Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1892-06-10
D0NA AMATA.


1t was so hot that even the dogs
did not lift their heads TO bark at the
approaching horsemen; they lay with
swollen tongues hanging over their
teeth. occasionally quiverjng in feeble
protest at the pervading battalions of
ileas which shorten the life OF the
California dog. The adobe soil
cracked anew under the pitiless sun.
the whitewash on the outer walls of
the big adobe house arose in blistera
The undulating line OF brown hills
which encircled the Rancho del Fuego
were dim under the materialized heat;
the creek was dry; the little brown
huts of the rancheria in the willows
were sileGt as tombs; even the Indians
were taking their siesta
The visitor urged his tired and
reeking horse to what speed it was
still capable Of anxious TO get under
shelter himself As he reached the
corral he reused vaQuero sleeping
beneath tree and babe him follow
and take charge OF his cd. At tho
long corridor OF the house he dis
mounted. aud leaving the horse TO
await the pleasure OF the vaquero en-
tered hastily and without the cere-
mony OF knocking. into the GOODNESS
OF the interior Between these thick
adobe walls the climate was that of
northern country. He threw himself
upon a sofa to rest and await the
awakening of the family from the
siesta lie had taken his uucon fort
able journey in the hot daytim rather
than in tho blackness OF the night for
there would be no neon for two weeks
and his business was urgent But he
was n New England man and the Cal
ifornia summer was more than he
could stand without protest 1t cent
him TO sleep. AS he slept ne snored
and in n few moments some one might
have been moving lightly on the bare
floor. behind the thin door set midway
in wall some three feet thick
! r. The door opened AMI a girl entered
and stood gazing with an expression
OF unmistakabls rspugnance at the
sleeper. She was a beauty of the
type so often seon ia California before
and in the early days OF the Ameri-
can occupation; dense black hair that
hung braided to the hem Of her white
gown. eyes large black with light
in them that suggested an uncomfort-
able rapidlty OF changes delicate
features "a full red mouth and white
skin, figure 1.-the graceful voluptu-
Gus; about the whole an indefnable
atmosphere OF hope and sparkle and
capacity for happiness
She looked anything but happy.
however. as she ganed at the strong
shrewd features OF the sleeping WISH
ter. Her gaze may have been mag
netic, for he suddenly opened his eyes
then rose hastily and greeted her with
manners rs good as though less pro-
fuse than those Of the caballeros who
had adored her since she had length
ened her frecks.
do not think me rude" he said
81 did not wish to disturb any one
and am afraid the heat overeame me
and fell asleep"
Il am glad you sleep" she said
with graceful but umsmiling hos
pitality. mo one should be awak,
when it is so hot Sit down. Mop
She took one Of the ugly horse-hair
chairs he another facing her. and 70,
moment they gazed silently at each
other both somewhat detiantly.
1T no is proper all you alone like
this f" she said finally. '.But have
reason. so do it. And" scornfully
my father no care SO much. / sup
pose. because is you. Now. ! tell you
whattee l want. beg you, l go on
my knees 81 you like it. to no come
here any more and ask my father 81
you can marry me. l no love you at
all Never i can love you. l love-
always have love-Antonio Rivera.
He no have the moneys now; the
Americanos take all. but my father
letting US marry ST you no coming and
spoil ALL Ay, ssnorl Go! Go! No
mala me so sorrym She leane1 for
ward and clasped her hands the tears
/ splashing; she was a charming pic
! ture.
The American regarded the floor
for moment let his eyes dwell on
her once more, then shook his head
no." he said You are the only
woman l ever wanted. dear Dona
Amata and cannot give you up. /
have the less scruple. because 1 know
that you will be far happier with me
than with your idle shiftless Spanish
| lover"
But no was not allowed to proceed.
Dona Amata sprang to her feet and
beat her little clinched hands to-
gether
mo say one word by him. she
cried her voice choked with wrath.
her eyes flashing No say one word.
You think not man have the right TO
living 81 he no can make the moneysP
Before the Americanos coming we
have plenty moneys and live happy;
but now you take all. You are very
how you call himP-smart You
lend my father the moneys and make
him sign the paper to give you tho
ranches 81 he no can pay. We never
sign the paper one for the other.
Always when we land the moneys we
1 4.,,at and nj maya ma Qra INV Pat