The herald., 1894-03-08

on the grass at my fnet, where rs the
night hreeze stirred the foliage IL wove
marvellous figures in trefoil and tracery
for fancy to play with as with those
made by flames in CRATE. Now It was
the lines Of gothic window seen in an
old cathedral and almost forgotten and
now on grander scale the design of deli
cate drawn work recalled from my
lady's chamber.
Leighton was there, n1anfilla be-
side ham. could only half see the re-
vealed oval of the face, but the figure
was slight and pretty, for caught its
gracefuRoutline later when they passed
me.
Next evening at a bale leighton
presented me to Panchita. Together
they were dancing, he and his pretty
animal, with eyes for him alone. In
the desert SO rapid is loves kindling, so
quick and full its fame, no charred or
half burned brands are here left on
loves altar. All is consumed, and what
survives must spring, phenixlike, from
fire or else derend from heaven.
After the danza ended Leighton was
standing in shirt sleeves near Panchita,
with the collar of his jersey open at the
throat-a trick of his that made me
suspect he had seen service in the navy.
AS he leaned ever her Panchita's eye
caught sight OF the locket chain, and he
removed the locket, opened it and hand
ed it to her, thistime not indifferently,
but with all the pride OF priced con-
quest.
was watching Panchita closely as
she gazed fascinated by the portrait and
saw her tremble. Only as l read her
face then by what ! now know can I
tell how well itexpressed all that hope
less sense of loss which comes with the
abandonment of things loved Oh desired.
For an instant her eyes showed the rage
a child's sometimes 6eels for an inani-
mate object when that object has hurt
it. And thought sln would break the
locket. Then the woman conquered,
and she smiled as she returned it.
ELLA es muy hermosa, senorl"
From that moment her abandonment
toward Leighton was complete. Her
gayety and grace became exquisite,
while look from him would lead her.
"Oh, you eastern deryish of heartsi"
l exclaimed to myself as Panchita@ft
him and skipped to get handful of
cascarones and then returned, crushing
the pretty tinsel spangles in shower
over his brown head ard throat. She
fitted about him with the grace of a
bird, and her eyes never left him. She
was becoming intoxicated with her own
movements, her cheeks were flushed
with bright fever spots, and her eyes
shone like stars, On and on they danced,
seeing only each other, and she looked
as If she could dance forever.
AT length Leigh proposed they go,
and she obeyed his wish as If hypnotized
or impelled to do it, and ignoring her
duenna they left together.
The next week ruled Leighton's
official epitaph in the L troop records
thus: Deserted from hunting pass Aug,
IS, 1885,"
You see, the case was an awkward
one. The night of the baile he had been
stabbed in the park. ! found his body
there, and my comrades were about to
string up Morales, Panchita's local ad-
mirer, for the stabbing when stopped
them.
"Hold on, boys" said. "Remem-
ber promised the lieutenant no COM
plications. I"
So Leighton became officially "de-
serter," and kept my word.
Besides, doubt if stringing up would
have been fair to Morales, for when l
found Leighton's g body the locket was
lying ON the ground beside 1T. The
clasp was open, and the portrait blood
stained and mutilated, as if by the point
of dagger.
think Leighton half knew what he
was doing when he faunted that por-
trait at FAnchita-he was a careless
devil and loved danger in way to win
any woman's heart. But, you see, 1T
was his first affair in this land, and he
was mistaken in their temper.
How could | let his record remain sof
Well, what could l dop Besides, Leigh
ton was not his right name, as found
out afterward when reading his home
letters to get his relatives address. His
name was Jack Langhorn, and that
locket the rascal showed me contained
a portrait of his youngest sister.
found that out in writing to his family,
whom I told that Langhorn was killed
by the Apaches in the fight at Chira-
Chuca pass-that occurred two weeks
before his death.
Three years later Jacks sister came
to the States, where met her in Colo
RADIO the year after left the service and
made the strike at Harqua Hala. She
is Mrs. Marlin now, and you met her
at dinner But remember she knows
only half the story of her portrait and
Jack Langhorn was killed by the Apa-
Ches. Let us join the ladies.-C. Over
ton in San Francisco Argonaut.
Wnman In EncIish PoIitiea.