Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1891-08-29
THE STORY OF AMATA.
By MARGARET A. BORLAND.

The old adobe house is . picturesque
ruin, with but two walls standing. The
California tourist may see it standing
near the entrance to q canon in the
mountains southeast of Los Angeles.
In the year 1856 it wac the home OF
Senorita Amats Ceballo, who lived
with An invalid father, devoting herself
to his care. Yet she was not lonely,
for almost every evening when her fa-
Their sat doing or smoking in the vesti.
bulo, and the old woman servant was
occupied by her evening duties, the
pretty Senorita would hear bird call.
ing from the shady stream near the
door and knew her lover waited for
their twilight visit.
The father and the old Sonora knew
it, too. But was not he her movie? and
the laws of propriety were less strict
than in the Spanish cities.
How shall we describe her? Imagine
the most beautiful Spanish girl
you ever saw, having dark melt
ing eyes shaded by long lashes,
with round rosy little mouth,
and complexion of clearest olive
that seemed like dark velvet, and, when
80 perfect as hers is. more charming
than any her fairer sisters may possess.
Thus, at least, was the opinion of Don
Roberto Montiio, who stood beside her
listening to the music of the stream at
their feet.
"Do you know, mi amado, it always
reminds me of youths sound of run
ming water" she said, looking up into
his face.
@To me Also" he replied, ut is our
love song"
As be spoke she observed troubled
expression in his brown eyes, and an
increased air of proud, tender possess
sion as he spread on the ground the
cloak he carried and drew her down to
q seat beside him.
MY heart is heavy" he said. @For
Amata mia, this Is our last visit for
many months.
He saw her lips tremble and felt her
hands clasp tightly about his AS if to
forbid his going.
Then in q voice deepened by emotion
and with lovers tenderness, he told
her that his business demanded his going
to the city of Mexico for an absence of
one and half years. He would leave
his large rancho in the care of q younger
brother, and when he returned his for
tune would be secure, the title to the
land clear, and they could then be mar
ried.
As he explained the details she COM
pretended the necessity of his going, in
order that his estate might be secured
against the Americans who were pour
ing into the country and beginning to
realize the value of land for other pur-
poses than gold digging.
They talked for long time that
evening, for there was much to be said
and many VOWS and promises to be re-
peated. Both knew they should cherish
the thought of these hours through the
lonely evenings to come, and wished to
remember it all-every word and caress,
the sweet sounds about them, the sleepy
song Of the mocking birds in the trees
overhead, the streams music, and over
all the clear, soft moonlight-the Cali.
forris moonlight that reveals even the
color of flower and garment
During his southwark journey the
sound of some running stream otter
brought it all back to him
her loving words, her sweet courage
and her prayer for his safe keeping.
After he had gone to the house to bic
farewell to her father, they parted, Oh,
keeping up bravely until he was out o
eight
Perhaps the interval Of the separa
hon seemed longer to her than to him
for che remained quietly ct home carin(
for her father and spending the leisur'
hours ct her embroidery-the beautiful
Spanish drawn work with which Oh
trimmed garments and household inel
for her wedding day.
Before abe accepted Don Roberto sh
vas the belle of the Spanish town i
the valley below. and he had wooed 70
several months against Senior Gaspaz
whom he still hated, although Amat
vas model Of faithfulness to him. lov
inr him far too we'll TO care for the d
tentions Of other men.
sOan not We again be friendsf Yo'
must feel lonely now Senior GasPa
sid one day meeting her after mas
near the church Of the mission.
sNo,s shs replied, my thoughts q
pleasant company.
He made few similar attempts 70 n
new their former friendship, but Away
with the same result-her .complet
royalty 10 her no vi0.
0aspax's actions were wosched Q
kesn-eyed little Senorita Lucsa Who q
nired Don Roberto and admired seal
moro his fortuna
VERY god, my Ans Ssnorita "a
tAoaghk you refuse him. no doon'
~ shall oonsider you . ptann1n
6owst nsetineA Wait vnM Qsa -