Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-03-26

| spent nve peaceful, happy years. She
sometimes made visits home, where sEe was
| always treated as a superior being. Little al
she had known them: she seemed to feel for
her father, for her young brothers and for the
go"d, devoted woman who was her stepmother
| a genuine affection.
| supper over, Jurillo found his favorite seat
on a bench under certain broad-leaved
eucalyptus.
Come, my daughter" he called to Lucia:
| come and sit beside me, as your mother used
In the evenings of other years. The air Is cooi
| and sweet and the sunset is royal tonight
| she came presently: bringing his ngnseo
pipe, drawing at it q little she walked, to
keep 1t aglow.
| Thanks, nv flower Of Spain" he said. TAX
ing it from her hand. THE smoke pleasures
me unspeakably when your lips have touched
/ the mouth piece"
| She seated herself beside him. in her white
dress, with its dainty garnitures of velvet and
| lace Never was contrast of appearance
greater than tina: between this goddess-like
girl and the rough-visaged father, in his coarse
clothing and heavy boots.
| Jurillos talk turned upon his wrongs. IL
was not enough that the timber thieves were
cutting off the forests in the mountains, thus
diminishing the rainfall and the river, but
these Americans must come and turn 1t out OF
Its course.
Have you ever visited their town OF Hedge
way. fatherI' asked Lucia
Never, but know all about it. Narrow.
tlpsy houses, their sides so thin that they neat
through like ovens, and so poorly put together
that n norther from the desert woull I'LL them
with sand, and a baby earthquake could throw
them over like TOYS. And the people-so grasp
ing and SO restless. Treating their homes
with less respect than an Arab does MS
tent-leaving them to stay on the sea-
shore or In the city. at some mountain
spring where one of their kind has built
tawdry hotel and filed it with vulgar walters
and drinking cups thick on the edges as
horse trough, All, l like them not to come
here advising me on my own ground!
How much land do you own here?' asked
the girl, presently.
survey has been made. The Meras, Juan Modal
and pay taxes on 500 acres. 1t makes no diff
ference TO us just where the lines are. The
sheep and cattle cross them without knowing
1t and the alflaria tastes just the same. We
have lived together In peace and love for years,
and the stranger is always our enemy"
Three or four days passed. One afternoon
old Batty gave the youngest child his bath, and
Lucia took him out to the hammock under the
pepper trees aud swung with him until they
were both asleep in the great net. Lucia in her
yellow-white dress. and little Luis, plump and
brown and naked. save the swaddling cloth
about his hips A lynx robe cushioned the
hempen meshes of their swinging bed, over one
side OF which hung the dainty skirts and a
snppered foot OF the unconscious girl. She
did not hear the sound of approaching hoof
beats; did not wake even when they stopped
within few yards of her resting place.
Iarnsey, for it was he, dismouned, and
traced his way among tine trees toward the
Kitchen door. He did not see the hammock
TILL he was beside it. II she had opened her
eyes just then he could not have moved-could
not instantly have changed his look of passion
ate admiration. But she did not wake; and
after tarrying only long enough to fix the
sweet picture in his thoughts Tarnsey passed
on to the open door
The rancheros dark-browed wife turned
from her work, at his softly spoken "Buenos
dias." She gave him stool near the door.
and took another herself. Old Batty at the
table went on arranging layers Of split carrots
and milk -swelled rice in u baking dish. Tarn-
sey asked for Jurillo, and was told that he had
gone to San Diego to sell some colts. and would
be absent for a week from the day he started.
The young man reflected In silence awhile
taking in the quaint interior with its cool. half
lights; the brown beams and benches, the brass
vessels on the wall, the red earthern water
ollas of Indian make, and the smooth clay
floor. over which plump fowl was placidly
stepping and picking.
Your husband will come home on Friday9"
ne said to the woman, whose knowledge of
English was very limited.
He comes on Friday" she repeated.
Tell him will come again on Saturday.
Tell him also that l come as friend who
wishes him well. / esteem you all and enter
into your feelings about the river. wish to
talk with Jurillo as brother to brother, without
selfshness. Do you understand? Will you tell
him that!''
Unconsciously he had fallen into a manner
simple and intense as was the manner of these
people themselves. - Monica Juriiio did not
catch his full meaning, but Lucia did. The
sound OF voices had awakened her. Leaving the
baby still asleep she had risen and approached
the door. Tarnsey sat with his back toward it.
He leaned forward, with his elbows on his
knees. his gloved hands bending his riding
whip into coil as he talked. His hat Law on
the ground beside him and his uncovered head
was that OF a male blonde Of the purest type.
fair man was always a wonder to Lucia. She
telt a curious wish to look at him covertly q
long time.
When he rose to go Lucia stood before him.
graceful and easy. She returned his bow say
ing at the same moment:
My stepmother does not understand or
speak English well, senor but will remember
and tell my father all you have said"
He bowed again and thanked her: then went
away with a strange elation at his heart.
On Saturday he made the promised visit but
found the Mexican in hardened mood lyon
need not fear trouble at my hands, YOU men
OF Hedgeway,' he said In a tone OF bitter mel
ancholy; Il have talked again with nv friends
and we have concluded we dare not 90 to law.
You would defeat us-if not this year, then the
next lou have the wealth. and skill We are
poor and simple"
We should certainly try to defeat you, for
We have a noble end in view," said Tarnsey.
Our plan Is to extend our canal till the entire
valley Is fertilized and made capable Of sus-
tanning population of so 900 people"
May L be dead. before SO many Of your
people come heret' said the native
For an hour they discussed the question of
riparian rights in all its aspects Tarnsey stroye
to show the merits of the unwrittenlaw, which
has long prevailed throughout California, ac-
cording to which the waters of streams not ris-
ing upon or wholly included in lands under
private ownership are subject to appropriation
by the people for irrigating, mining or other
benehcent purposes. This law said he
has received the sanction OF custom for wears:
1t will soon. trust, receive the sanction of the
legislature"
Yes, said Jurillo; while was away heard
much about anti-riparian clubs and associa-
tions- 1t Is In the politics now. l can do
nothing My animals can drink awhile longer
NJ the Santa Inez, then the river goes dry and
we perish" -,
Nonsense, man ~ said Tarnsey impatientlv.
the river wall never be lower than it is now
new ditch made upon correct princi-
pies, from point can show you within ten
minutes walk from your door, would irripate
all this group OF farms, making them worth thou
sands where they are not worth hundreds IA
second resource. you have a strong unfailine
spring In that nest of buttes over there Then
too. this Is all artesian well land and Cantain
Scott and have been talking Of coming down
here and helping you disaffected people In ain 4
such a well, just to show you what it will do. !"
The Mexican took his pipe from his Inns and