The morning call., 1890-05-26

and found comfort in the act. ran out
side the church into the hot dry air. l
walked upon plant with cruel thorns.
ciasped one to my breast, where the golden
roses hung withered until my white dress
bore marks of its cruel impress.
was so absorbed IN my grief that did
not hear the sound of approaching wheels,
until carriage swept around the church.
driving. DR.. Warner jumped from the car
rage and spoke very kindly, never appear
ing TO notice my f0rlorn aspect, and said: Il
nave never been inside this grand old
church which you love 50 well. viii you
show it to me?" Like some penitent l led
the way. We paused before the pictures
rare and old, Of saints and angels and mar
tyrs.
averted my face as Dr. Warner looked
upon st. Cecilia. Suddenly he said 10 me !:
why did you leave us so abruptly. and
why did | find you walking on the cruel
thorns, with only your slippers to protect
your fee? ?"
looked down and said was-l was play
ing penitent.
We had paused before the Madonna. The
Mother and Holy Child looked lovingly but
reproachfully on me | fancied. There was
trem9r in my voice, but answered almost
defantly: You all left me. wanted to
slt next to you at the table,; then my tears
ieli last and l put the small lace-bordered
handkerchief, which l had chosen in the
party, to my eyes.
His voice was kindly and l felt sure his
eyes grew tender as he said: "Your father
ana motner were engaged in their duties as
most and hostess, and | a few weeks ago re-
celVeu latter from my old friend Mr., Bell
VINO IN the spring Is to marry Miss Ames
lmy heart beat joyfully), asking me to make
her visit here pleasant. You are too i'm
pulslve,, Chiquiriquita. Your father and
mother love you, and l."
AT this ha al. A.
pushed open, and ON the stone floor was
the sound of awkward, uneven steps. They
approached quickly; my handkerchief was
removed from my. eyes; lopened them III
Tune to see John" swallow it.
lie craned his long neck, and brought
nrst one and then the other OF his small
Dlack eyes to bear on me, then on DIR.
Warner, as much as to say "What is the
trouble :? 1t was so funny that we both
merry. was very happy. 81 had forgot
ten Ter few moments what brought me
here" said DR.. Warner; "the Indians are
on the warpath. About o'clock this even
ing party of soldiers is going in pursuit of
them. | accompany them" He led ME to
the carriage, helped me in. and took a seat
beside me. John seated himself beside
MlchaeI, and we rode hOmeward.
TASTY preparations were being made at
the garrison when we reached there.
Az o CLOCK that evening the soldiers,
accompanied by their surgeon, left. | had
listened attentiyely as to the route the SOL
dlers were to take. When the sound of the
retTeatlng horses had died away | turned
TO NanO, Mexican boy, and said: Saddle
my TWO ponies, and you and l will have a
ride"
Nano joyfully did as babe him. In half
an hour we were riding away.
Alter the heat of the day how grateful
the cool evening! Flowers folded away
from the sun, children of the sand, opened
their eyes to me. Nano and | rode along
in silence.
Through my mind floated MANY times:
Your father and mother love you, and p
what did he mean? Was it possible that
he loved me? Why had dear old John come
Just at that moment? Should | ever hear
that sentence finished? Then | Thought of
the cruel indians. In my life on the Dor
deriand L had seen many brought home
slain by our dusky neghbors The full
moon was shining. Nano interrupted my
musings by saying that the huge cacti
looked like giants and he wished he could
XIII one or two with his knife.
The wind, which was blowing AWAY from
us, suddenly veered. l heard distinctly the
sound of the horses bearing our soldiers.
/ hey were quite near us, but going from us.
l bent my face upon. my pony's neck and
said little prayer for their safety, then
said to Nano, as looked at my watch and
found 1t was 10 o'clock: at is time to re-
turn" As l was wheeling Brownie. NV
pony, around, l grew faint with terror at
what | saw. From behind the tall cacti
sprang at least dozen Indians. Like
demons they looked in their war paint and
feathers. They had knives and clubs and
strengthening objects dangling from their
belts. They dragged Nano from his pony
and then L felt myself torn from Brownie.
had ciasped my arms around her neck.
There were few dry, wretched trees
growing out of the sand
lhey tied NanO to one with strong leather
bands. Then they tied me to another. The
moon looked cOldly, calmly down right in
my agoniZed face.
The Indians gathered drv twips and
leaves and grass and laid them about NV
feet.
After one wild cry Nano was silent. I
think he tainted. In the moment of terror,
when expected soon to pass through the
fearful gateway of fire, l thought of father
and mother, of dear old John, but nearest
and dearest of all, thought of the blue
gray eyes dearer to me than all other eyes,
The Indians. sure of their victims, left us
to gather fuel Tor the sacrifice
Inc Inconstant moon never cried out
TO save me, tut the tickle, fitful wind came
screaming and shrieking from the desert
and cried out this shall not be-" 1t
famed the pale dark cheek of Nano IL
earessed my forehead and gave me last
iona KISS. saw an Indian approach with
wind gave one terrible blast 1t tossed nv
long black hair, which had fallen all about
me, away
The moon gave loving intense glance. |
saw the torch fall from the Indians hand,
| saw the Indians all fall on their faces be-
fore me. Then l knew that the wind and
moon had shown them the Indian necklace
with its crescent and blaring sun. l seized
my, ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS until now. l fired,
anu on JOY | heard answering shots and
trampllnR of horses. The Indians. as If by
magic, had vanished. l was surrounded bv
friends. The bluc-gray eyes looked in
mine. heard the words "Chiquirquita, I
love you" FROM DIR. Warmers lips, and the
hnala Won may gness dear RAIDER