Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1893-01-26

asked, after waiting for the girl to vol
unteer some speech.
She replied to this with another ques-
ton.
''IIas Pete been here to-day?'' she
asked
No; he said he would not come until
tonight Don't you remember?'
HE could have changed his mind"
Then, after pause, she added:
He must keep away from Dona Ana"
''Ehr' said the old man, with the
quick suspicion of one familiar with
the scent of danger. 'sBut how will
you manage it?''
81 shall find a way answered the
girl, briefly.
''You tell him to hold and he will be
the more fierce to CO." grdm bled
Manetta.
The sun went down and the moon
and the stars came out and made the
world white with their light
The two sat upon the ground before
the hut, their backs against the adobe
wall, their blankets drawn well about
them. The night was as still as it
was white except for the far-away
yelping of coyote or the boot of an
owl.
After time there was sound of
distant hoof-beats; they drew nearer.
and a we'll caparisoned rider halted in
front of the hut.
You are glad to see me-" he said.
sarcastically, as neither the man nor
the girl stirred. at is worth riding
far for such welcome
''We are tired answered Ysabel, in
differently.
Eyes, Ramantaro. We do something
besides play-we-'' grunted Manetta.
The horseman flung himself down
beside Ysabei.
Tell me-" he said.
eve have lost the new goats"
Ramantaro uttered an oath.
The ones you got from the English
man?''
Manetta chuclled silent assent, re-
mem bering how he had got them.
Did he come fog them?''
Bah, no. He had not that courage.
They have strayed away up the
AFRO %
''Then they will cone back
Yes, when the wolves have eaten
them
''And you followed them?"
until | could go no further"
The man arose and looked across the
plain.
The arroyo is a cursed place. he
said, but Juan is sure of foot. Yes,
couid bring them back. But m ust be
in Dona Ana tonight
Don't let our goats interfere with
your pleasures" said Ysabel doubt
less some one will miss you if you are
not at Dona Ana"
Nc, you know it is not that. Ysabel
But there will he some good play to-
night. 1 must not miss it.
''Oh, very we'll L shall go for the
goats again when I have rested
What. up the arroyo? Nonsense
See here. 1 will go if you will promise
me- and he bent over and whispered
in her ear.
81 will not promise. If you cannot
do this
I but TESTED. 1 shall go and find
your goats
AS he rode away ISABEL stood and
watched until he was beyond hearing.
Then she went into the chaparral be-
hind the corral and soon returned driv-
ing a half dozen fine Angora goats.
IF he rides until he finds them he
will not be IN Dona Ana tonight" she
said, contentedly, as she fastened the
flock securely in the corral.
Ramantaro had ridden but a little
way up the arroyo before he began to
slacken his pace and to ride as a man
undecided in his course.
Bother the WITCH he muttered;
81 shall lose half a life's fun by this.
can win more mo ney in play at Dona
Ana tonight than these goats and
their increase will be worth in a hun
dred years. l will tell her, he said,
finally, turning his horse resoluteiy
about, that l found the goats, but that
the wolves had found them first
Then he put spurs to Juan and rode
toward Dona Ana.
1t wanted vet two hours of dawn
when ISABEL, lying awake, heard again
the noise OF. approaching hoofs. She