiery black animal, the gift 0
e her father, and on this horse she was il
e the habit of taking daily rides through tn
0 valley. So persistently did she continue thi
custom after Jacks disappearance, and s.
long did she remain absent each day, tn
suspicious of her father were aroused, ant
' through carefully following her he one da.
n discovered the tryst, and week later
: with posse Of citizens, managed to cap
tnre Jack, who was taken back in triumph
to San Felipe and lodged in prison.
Zarifa was inconsolable, for she knew
thaS her father would never be Statistic,
e until Jack was dead, and she knew he hat
!, sufficient influence ia that community &
carry out any plan he might form. Sh'
I could see no escape for her lover. tn,
! iail in which be was Imprisoned was care
I fully guarded and she could lend him n'
: I I =