Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-08-13

thee, that l have had to run the pueblo over to
find thee, Good for nothing And my feet SO
bad and the evil in my back, while thou vast
dancing and pluming 1t with the bravest.
Madre de Dios, ungrateful one! Get thee to
thy needle,''
The girl shrugged her shoulders, which rose,
smooth and creamy, from the snowy camisa,
below which the red bodice cIasped closely the
shapely waist, and. deigning no other answer,
took from a stool a gay reboso. wrapping it
gracefully about her head and shoulders, half
yelling the charming face.
The old woman sprang from her seat and
hobbled across the room. her eyes cleaning
angrily. Shameless one, Well vast thou named
Florinds. like her OF old Heardst thou not my
commando" she cried. clutching the round
shoulder with her talon-lke fingers.
Isl sonora" answered the girl in low voice,
as she slipped from the OBTAINING grasp. "Ibut
go to vespers, as Padre Tomas desired all who
would be confirmed next saints day
La Vega paused. baffled. shaking her head
angrily. Isl, 81, siempre ell Padre Tomas. Go
then, but return promptly"
With mocking smile on her lips the girl
opened the door and sped away. In the church
the padre was informing the service to few
shawl-draped devotees. Florinda did not push
forward into the circle of light cast by the
Pickering candles, but quietly slipped into
place behind her fellow worshipers, and
kneeling, whispered the responses mechanically.
as she watched with furtive eyes the entrance
door. Soon a masculine form appeared, the
sombrero held reverently at the side, as With
cat-like tread the new conner, unnoticed by all
save Florinda. took his place by her side.
.'Forinda, mi vida my life)" he whispered
softly.
why art thou no. at the bale Cba1D?''
questioned the girl with a coquettish glance
from under the reboso.
What is the fiesta without thee, mi corazou
(heart)?" he asked reproachfuiiy. 81 await
the dance with thee to break the cascarones
(egg shells filled with bits of gay paper on thy
dear head"
Ia yieja Manuela will not hear Of nv re-
turn thither," whispered the girl peevishly;
but. silence, the padra observes" and she
bent her head devoutly.
The services were soon over and the moment
the benediction was given Florinda hurried
away, followed closely by her caballero Out
side in the friendly darkness he drew nearer to
her. As all travel. even Of the late worshipers
took the direction of the house Of feasting, the
lovers had their path to themselves.
''Querida mia (rny darling)." he whispered,
tenderly slipping his arm about her dainty
waist lis it not better to be the wife Of Martin
Flores than the slave Of La Vieja Manuela?
Leave her and come with me, who loves thee
truly Speak but the word, luz de mi alma
Eight Of my SOUL, and will carry thee away to
happiness and love-" Florinda listened in
silence. with downbent head so furiously was
her heart beating she could Scarcely hear his
words, and she wondered if he did not feel its
heavy strokes against the hand that clasped her
waist
When he paused for an answer she lifted her
head and faltered. But the Dona Maria and
the Dona Isidora"-belles Of the place with
whom society gossip had connected his name.
What care l for them?'' he cried hotly
Thou art the only one, nina mia. Give me
thy promise to meet me under the sycamore
tree by the Also crossing tomorrow night and
L Will carry thee away to happiness
What VIII ell Padre Tomas say?" questioned
the girl doubtfully.
There are other padres, querida; say naught
to him or any one else, and by noon next day
shalt thou be my wife. Let thv heart choose
chiqmta little one)- l go tomorrow. Wilt
thou let me go alone. l have ALWAYS been
alone. Must it be so all nv life long?" he added
sadly. ''See, let thee CO." He released her
and drew little apart. ''Come with thv whole
heart. mi vida, or come not at all
For moment she stood with clasped hands
and downbent eyes; then, with soft cry,
turned and cast herself into his arms that
opened SO willingly to receive her.
As he held her closely. whispering words of
tenderest endearment, La Vieja Manuela' S
shrill voice sounded from her doorway near by:
'Fiorinda, Florinda,''
The lovers sprang apart Then remembering
that the darkness effectually hid them again
drew near each other.
Thou hast promised and wilt surely Como"
he asked anxiously.
Isl, senor," she Lreathed softly.
I'm besito, mi corazon Zone kiss, my heart, ~
he pleaded eagerly.
There was the faint sound of kiss, then the
patter. patter of the girls little slippers as she
fled away to the irate dame.
The next day Sheriff Johns was closeted with
brother officer from the north, who had ar
rived in Los Angeles in the early morning.
"Of course, Scott you shall have every assist
ance In my power" Johns was saying, as he
brows knitted, but I'd give a heap if i, were
some one else than Martin Flores"
1t appears to me, Johns, your sympathies
are always with the worst cases." returned his
companion impatiently. why this Flores is
down for murder larceny and horse thieving."
speaking as though the Inter were the crime Of
crimes.
Surely, SURELY" assented Johns. at seems
to be my fate to like the hardest cases best, but
Flores Is not cruel fellow all round I've
known Of his doing more than one kind action.
All the children in the town run after him, from
Don ignacios pretty Lola to the blacklist little
Indian IN Sonoratown. Sure there were no ex-
tenuating circumstances?'
Perhaps you might call it So" said Scott
thoughtfuly. He lived with his guardian q
relation long way of. who swindled him. until
he had all the property in his own grasp before
uc poE was VI age FLORES was his foreman.
stood heap from him. didn't sabe it was his
own diggings until few months ago. OF course.
then he got his Spanish up. and wnen he tried
to make the old man hand over was received
with the heaviest cuss words Of the Castiliau
tongue. Then Flores tried the law. but it WINS
no go. Meantime the old swindler had sold of
most everything, getting ready to 20 to Mexico
afraid OF Flores. people thought Well one
night he disappeared. Every one supposed he d
gone on on the sly, until q couple Of weeks ago
they found his body in . tuie pond. The case
fell to me. or course l suspected Flores. and
now I've proof enough to convict him. Sabe. +"
Scott drew long breath. spat out of the
window and leaned back in his chair with the
air OF one that has had his say. Johns slowly
rolled a cigarette. handed 1t over to Scott made
another for himself. lighted it and took couple
of whiffs before he spoke.
Poor fellow he said gravely, otis hard
lines. but reckon it's got to be. Will four
men be enough for your"
That depends upon the men" answered
Scott promptly. yourself. myreH, Chato
Lopez, as good a deputy a. he is Unlocking.
Then there Is Jack Lane for fourth. don't
want him, but he's worried a'promise from me
that he should join the next posse He's q good
shot. but II won't do to let him know that we
are after Flores. All the boys are fond of the
man." and Johns sighed
Don't show Yourself today, Scott, or YOUR
bird win be flown. I'll have him trailed and
tonight will take him."
That night the fog came ND early. enyelop-
ing and Disgusting the moet familiar oh;acts