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

opened. and Ramon entered. He was a
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
noiselessIy across the floor. Don Mau
rizio, senior. ne said, wishes to know ii
you feel able to see him.
The question had been asked so often
before that Derwent was perfectly fainil
lar with it, and he answered in the for
mula that he had learned. Certainly
Beg Don Maur1zio TO enter
Ramon smiled approvingly. moved a
deep armchair near the couch. and then
retiring, returned after moment, ush-
ering in the tall. stately form of his
| master
How are you feeling today, Mr.
DerwentY" 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 out on the hacienda today. Ny
daughter accompanied me. and she is so
devoted to riding that we made a 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 ii be-
otherwise" he added. lin 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"
1.-The kindness on my part is really
nothing" said Don Maurizio. Il 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 a
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 hest
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.
| "No." 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 We're directed
against the others and not. am sure
| against me"
| hernandez affirms that he included
you, as a probablepurchaser 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 NEST certainly swear that he was
not Senior Barrera. The latter impressed
me so much that should know him
again anywhere.
Unfortunately. that does not help mat.
tiers, said Don Maurizio. hernandez
does not pretend that Barrera shot you
himself. but he declares his belief that
he had it done and that the robbery was
a blind-not to deceive him. but the gov
eminent.
HE is more likely to have had it done
HIMSELF" cried Derwent impetuously
without pausing to consider his words
Don Maurizio's eyes met and held his
with flash "You have spoken. my own
suspicion" he said II should not have
spoken it, because have no knowledge
of how long you have known Senior Fer
nandez. nor what your degree of init
macy with him may be. Bnt certainly
suspect him OF plot to injure Barrera
and at the same time revenge himself ON
you for your refusal to buy the mine
know he said, answering look on
DtIWcnl ; idCc. liidl TINS oOuluS 10 YOU
very melodramatic. but you must re-
member that we are primitive peo,le
in Mexico. that we love and hate with
good deal of intensity. aud that things
as strange as this Of which speak are
of sufficiently common occurrence among
us"
Il am sure. said Derwent. that Fer
nandez is very vindictive man. and
suspect that he is also an INSCRIPTIONS
one But it requires time to arrange a
plot such as You suspect; and what time
had he."
"You spent the night at a ranch which
belongs to Amanda The matter might
easily have been arranged there do
not say it WAS. but it might have been
It certainly afforded him an admirable
opportunity to achieve a double revenge
to punish You and throw stigma on
Barrera which he may never be able to