Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1891-10-15
But Amanda thinks it may be

the other owner OF TIE mlue-lue ldh
told Won OF who Is dissatisfied with the
bargain. If II should prove to be so do
not trouble yourself about the matter. |
can manage him. and he has no power
70 do anything.
There was minutes further suspense.
and then. emerging from the green foli-
age at the head of the canada, came a
powerful black horse. ridden by mid
die aged Mexican who. in his pictur-
esque buckskin dress and his broad SOM
brero overshadowing strongly marked
face. with the dark flashing eye OF an
eagle, was by far the most imposing fig
ure Derweut had yet beheld Hand
somer men he nad seen. but none who
impressed him more by an individuality
derived from long line of warlike and
untamed ancestors. II wonder how
many Indian chiefs with strain Of the
Spanish hidalgo. have gone to make this
man what he isl he thought. with a
thrill of irrepressible admiration. 81
multaneously with the appearance OF the
rider he found his sympathy enlisted ON
his side, and said TO himself that the old
fatle of the hon and the fox had found
another realization. when the newcomer
disinounted and. str1ding forward. met
Fernandez.
Whether he came in peace or war was
question that no one would have found
need TO ask The first sound of his deep
toned voice was enough to show that he
was animated by wrath that did not
1t seemed 10 Drrwent, standing by with
intelligence alert and obseryant. that the
character of each man was more clearly
revealed to him by manner because he
did not understand the language they
spoke The indignant wrath of the new
conner was not more evident than the
insulting defiance of Fernandez. Ii he
did not repeat IN words that he held the
man before him powerless in his hand,
his manner expressed II AS plainly as
speech aud there was n searching power
to exasperate IN his few. quiet sentences.
Presently Senior Barrera turned and
accosted Derwent. asking courteously if
he spoke Spanish With very sincere
regret the young man answered that he
did not; and then. taxing a sudden reso-
ton. he addressed Fernandez what
does this man wish to say to mey' he
asked. If it concerns the purchase Of
the mine, have night to know"
"ile wishes to tell you. replied Fer.
nandez. that he has changed his mind
about selling ii at the prlce named But
this is childs play He has signed the
bond and has no right to interfere at all
in the matter
HAS he not sense enough to know
that
Who can say? You may see for your-
self that he Is "a passionate foOl-the kind
of man TO run his head against rock
And now and then he finds rock of
particular hardness. he added grimly.
Derwent did not reply at once He
could not say what he distinctly thought
"You are deceiving me This man is no
fool. and there is more in the matter
than you pretend But he decided that
he would waive the purchase of the
Buena Esperanza for the present. The
counsel and direction which he had de
sired few minutes before had come TO |
him most unexpectedly He had dis |
trusted Fernandez vaguely from the |
first He now determined that he would |
take nothing through his hands. for he
felt sure that the faint Of fraud would |
be upon it. Entirely ignorant though he
was of the point at issue between the
two men before him. he was neverthe
less certain that Barrera was an honest
man and Fernandez scoundrel After
a short pause he spoke with decision |
of manner that could not be mistaken
BE kind enough to say tor me To the
gentleman that he may set his mind at
rest SO far as am concerned shall
not buy the Buena Esperanza until am
assured that there Is harmony among |
the sellers wish to take no mans prop
erty against his will Further. | object
to having the price Of the mine doubled
upon me. as you have doubled it within
the last half hour We will therefore say
nothing more at present of purchase.
Fernandez turned sharply and looked
at him with light in his eyes that was
altogether evil DO you really mean
thisgr he demanded DO you intend.
after all my trouble and expense. to re-
fuse to take the miner
Il regret your trouble, but it was
taken. believe. in the line of business"
answered Derwent Your expense
will reimburse But ! shall certainly
not take the mine with the passionate
opposition of one of its owners"
This man has no power to harm you
| will warrant that"
But it seems that ! have power to
harm him by taking his property against
his wishes That will not do unless
know something of the history of the
bond that he evidently repudiates
Frankly. there is look about this thing
that do not like. and | will not touch
it.
Il should have taken care to keep this
fool away if had imagined that his
mere appearance would intimidate you
so completely. said Fernandez with