The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1890-08-06

quented only by few lonely alkali
gatherers, who collected the allzali to be
sold to the glass factory aforesaid
In this new way of life he had to shun
Perez as we'll as others, SO that at last
the worthy captain was piqued at the
rebuffs he met with.
''The fact is" said Walter, my guar
dams are little dissatisfied with our
friendship. You know how it is; we
have spoken Of it before. Women will
get whims into their heads. Let each
go his way separately Il little while.
The notion will not last long, and it will
be all for the better for us when it is
over"
The same circunspectiOn was used by
Walter in disposing Of the product he
collected in his watchings A part of
the metal he concealed in the gorge it.
self, part Of it became a growing hoard
at Cruce Vivo, and another part still,
at his home with the unsuspecting Ar
royo ladies; and, finally, one more re-
pository was established at lonely spot
on the alkali whitenened shores Of Lake
Jornada.
During this time no words Of more
than merely friendly import passed be-
tween the pair who should have been
lovers. Walter did not return to that
mood the meaning Of which had seemed
hardly equivocal.
"Ah, WELL" reflected Amy, Il am the
sole confidant Of his secret. [ am his
copartner III 50 great and hazardous an
41,o+ 10 1lo
for the present? When this is over, who
can there be to whom he will owe more
gratitude than to myself? When it is all
over, who knows? Perhaps perhaps"
1t was agreed between them that when
ever Walter was absent he should every
day at certain hour trouble the waters
of the travertine basin, that the effect
might appear in the spring at Las Deli
cias. The actual existence of such
connection had been established by suffi-
Gent trials, and Amy went as often as
pOssible-she could not do so quite with
out fail-to see her basin thus strangely
surge and splash. This singular means
of communication, rude as it was, was
source of much reinsurance to her. By
it she could at least tell his whereabouts,
assume that he was well, and be sure he
thought of her. "Why," she often
sighed, "can not send message to him
alsO?"
The golden flow, according to the best
estimates to be made, was producing
every day many thousand dollars, but
neither Of them could realize this as solid
and tangible value It seemed rather
some game ofsplendid dreams and figures
purely mythical at which they were play
ing.
At last Walter came and mooted
wholly new plan.
II am overpowered with uneasiness;
do not have one moments peace" he
said. "When am away from the Bar
ranca | am constantly tortured by the
fear that the flow has stopped, that some
body else has got access to it, that am
not doing the utmost to secure it, or that
| have been or shall be followed in going
In or out"
It was but too evident in his looks how
mental turmoil and bodily labor were
wearing him out.
''The last time went up by Ell JAS
min met our Senior Jefe Po7itico, with
two evil looking alguazils of office be-
hind him. That country is all in his
district, of course, and he has perfect
right to be there, and he is probably not
spying after my movements, but it gives
me nervous feeling all the same.