Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1891-08-29
erto returna shall be the first 10 ses

berto returnA I shall be the Arst to see
him"
Don Roberto had not received . lettel
rom Amata for nix months, but know
he had no reason for anxiety - the mail
service was sadly imperfect
| His business was now completed r.
his satisfaction, and his spirits rose -
he journeyed to the west coast to take
q orth-bound ship.
The voyage was pleasant, and early
one morning the ship entered the harbol
at San Pedro.
He hired horse and was soon gal.
Looping over the shortest road to Amata'a
home.
! As he paused to water his horse in
the village several of his acauaintancea
gathered about to welcome him.
Soon Lucia appeared clad In her
most becoming dress, aud clasping
hands with him, laughingly remarked.
"Oh, Senior, your journey to the great
city has made You fine gentleman, but
you had best stop to brush away the
dust or Senorita Amata will compare
Won to the elegant Senior Casper"
Roberto flushed angrily and de-
manded. "why should you speak in
this fashion? Have you again quar-
relied with him?"
@Senor Casper, is no friend of mine, y
she replied. @But am sorry for you,
Don Roberto"
Some of the by-standers laughed at
this.
Hold my horse, will your" he said
to q boy near him. Then drawing
Lucia aside, he demanded, what do
do you near ?" Her manner changed
instantly, and he thought there were
tears in her eyes.
Perhaps I was wrong in speaking
thus, but wished to prepare you for
the meeting.
Senior Casper rode up to her house
this morning and suppose is now
there. He often rides that way, and
they whispered together nearly every
Sunday after mass"
Roberto's face grew ashy and stern.
Are you sure of this?" he asked.
"You may go and see for yourself, ="
she replied.
While they were talking she walked
up the street, and now stood in the ar.
Dor in her fathers yard. Then the lit
tie hypocrite began to sob and tremble
and to declare that he would forever
hate her as the bearer of evil tidings,
and that she only told him because it
would be harder to hear it from the
men in the street.
When woman cries man Is either
angry or distressed. And Don Roberto
was not angry. So he took her hand
and tried to soothe her; then rose say
ing, II shall go to my rancho for few
days until have thought it over"
when you return to the village, I"
she said, ''call for few moments, I
have something more to tell you.
He urged to hear it now, but she de-
clared she had not strength to say more
and added, "You have suffered enough
already, Den Roberto" And in parting
gave him look that would have stirred
the pulses of less susceptible man.
After three days he resolved to visit
Amata and assure himself that it all
was a cruel mistake. But unfortunately
he stopped to call on Lucia.
She saw him coming in the distance,
and hastily calling the man servant,
she induced him to go to Senior Cas-
per's room, as he was absent for the day
in another town, and to take therefrom
q stilletto on which his name was en-
graved, and which he carried in his
belt on festive occasions. @Then," she
added, @ride quickly to the door of
Senorita Amata and drop this unob.
served while you ask for q glass of
water. Do it well, return by another
road and I will give You large purse
if you keep the secret"
He bowed, yes, miss, you are very
kind"
He had just gone when Roberto en-
tered. This time she was still more
adroit in poisining his mind against
Amata.
When he rose to go the servant was
well out of sight up the road and he did
not meet him.
Lucia's plot was successful.
When Roberto tied his horse before
Amata's door and turned to knock, he
saw the stilletto cleaning among the
flowers. Ticking it up, he concealed it,
and, with heart full of bitterness, met
Amata with reproaches.
She did not comprehend them, and
he, supposing her COMPOUNDED by shame,
did not wait for explanation, but rode
away as though pursued by the furies.
The next day he met Casper on the
street and accused him of treschery.
Gaspar, half guessing the cause, and
willing to do him an Ill turn. laughed
in boastful manner that confirmed his
worst fears
Then Don Roberto went to San Fran
cisco for few months. And when be
returned, somewhat the worse for dissi.
patton, he fell prey to LUCAS wiles.
And soon the report was abroad tina.
they were to b married in June.
Amata's father grew worse and w
confined to his bed. Her devotion VA
untiring and she seldom left tho house
i The shopping was done by the Old
servant One day in April she returned
from the village with the report ol
| Ro1,>rkos. auno S,ounanA s~<oyn,,avS>a ~