Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1891-10-22

1T is difficult affair to sift." said the
other thoughtfully II will. however
see Barrera and get him TO come and
talk to you S ,mething in the way Of Il
clew NAV be ellclted II il unfortunate
that his enmity TO Fernandez with re-
gard to the Buena Esperanza Is well
known. and il is doubly unfortunate
that he should have gone TO the mine in
that reckless manner'
i should like said Derwent. TO
know the true state of the case between
Fernandez and himself Can you tell
1t to meY
"ln few words. was the reply Fer
nandez as you may imagine from the
character of the man is the plant tool
of the corrupt officials with whom Mexico
is cursed There is no transaction so III
famous that he is not ready to serve as
an instrument in it. and he has therefore
an influence altogether out of proportion
to his real apprehension men fear
him as il is in human nature TO fear
those who have an almost unlimited
power to injure. He has grown rich
from the brides he mas received. both
from those who have something to dread.
and those who have much to gain, from
the government. But Barrera is one
man who has neither feared nor bribed
him. and. since he is well known as an
uncoinpromising opponent of the present
government. he has suffered in conse-
quence. He has been imprisoned on
false charges. mulcted by heavy fines
until his fortune is greatly diminished.
and harassed and prosecuted in lnnnmer-
able ways He is the chief owner OF the
Buena Esperanza. and on this Fernandez
has long been known to have covetous
1 eye. But. aware of the value of the mine.
Barrera has never been willing to sell:
and he was in negotiation with me to
obtain the money to work the mine,
when his son-who is rs iinpetuous and
uncompromising rs hiInself-fell into
trouble with the government. Fernandez
was sent to the father. and. while de-
manding heavy bride for those who
sent him. he demanded also the Buena
Esperanza for himself. Berrera thought
that he had no alternatives he gave the
bond on the mine. and il WAS not until
later that he learned that this had been no
part OF the official bargain. He then de-
manded from Fernandez the return of
the bond which had been obtained by
fraud and falsehood The reply was
conteinptuous refusal Do you wonder
al the anger of the man when he met the
spoiler on his own property
ii only wonder. said Derwent. that
! he held back his hand from shooting him
then and there This | can say for my
self, that had not the faintest doubt as
to which was the honest man and which
the scoundrel when ! saw them face TO
face. told Fernandez that nothing
would induce me TO buy the mine until
was assured that all was straight and
clear regarding the title.
And made deadly enemy. as the re-
suit abundantly proves. said Don Maui
rizio II am more than ever sure that
Fernandez alone is responsible for what
might have been your murder. But 1t
viii be difficult to prove 1t.
Let me regain my strength" cried
Derwent. .and / will make 1t my bust.
ness TO prove 1t.
"Your business. more likely. TO be
shot again. and perhaps with better
aim. said the other mo. you must be
quiet. and leave Barrera and myself to
work ont the matter if possible / will
only ask you to remain here for time.
in order to give your testimony in case
we should be successful In any event
il is necessary that you allow your wound
time To heal thoroughly. II you have
never before been on Mexican hacienda.
| life with us for few weeks will al least
have the attraction Of novelty for you
ut is the best fortune | could have
imagined to have an opportunity to see
how life goes on a Mexican estate" said
Derwent eagerly at is something
have desired from my boyhood. and
really cannot feel much enmity toward
the man who shot me when think of
the result.
IL am delighted TO be able to crafty
YOU said Don Maurizio smiling. land
very glad to offer some counterbalancing
good to atone for the manner in which
you have fallen among thieves. 1t is
settled. then. that You will be my guesr
for some time to come. And now that
You are getting better, you must be
rather lonely in solitary confinement
DO You not think you might make an
effort to join us this evening? My daugh-
ter will be glad to see you"
"You are very kind | shall be happy
TO be allowed to do so: that Is. if u can
manage to put on coat:" for he was at
present clad IN sillsen dressing gown
that Ramon had brought from his mas
ter's wardrobe
You must not think Of putting on a
coat. SAID Don Maurizio. mot. at least
OF putting it on your injured arm Sim
ply button it around you And il you
have nothing large and loose enough
send Ramon for something of mine. We
shall see You then-after dinner. or be-
forey'
After. think. My strength is not
yet that of giant"