San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-12-05


simply. where are you goingw
II do not know Anywhere am
going now to those mountains" point
ing to the distant line of hills.
But you will first come with me?
You must rest until it is cooler. No
body travels here in the heat of the
day; it would kill you. You must
come and eat with us, and then we can
give you horse to continue your jour
ney, and tell you how TO go. Por mis-
ericordia de Dios! To think of walk
ing!"
Il thank you, no. must 60 on"
I'm the heat? You will die. You
must come with me. The father and
mother will welcome you. wish you
to come"
He looked at her closely for the first
time, and then he wondered why he
had not noticed her beauty before
She was dark, with that Spanish COM
pleXion through which the warm blood
showed with a rich color, frightening
the brilliancy of her lustrous black eyes,
which lighted up her whole face with
tender, trusting expression. Her
raven hair hung in masses upon her
shoulders, and as she leaned forward
with cOnfding, entreating gesture he
thought he had never seen so beauti-
full a woman.
II will come" he said briefly, and as
she turned her horse in the direction of
her home, he walked on by her side
So they journeyed in silence for time
~ must thank you for saving my
lie, " he said at length. They would
surely have killed me, and you ran
great risk yourself"
''If you had shot at them l could
not have turned them away" she an
swered. They would have been an
cry. You should not have walked
here. They do not attack one who
rides, but when you walk they will kill
you"
Before long they came in sight of
the hacienda, long, low adobe house,
upon a fat with neither tree nor shrub
near, but upon one side the steep spurs
of the range of hills came almost to the
house, forming deep canyons.
The old folks received him kindly,
listened gravely to the story of his ad
venture, and then showed him to an
apartment in the house where he might
rest until his meal was prepared. But
he was in no mood to rest. The in
dolent Spanish customs suited him but
i'll, for he was unaccustOmed to the
heat of the weather and the habits
that it necessitated. Besides his mind
was far from easy. He was of quiet
disposition naturally, and loved soil
tude. His long, weary journey from
the settlements of the north had been
undertaken mainly to satisfy his rest
less nature, and TO carry him away
from where he would be in the society
of men. His impulse, even while
prompted by gratitude to the girl for
the service she had rendered him, was
to retreat from the settlement where
he would again be thrown into inter
course with his fellow men. But she
exercised a strange fascination over
him, and though he would not confess
it even to himself, it was to be near
her, to feast his eyes upon her beauty,
that he had accepted her invitation.
1t was with a pleasing fiction by
which he only half deceived himself,
therefore, that he now sought the low
veranda in front of the house, ito
enjoy the fresh air outside"
"Josefa is preparing a little supper
for YOU" explained the old man, as he
sat putting cigarette.
The stranger seated hin0lf near the
door, where he might see the 1.-the,
slender figure of the girl as she fitted
about inside, produced a pipe after
having refused a proffered cigarette,
and was soon entertaining the old man
with stories of his adventures among
Indians and wild beasts. The Mexican
listened gravely, only half understand
ing the illusions of his guest to unfa-
miliar localities and customs, yet re-
framing from asking questions, lest he
might seem inquisitive about the Wis
itor's antecedents.
Soon Josefa, having finished her
preparations inside, came and stood by
her father, and the stranger found
fresh enthusiasm for his narrative in
her evident admiring interest.
The afternoon shadows lenrthened