Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-01-30
HOW HE WON CLARINA

There were times when even JOAQUIN
MurietA sickened 81 aud revolted from
the vengeance he had set for his life
task, and at such times a hope would
gain foothold throug bout the mines that
The dreaded outlaw had at last run his
rAce-that some lucky bullet or knife
thrust had cut short his thread of life.
Those who knew Joaquin best state
his natural disposition was as gentle As
hat OF the most tender woman; that he
vas bit OF q poet when his worst pas
iions-which might never have been
awakened but for the brutal ferocity of
uis fellow men-were sleeping.
Joaquin had been reared for herds
nan on the vast estate OF Don Sebastian
Valero In Sonora.
The girl he married, Carmela, the FL
'sted, was the maid OF Sonora Vallero.
And now, with his hands steeped in
oood-with n score OF murders resting
on his soul-the roober chieftain had
come 10 once more gaze upon the scenes
OF his happy childhood aud happier
youth, little thinking that a new home
was even then dswning for him.
At the base Of the hill flowed placid
creek, fringed with pond lilies, now in
bloom.
To this the eyes OF the robber were
drawn by the sound Of 4 gentle splash
irg-aud an Involuntary cry OF wander
ing admiration hurst from his Inns.
fair girl had just stepped into the
water, half unrobed. doubtless with the
intention OF taking a bath in the cool
waters OF the creek.
Whether it was that this exclamation
reached her ears ,ors that there was n
potent magnetism in his gaze, the
maiden raised her eyes and discovered
Joaquin.
With a cry OF alarm and confusion
she sprang back TO the bank, seeking
safety In flight.
He heard piercing shrek from the
bushes beyond, and rushed forward,
fearing that the fair Undine was in
peril.
The next moment he burst into the
little glade where the girl had paused
70 arrange her disordered dress.
She knelt In an attitude OF terror.
Before her was large rattlesnake,
It's tail twitching rapidly, and sending
forth that peculiar, most unnerving of
al sounds, while it's lance shaped head
the red jaws widely distended. moved
back and forth, 10 and fro, in regular
curves, its besdlike eyes shining with
an Internal fire.
Like fash Of lightning his keen
pointed knife shot forward and pinned
the venomous serpent TO the ground,
even as IL was on the point OF launch.
ing its length upon TIE maiden.
A painful cry-then Murieta caught
the half faintng girl in his arms.
he was handsome, both in face and
figure. He had preserved her from n
frightiul death. She was born and
reared beneath tropic sun-her blood
was warm, she had just passed from
CirIuood-little wonder. then that
when they moved away from the glade
tie heart OF C.arino Nallero went out
% passionate love TO this stranger.
And Joaquin was no less deeply smit-
ten.
He no longer remem bered the dead
wife TO mourn whose fate he had jour.
neyed thither
lie saw that Clarina did not recognize
him.
She had been a mere child when he
bore away his briae, years before, and
he knew that he had changed greatly
since then.
master In love. he knew that al
ready Clraina had bestowed her heart
uuon him.
lie knew too, that were Don Vallero
to even suspect his identity with his
former servant, his proud Spanish blood
TSlld revolt az the idea Of an alliance
with him.
iAiN lcSbiNe was instantly taken, and
As he bore the unsuspecting girl com
pany TO the house. his adroit brain fash
toned the story he would tell the father.
Ills reception was q cordial one, for
Carina almost unconsciously magnifed
the peril from which he had so gallant
~ rescued her.
Inc rObber was entertained as an
honored guest, aud the DAYS passed
Ike a biissful dream to him as well as
Cariua
Joaquin was truly in love, quite as
deeply as he avowed, and holding that
tie life he led was fully justlfied BY the
ontrages that had led TO his following
IT, he deemed II no crime TO link this
gentle creature to his bloodstained ca
Tecr.
No one on the estate had recognized
their former fellow servant, and when
Joaquin begged the hand OF Clarlna In
marriage Don Vallero gladly consented.
Festivities were arranRed-but the
anticipated wedding feast never took
place
An old and respected friend OF Don
NaHero paid him visit, and at first
glance recognized the outlaw for what
DE really was.
Not two months before he had been
relieved OF large sum Of money by the
tHGac'ous robber, and his proofs were
80 positive that Vallero could no longer
doubt.
- came when Joaquin and Clarina
returned from a short ride together and
ION NailerO poured out his wrath be-
lore the robber had time TO dismount
himself or even aid Ciarlna 70 alight.
You have been my honored guest
on have eaten OF my bread and slept
beneath my roof Only for that would
gu YOU said the don, his voice trem-
uNng with Indignant modification.
''o. and never dare set your foot upon
my premises again--unless you would
nave my slaves hunt you with dogs and
ioc you with their cattle whips"
es, / am Joaquin Murieta, whose
iame as man will long outlive the
Que blood of which you arc so proud, ."
the outlaw cried, his voice ringing out
proudly. "l will go, since you bid me,
ana u / am followed all will not come
nome as they went. Carina, is IL fare
well Tor ever?"