The Durham daily globe. (Durham, N.C.) 1889-1894, 1894-03-09
HOW HE WON HER.

Nurieta sickened at and reverted from The
vengeance he had set for his life task. and
at such times a hope would gain footbold
throughout 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 that
his natural disposition was as gentle as
that Of the most tender woman: that he
wasa bit Of a poet when his worst pas
sions-which might never have been awak-
ened but for the brutal f~erocity of his fell
low men-were sleeping.
Joaquin had been reared as a herdsman
on the vast estate of Don Sebastian Val
Zero IN Sonora. The girl he married. Car
meia, the III fated, was the maid Of Seno-
"a NalIero.
And now, with bis hands STEPPED in
blood-with q score of murders resting on
his acul-the robber chieftain had come to
once more gaze upon the scenes of his hap
py childhood and happier youth, little
thinking that a new hope was even the
dawning for him.
At the base of the hill flowed a placid
creek, fringed with pond lilies, now in
bloom. To this the eyes of the robber were
drawn by the sound of a gentle spIashina
and an involuntary cry of wondering
admiration burst from his lips. A 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 exclama-
ton reached her ears or that there was a
potent magnetism in his gaze, the maiden
raised her eyes and discovered Joaquin.
With a cry of alarm and confusion she
=Yrpanr larE- RI tho IoDE CoaEipr CO fo+r
in flight. He heard a 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 to arrange
her disOrdered dress. She knelt in an at
tituGe of terror.
Before her was q large rattlesnake, its
tail twitchipg rapidly and sending forth
that peculiar, most unnerying of all sounds,
while its lance shaped head, the red jaws
widely distended, moved back and forth,
70 and fro, in regular curves, its beadlike
eyes shining with an Internal fire.
Like n flash Of light, his keen pointed
knife shot forward and pinned the ven
0mOUs serpent to the ground, even as it
was on the point of launching its length
upon the maiden. A painful cry-then
Murieta caught the half f~ainting girl in
mis- arms.
He was handsome, both in face and fig
IRE. He had preserved her from a fright
ful death. She was born and reared be-
meath Il trOpic sun-her blood was warm,
she had just passed from girlhood-little
wonder, then, that when they moved away
from the glade the maiden heart of Clari-
no Nallero went out in passionate owe to
this stranger.
And Joaquin was no less deeply smit-
ten. He no longer remembered the dead
wife to mourn whose fate he had journey
ed thither. He saw that CIarina did not
recognize him. She had been a mere child
when be bore away his bride years before,
and he knew that he had changed greatly
since then. \ master in love, he knew
that already CIarina had bestowed her
heart upon him.
He knew, too, that were Don Tallero to
even suspect his identity with his former
servant his proud Spanish blood would re-
volt at the idea Of an alliance with him.
His resolve was instantly taken, and as
he bore the unsuspecting girl company to
the house his adrOit brain fashioned the
| story he would tell her father. His reCep-
! tiOAWas a cordial one, for Clarina almost
UnC0nsciousIv magnified the peril from
which he had so CALAMITY rescued her.
The rcbber was entertained rs an honOred
guest, and the days passed like a bIissful
dream to him as well as Clarina
Joaquin was truly in love, quite rs deep
" as he vowed, and holding that the life
he led was fully justified by the oUtrages
that had led to his following it he deem
ed it no crime to link this gentle creature
| 10 his blood stained career. No one on the
| estate had recognized their former fellow
servant, and when Joaquin begged the
hand of Clarina in marriage Don Nallero
| gladly consented. Festivities were ar
ranged-but the anticipated wedding feast
never took place.
An old and respected friend Of Don Val
lero paid him a visit, and at first glance
recognized the outlaw for what he really
was. Not two months before he had been
relieved of a large sum Of money hy the
audacious robber, and his proofs were so
! positive that Don Nallero could no longer
doubt.
It came when Joaquin and Clarina re-
turned from n short ride together, and
Don Nallero poured out his wrath before
the robbcr had time to dismOunt himself
Or even aid CIarina to alight.
"GOu have been my hOnOred guest. You
have eaten OF my bread and slept beneath
my roof. Only for that | would kill yOu,"
said the don, his voice trembling with in
dignant modification. go! and never
dare set your foot upon my promises again
unless you would have my slaves hunt
you with dogs and fog you with their cat
tie whips"
eyes, am Joaquin Nurieta, whose fame
as q man will long outlive the blu BLOOD
of which you are so proud!' the outlaw
cried, his voice ringing out proudly. -
will 90, since you bid me, and if | am fol
lowed all will not come home rs they went
CIarina, Is it farewell forever"
mo, no! where You go, there | go also!'
cried the maiden, her eyes flashing with E
fire akin 10 his.
\ laugh of mingled pride and mockery
burst from the bold outlaws lips, ana
grasping the bride rein of the horse rid
den by his love he dashed away from the
hacienda before a hand could be lifted 10
check them.
Three times their pUrsuers came within
pistol shot. and as often were they beaten
back by one man. whose aim never failed
him.
And each time there was blood upon the