Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1893-06-24
81 am Chonita Iturbi y Moncada, and


poles. Only, much as hate him, wish
l could see him again. He knows so
much more than any one else ] should
like to talk to him, to ask him many
things. He has sworn to marry me-"
Her lip curled scornfully, but sudden
glow rushed over her. Had he not
been an Estenega-yes, ] could have
loved him-that calm, clear sighted love
that is born of regard; not whirlwind
and collapse, like most love. l should
like to sit with my hands in my lap and
hear him talk forever. And we cannot
even be friends. 1t is pity"
The girls mind was like splendid
castle only one wing Of which had ever
been illuminated. BY the light Of the
books she had read and of acute observa-
ton in little sphere she strove to pene-
trate the thick walls and carry the torch
into broader halls and lofty towers. But
superstition, prejudice. bitter pride, in
experience Of life. joined their shoulders
and barred the way. As Diego Estenega
had discerned, under the thick Old
World shell of inherited impressions
was plastic being of all womanly pos
sibilities. But so little did she know of
herself. SO futile was her struggle in the
dark with only sudden flashes to blind
her and distort all she saw. that with no
one to shape that molding kernel it
would shrink and wither, and in few
years she would be but polished shell.
perfect Of proportion, hollow at the core.
But II strong hands sank into that
sweet. plant kernel. molding it into the
perfected form of woman. establishing
the current between the brain and the
passions. finishing the work or leaving it
half completed. as circumstances vouch-
safed-what theni
AYE, senorl" exclaimed Prudencia as
two people, mounted on horses glistening
with silver. galloped into the courtyard.
Valencia and Adam"
came out of the sala at that moment
and watched them alight-Adan. that
faithful. doglike adorer of whose kind
every beautiful woman has half dozen
or more; Valencia Menendez. the bitter
hearted rival of Chonita. She was tall
splendid creature. with flaming black
eyes. large and heavily lashed, and fig
ure so 1.-THE that she seemed to sweep
downward from her horse rather than
spring to the ground. She had the dark
rich skin of Mexico-another source Of
envy and hatred. for the Iturbi y Mon
cada's, like most of the aristocracy OF the
country. was of pure Castilian blood and
as white as porcelain in consequence
and red. full mouth
Welcome. my Chonitar she cried.
"Valgame Dios! but am glad to see thee
backl" She kissed Chonita effusively
AYE. my poor brotherr she whispered
hurriedly Tell him that thou art glad
to see him" And then she welcomed
me with words that fell rs softly as rose
leaves in a zephyr, and patted Pruden-
cia's head.
Chonita. with a faint flush on her
cheek, gave Adam her hand to kiss. She
had given this faithful suitor little en-
couragement. but his answering and
honest devotion had wrung from her a
sort of careless affection. and she told
me that first night in Monterey that If
she ever made up her mind to marry
she thought she would select Adam; he
was more tolerable than any one she
knew
1t is doubtful If he had crossed her
mind since. and now, with all woman's
unreason, she conceived sudden and
violent dislike for him because she had
| treated him too kindly in her thoughts.
liked Adam Menendez-therew was some
thing manly and sure about him-the
latter a restful if not Ii fascinating quail
ity, And liked his appearance. His
clear brown eyes had kind direct re-
gard. His chin was round and his pro-
file a little thick, but the gray hair
brushed up and away from his low fore
head gave dignity to his face. His figure
was pervaded with the Incidence Of the
Californian.
AT your feet, senorita mia, he mur-
INJURED, his voice trembling
at gives me pleasure to see thee again.
Adam. Hast thou been well and happy
since lefty"
It was careless question and he looked
at her reproachfully.
II have been well, Chonita." he said.
At this moment our attention was
startled by sharp exclamation from
Valencia. Prudencia had announced hei
engagement. Valencia had refused many
suitors, but she had intended to marry
Reinaldo Iturbi y Moncada. Not that
she loved him; he was the most brilliant
match in three hundred leagues. With
in the last year he had bent the knee tc
the famous coquette, but she had lost
her temper one day-or rather it had
found her-and after violent quarrel
he had galloped away and gone almost
Immediately to Los Angeles, there TO re
main until Don Juan went after him
with bushel Of gold. She controlled
herself in a moment, and swayed hei
graceful body over Prudencia, kissing
her lightly on the cheek.
Thou baby, to marryr' she said soft
ly. "Thou didst take away my breath
Thou dost look no more than fourteen
years. had forgotten the grand meri
enda of thy eighteenth birthday"
Prudencia's little bosom swelled with
pride at the discontinue of the naughty
! hauutu xpho hod raralv ra,nam hered ff