Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1891-12-19

The soundness of his constitution soon
asserted itself The fever yielded after
q few days, and the wound began to heal
in satisfactory manner. But he was
exceedingly weak, and it was only with
Ramon's assistance that he could walk
from his bed to the couch by the window,
where he had now lain for two days, in
haling the fresh. delicious air as it came
to him over leagues of space, and feast
ing his gaze on the wide, beautiful
scene. With returning strength came a
deep sense of gratitude for the wonder
full chance which had thrown him into
such kindly hands and brought him to
this charming place
1t is not to be supposed that among
elements Of pleasure around him he ig-
nored the probability of seeing again the
beautiful face that had SO attracted him
in the Alameda of Mexico and the plaza
of Guadalajara But illness dulls all
emotions save those of pain, and when
pain ceases, this in itself is pleasure
enough for time. AS he grew better
he wondered little if Dona Zarifa was
at the hacienda: bnt no one had men
toned her name. and, had his interest
been much keener than it was, he would
still have felt that it was not fitting for
him to make any inquiry ca the subject.
| But in fact his interest was not very
| keen; and. although the idea of meeting
her was pleasant prospect, he would
not have been very much disappointed
| IA tip,, At fnlh lal
While hewas lying wondering little
| how he should communicate the news OF
| his accident to his mother, the door softly
opened, and Ramon entered. he was
slender, handsome young fellow, with
1.-THE Indian form well set off by tight
fitting trousers and short jacket, He
wore sandals on his feet and moved
uoiselessly across the floor. Don Mau-
rizio, senor." he said, wishes to know if
you feel able to see him"
The question had been asked so often
before that Derwent was perfectly fainil
FAR with it, and he answered in the for
mula that he had learned, Certainly
Beg Don Maurizio to enter"
Ramon smiled approvingly, moved a
deep armchair near the couch, and then.
retiring, returned after a moment, ush-
ering in the tall. stately form Of his
master
How are you feeling today, MIR
Derwent;" asked that gentleman with a
! cordial smile as he crossed the room and
sat down in the chair arranged for him.
IL am sorry to be rather late in making
| the inquiry. but the doctor gave good
report of you this morning and | have
| been far ont on the hacienda today. My
daughter accompanied me, and she is so
devoted to riding that we made circuit
of at least thirty miles"
1t was the first time that he had men,
toned his daughter, and Derwent felt a
certain thrill of interest at the name; but
he only replied that he was feeling much
better, and was, he thought, gaining
strength rapidly. "How could it be
otherwise" he added, "in such delight
full quarters and with such admirable
care? do not know how | am ever to
express to you, senior, my deep obligation
for your great kindness"
"The kindness on my part is really
nothing said Don Maurizio. 81 am
sincerely glad to have been able to be OF
service to you and to see You improving
so fast. But am sorry to tell you that
the mystery of your shooting remains q
mystery still, The government officials
have been making diligent efforts to find
the robber, but there is no clew as yet.
And, meanwhile, | regret to say that
your companion Fernandez does not hesi-
tate to accuse Senior Barrera of the out
rage"
"What ground has he for the charger
asked Derwent.
"Only his own enmity, in my opinion,
replied Don Maurizio; 'but he says that
Barrera uttered threats against the whole
party when he was at the mine, and this
assertion Aranda-who is Fernandez
tool-corroborates Unfortunately. not
having any knowledge Of Spanish, you
cannot tell what passed"
mo" said Derwent, regretfully, ii
cannot tell, further than this, that If
Senior Barrera made any threats-and il
is likely enough that he did, for he was
a very angry man-they were directed
against the others and not, am sure,
against me-"
hernandez affirms that he included
you, as probable purchaser of the mine;
that he went away declaring that no one
should buy the Buena Esperanza and
live, and that his intention in shooting
you was to inspire terror, and prevent
the possibility of selling the mine to any
one else."
Derwent lay back on his cushions, and
was silent for moment. Then he said
slowly: II have been trying to bring be-
fore me as clearly as possible the appear
ance of the man saw behind the bowlder,
and can most certainly swear that he was