Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1894-12-20

gflngo IN his personal quarters, alone
and in this isolated region, was, to his
mind, susceptible of but one interpreta-
tion. But the silence must be broken
and social amenities maintained. Ray
mer approached the stranger.
"Senor Ortegaof Beralillo, Iselieve?'
he said in Spanish.
1.-THE same, senior. And yon are the
comandante de los wales, Teniente
Raymer?"
"Yes. Have you any attendants or
escort?"
''No; the padre and I are alone"
where are your animals?"
elm charge of the guard"
81 will go out for moment and or
der them stabbed. Remove your over
coat and make yourself comfortable
Leaving the cabin, Raymer ordered
the horses cared for and then directed
Cain to procure bedding for his guests
and make up two cots in his quarters.
When he re-entered, he saw a young
man standing before the fire, divested of
his outer clothing. He was apparently
% years old, nearly 6 feet in height, of
compact figure, possessing shapely limbs
and delicate hands and feet. His COM
plexion was dark and his eyes and hair
black. His face was handsome and reg
ular, except for q narrowness through
the temples, which brought the eyes
near together, indicating little depth of
character and lack of firmness Ray
mer at once felt an instructive repul-
sion, not on account of Ortega's rela-
tions to Teresa, but on his own account.
The young Mexican was not now clad
in the national costume, being dressed
in an ordinary suit of gray. A rife, two
revolvers and several packages of am
munition lay OH top of the overcoat and
poncho, which he had thrown over a
chair.
Before q word could be exchanged be-
tween the young men the door opened,
and the cassocked figure of Padre Gu
tierrez entered his whole demeanor
changed. Evidently his interview with
his niece had been satisfactory. Ap-
preaching, with both hands extended, he
exclaimed:
"Ah, my brave friend, it brightens
ones eyes and warns ones heart to see
you again. 1t seems long time since
we met"
'Since last October, when we were
corralled by the Navajoes at La Roca
Grande. ="
."And you and the sergeant behaved
SO gallantly, coming out best men as
usual. And how have you been these
winter days in this coldest of regions?"
"Fairly comfortable, as you can see. "
eyes. This is pleasant cabin sure
ly, and you can have generous fire
when you need it. But pray, pardon
me, am neglecting a duty. Senor
Teniente Raymer, permit me to intro
duce my friend, Don Ignacio Ortega
Delgado"
"Thank you, father" answered Ray
mer. "We did not await your return tc
become acquainted. We have already
exchanged names. Bring your chair to
the fire. Your supper will soon be ready.
You must have had cold ride"
"We have been in the saddle since
noon, +" replied Ortega, land your val
ley temperature and wind are search
ing"
"The ride and cold have given us ex-
cellent appetites, added the priest.
''Did you find the snow deep, ia
ther?" asked the lieutenant,
"There was no snow until we left the
river and but few inches until we were
within a short distance of the valley
Had you not opened the drifts we should
have been obliged to turn back"
"The path was cut today" said the
officer.
$50 La Dona Teresa has told me, and
that it was done to enable her to leave
tomorrow.
"Then it was her intention to go to-
morrow" asked Ortega, sneer in his
voice and frown on his narrow fore
head.
"She would have gone sooner, and
without my knowing who had been my
guest, but for the deep snow and high
winds. She concealed her presence here
until accident revealed it.
Accident" questioned Ortega, with
a doubtful infection.
"Yes, accident, said the priest, with
emphasis. "All has been explained sat,
isfactorily by Teresa, my son, and Twill
give you the particulars soon. p"
"Was it necessary that Miss Valen-
cla should explain?" asked the young
officer, indignation showing plainly in
his voice.
"Ah, my gallant and brave young
friend, an absence of 20 days and mare
seemed to require considerable explana-
tion until we saw the drifts through
which you cut today" answered Padre
Gutierrez, relapsing into silence. Then
after moment he continued: 81 suppose
you would like to know how Ignacio and
I came to arrive here without pack ami
mails? I will tell you. Teresa's aunt,
who was left sick at the rancho near
Los Ojos Frios, recovered in a short
time and continued her journey by easy
stages to Albuquerque, where she ar
rived few days ago and reported that
Dona Teresa had gone to my house in
Jemez by way Of this valley. Ignacio,
arriving at Albuquerque two days later,
offered to ride to Jemez with messages
and for the purpose Of seeing his betroth-
ed. Of course he was surprised and anx-
ious when he met nae to learn that Te-
resa had not come. knew Of the storm,
and being we'll acquainted with the