Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1893-08-19

His ranches ad3otned the Russian settle
ment, and the journey from his house TO
the military inclosure was not a long
one. He soon rounded the point Of q
sloping hill and entered the spreading
cove formed by the mountains receding
In semicircle above the cliffs, and IN
whose shelter lay Fort Ross. The fort
was surrounded by q stockade Of red
wood beams. bastions in the shape Of
hexagonal towers at diagonal corners.
Sentfies paced the ramparts with unre-
mitting vigilance. .--.
Within were the long. low building
occupied by the governor and officers,
the barracks. and the Russian church.
with its belfry and cupol& Beyond was
the town" collection Of huts accom-
modating about 800 Indians and Siberian
convicts, the workingmen Of the COM
pany. All the buildings were Of redwood
logs or planed boards and made very
different picture from the white towns
Of the south.
Estenega threw bis bride to 0 soldier
and went directly to the house. A serv-
ant met him on the verands and con-
Quoted him to his room. Il was late and
every one else was dressing for dinner.
He changed his riding clothes for the
evening dress of modern civilization and
went at once to the drawing room. Here
all was luxury, nothing to suggest the
privations Of new country. A thick,
red carpet covered the floor, red arras
the walls; Mozart and Beethoven were
ON the grand piano. The furniture was
rich and comfortable; the large, carved
table was covered with French novels
and European periodicals.
The candles had not been brought In,
but logs blazed in the open fireplace.
As Estenega crossed the room q woman
dressed In black rose from deep chair.
and he recognized Chonita. He speang
forward impetuously and held out his
arms, but she waved him back.
mo, no." she said hurriedly. II want
to explain why | am here. l came for
two reasons. First, could refuse the
Princess Helene no longer; she goes 90
soon. And then-I wanted TO see you
once more before leave the world"
Before you do what:'
- am not going into convent; can
not leave my father. am going to re-
tire to the most secluded Of our ranches
TO see no more of the world or its people.
shall take my father with me. Rel
naldo and Prudencia viii remain at Casa
Grande."
"Nonsense!" he exclaimed impatient
ly. do you suppose shall let You do
anything Of the sorty How little you
know me. my lovei But we win discuss
that question later. We shall be alone
only few moments now. Tell me Of
yourself. How are youy"
II will tell you that also at another
time" ...
And at the moment door opened, and
the governor and his wife appeared and
greeted Estenega with cordial hospital
ity. The governor was fine looking
man, with courteous. sffable manners.
The blond harmonious loveliness Of the
princess was properly framed in toilet
OF mignonette green's. fresh from Paris.
A moment later Reinaldo and Prudencia
appeared, the former as splendid q
caballero as ever. although wearing the
chastened air Of matrimony; the latter
prematernally consequential. Then came
the officers and their wives, all brilliant
In evening dress, and o moment later
they went 10 the dining room.
Estenega sat at the right Of his host
ess, and that trained daughter Of the
salon kept the table In light ripple OF
conversation. sparkling herself without
striking terror to the hearts Of her
guests. She and Estenega were old
friends and usually INDUCED in lively
sallies, ending sometimes in sharp war
of words, for she was very clever wom-
an, but tonight he gave her absent at
tention. He watched Chonita furtively
and thought Of little else.
Her eyes had darker shadows beneath
them than those cast by her lashes. Her
face was pale and slightly followed. She
had suffered and not for her mother.
''She shall suffer no more" he thought.
1--WE hunt bear tonight" he heard the
governor say at length.
II should like to CO." said Chonita
quickly. II should like to- go out tonight. !"
Immediately there was chorus from
all the other women excepting the Prin-
cess Helene and Prudencia. They want
ed to go too. Rotscheff, who would
much rather have left them at home.
consented with good grace. and Estene-
gas spirits rose at once. There was pros
pect Of q talk with Chonita that night
something he had not dared to hope for
and he suspected that she had promot-
ed the opportunity.
The men remained In the dining room
after the ladies had withdrawn, and Es-
tenega, restored to his normal condition
and In his natural element among these
people Of the world, expanded into the
! high spirits and convivial interest In