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

beside his in the sandy road. Frogs croaked
aS5ressiyelv from the water side. An owl
hooted in The tree above them, while from the
Ellis opposite came a chorus of wandering
coyotes. The horses feet passed from the soft
sand ~ the crisp wateTcresses. crushing them
ruthiessly: then came the splash. splash of the
water. n swish OF willow boughs in their faces,
sharp climb, and they were on the heights
above. Here they drew rein and turned with
ono accord to look down ON the lights Of the
lit lie pueblo
Art saving adios to the old life. Florinda
mia! Tell me, art thou happier with me, dear
one! questioned her lover, his arm about her,
his face bent to hers.
Before she could answer his quick ear caught
some sound from the other side of the stream
that startled him. Instantly he sat upright in
the saddle, keen, alert. listening intently. He
had not relinquished his hold OF. Florinds's
arm aud in his intense anxiety unwittinely
crushed the soft flesh until the girl could ha g
cried aloud with pain; but she felt that some
thing was wrong and set her white teeth to-
gether. determined to make no sound to add to
her lovers cares. She, too, could hear the
thud. thud. thud of the feet of horses ridden
rapidly. Then there was a pause; they had
halted. and above the ripple of the water over
the boulders and drip of the fog beneath the
willows came the sound of jingling spurs. the
musical champing of bits by restless. impatient
was it?-the click of pistol.
Florinda drew her breath hard and clenched
her little hands. So Martin found them as his
hand sought hers, and unbending them,
pressed them passionately to his lips.
"Querida mia, he whispered, "thou seest
there is danger ahead. Wilt thou be sile mt and
fear not?'
Isl, senior" she answered softly, her rosy
lips touching his ear.
Again he pressed her hand to his lips then
wheeling about retraced their steps down the
grade to the river, but instead of crossing the
stream turned sharply aside into the soft sand,
and, riding few yards down stream, halted
in the shelter Of willow thicket No word
was spoken. but Florinda felt her hand taken
and held firmly in her lovers clasp as they
awaited anxiously the approach of the other
party.
On they came, speaking in subdued tones, yet
so quiet was the night. the listeners under the
willows could hear all that was said Scott was
speaking. Strange we don't hear anything of
them. Sure you have not made a mistaken"
81 reckon there's no mistake" answered
Johns confidently. "That imp Of Moreno's
said they were to meet under the sycamore by
the Also crossing With the girl and the dust
he can't travel as fast as we," continued Johns,
land we're sure to overtake them
~ say, Johns" said a clear, young voice, at
which Flores started, exclaiming softly, "What.
you amigo milo; it's not fair that you won't tell
L
am the only one in the party that doesn't know
-eh. Chato?''
No, senor-yo no sc q don't know)," de-
MED the Mexican promptly.
.'Come, come, Lane, if you like to 90 back
you may" said Johns gruffiy. 81 only wish
you would. This isn't fit work for you to take
a hand i'm
'No, Stree" returned the boyish voice. 81
had hard enough work to get you to promise to
take me. No going back for me-"
They had crossed the river and mounted the
bank, where at Johns command they paused to
listen. In few minutes Johns spoke again.
There is no doubt they are making for San
Diego" he said decidedly. "yamos," and they
pushed on at q sharp gallop.
As their boof beats died away, Flores. drop
ping the reins over the saddle pommel and
quoting his well-trained horse with word,
leaned over his sweetheart and drawing her to
him laid his cheek against her own. For a
moment he said nothing, softly stroking the
dark hair, then-"Life Of my life, pobrecita
mia (ny poor little one). must take thee
back to La Vieia Manuela, to the old life which
hoped was of the past: but if thou wilt have
patience, querida, and keep faith with me l will
return"
she pleaded earnestly.
LUZ de mi ojos Eight of my eyes)," he
answered, his voice shaking with emotion, lit
grievos me to deny thee, but there would be
no safety thus, for thee or me. When these
men of blood are baffied. then surely will
come for thee. Wilt wait for me. querida?"
ISL, 81" she answered. clingng to him. the
hot tears binding her eyes. Whom have but
thee? All, Holy Mother defend theen' she cried
suddenly in terror. They will do thee harm,
these evil men,"
NO no, chiquita. they will not find me.
They have gone to San Diego and will follow
in safety until l reach the foothills, when l may
elude them"
Then go, go quickly before they returnl''
she cried, pushing him from her. Haste,
amigo. ere die of fear for thee she urged,
never dreaming of questioning him as to the
charge against him. Too used to the troubles
and brawls of the times, little cared she
whether he were guilty or innocent. Love was
above all.
Silently he obeyed her, nor uttered a word
until they drew rein in the dark beside the old
church, for there she begged him to sit her
down.
As he lifted her from the saddle he held her
closely and laid his face to hers. slow can
let thee go. heart of my hearth he moaped
Timidly she stroked back the hair from his
forehead. II will pray 10 our Lady OF Guada-
lupe and make to her vow that thou mayst
return quickly and In safety, querido," she
whispered.
Al her words and caress he frightened his
clasp till the hardy young flesh was bruised
with the agony Of his embrace. Fail me not,
dear one, thou art my ALL" he murmured
Again he pressed his lips to hers then with a
groan set her from him. leeped into the sad
die and turned away with never another look
OF word.
Sadly she watched him out Of sight, and lis
tened to the hoof beats of the two horses onthe
hard road. Then she made her way to the
cnArch door, and kneeling on the stone step
whispered a prayer for her lovers safety.
Finally, with downcast heart and tagging steps,
she returned to the abode of Ia Vieja Manuela
which she had left SO hopefully few hours be-
fore.
Half an hour later Flores stood again on the
farther river bank. Thi, time he was alone
Before he was tho lover, tender. impassioned.
Now he was the warrior-stern, alert: with rifle
laid across the saddle; pistol in his holster
hanging close to his right hand while 81 cuchillo
held its place in his belt to the left. After lis
tening a moment he dismounted, and carefully
cinched his horse; then regaining the saddle,
pushed on at steady pace.
He had travelled perhaps dozen miles. meet
ing no one, listening on the RISES fording
streams with caution, when all at once from
out the fog ahead Of him. came the sound of
galloping horses. The hoof beats had been
deadened by a strip Of sand until they were al
most upon him.
There were but two things to be done-either
to turn and ride away at full speed, in which
case they would certainly hear and il they were
his pursuers. give chase, when the odds would
be against him. or to trust to the shelter of the
friendly fog, and, drawing to one side the road