Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-10-13
A LEGEND or SONORA.
MISS Hi,dcgarde Hawthorne In "Uarper's
Magazine for October.

Two persons, n man and a woman. faced
sach other under o clump Of live oaks.
Hard 10y were visible tho walls Of An adobe
house crumbling with age. The sun was
setting; slight breeze stirred in the
dark branches of the trees, which alI
through the hot Mexican dqy had been
motloniess. The woman was dark and
small. with large eyes and graceful
body; tho man swarthy vaQuero. in Sc
tape and somhrero.
And you heard him say-that ?" said
she.
Yes. senorita. He said. L love vou 7
love Won twice. Ike that. And then be
kissed her"
- Al. he kissed her. Anything elye?r
Tins He handed her slip of folded
paper. II contained woman's name. n
low words oi passion. and n signature. As
the senoTlta's eyes phrused IL they con.
tracted. and she drew IN LONG breath.
The yaquero watched her kccnly. II
fonnd 1t III the arbor after they had gone. "
sand he.
She looked away dreamilv. Thank
Won. thank yon. MaZcppa.' she murmnred.
1t Is late. must 10 IN now. Adios. Ma
zeppa y She turned and moving slowly.
vanished behind corner OF tho adobe
house.
Tho vaQuero remained motionless until
.'-'N w. RtA ~ kin. ilfU lif pressed ms
hands - his hips and flung them out to-
wards her with passionate gesture. The
next moment he had mounted his horse
| and was gone.
An hour passed. Again the sound of
hoofs. A handsome Young senior. iauntily
attred. galloped up to the door Of the
house and, sprinrnE from the saddle.
hitcheo his rem over large hook PROJECT
ins from the wall. "liola Mnria, little
one he callolout in rich. Joyous voice.
"Whoie Is nv little Marla:'
The scnorita appeared. smiling. She
was N white, with "a rebosO drawn around
her delicate face. She bore n twO-handled
silver cup, curiOuslv chased. See" she
SAID. have brought you some wine
SUcn long rdo Just to see me-" She
Mas holding out tho cup towards him, but
A. lac WAS about t. receive Il she drew 1t
back suddenly. She was pale: Der eyes
.tiered. " |. too. am thirsty she said
She hitcd the cup 10 her hps and took a
deep dgaush, Now. YOU shall finish 1t, ;
she added. handing 1t t. him.
IL J, q led 10 her la1ghinsly. " To oul
love-. y d. said. and drained It. But how
strangely you look at me, little one." he
exclaimed. as b" set tho cup down and
caught as breath. Is anything wrong: 81
All Is wel.' she answered. o. am
happy. Aye You happy
4 bNt v .tA YOU, am uOl
She pu, her hand IN his. Let us never
bee parted any norc,' she SAID. Come;
We'll walk u the hilltop and sec the moon
rise
Hand in hand. they sauntered along the
! path M the bare hillside. On and on they
Wi, d. slowly. slowly. Maria gave a little
gap and glanced with dliated eyes al her
lover. He smiled family and tired TO draw
her towards HIM. but somehow did not
and still they moved slowly on their way
The hilltop seemed strangely far of
Maria pressed forward, grasping her lovers
hand. What made the distance seem SC
long; Surely. il was bat stroll OF ten
minutes Vet 1t was as though they hal
boon walking IN hour-a year-many
years.
Down the hillside path came a horse
man, riding quietly AID hummlng a love
song. Tie was close upon the two fgures
before ne appeared 10 be aware of them
They half stopped as If 10 speak 20 him.
The horse shivored and plunged. The
rider stared at the couple but an instant
then, driving home his spurs, sprang past
them.
Mother Of God !" he faltered. crossing
I himself as he threw backward glance NJ
the path. on which nothing was now WISH
be. 1.-The ghosts The little girl who
they Say down below. poisoned hersel!
and her lover fifty years ago."