Waterbury evening Democrat., 1895-03-14

free to hold my rifle" said Raymer, danger loosening his tongue and in a single word revealing all he had hither- to concealed. Teresa's arms clasped her protector. and her eyes met his with new light in their depths.
 The soldiers had ranged themselves behind mass of broken sandstone, from which they could command the cIump of cedar which concealed the Indians
 Corporal, " said the lieutenant, you, Hoey and Clary pass your reins to Evans and climb into that cleft and keep up 0 fire into that brush until those fellows show themselves. The rest of us will reserve our fire until they break
 Three rifles cracked irregularly, and the crash of the bullets among the stones and foliage of the hillsides was soon followed by thrashing and tram bling, and nine mounted Indians and three loose ponies galloped up stream, screening themselves as much as possi- ble in the underbrush.
 Padre, nowl They're runningl Let them have every barrelP' exclaimed the lieutenant as he and Clampet fired.
 ''Not at Q retreating foe, my son. l fire only in defense, " replied the priest. ''An Indian or two less now, father, might make defense unnecessary at some future time, remarked Clampet, | half cooking his rife
 With few earnest congratulations upon their escape and Q muttered "cow- ardly cur' from the padre, a term which could not be applied to any one of the little group present, the party re- stunned its march. To the surprise of the lieutenant, Father Gutierrez rode in ad- vance with tho soldiers, and for the time being. acting perhaps upon gen erous impulse begot of his disgust at | Ortega's flight. abandoned the espionage of his niece
 Rayner looked fondly into tho eyes of tho girl whom he held closely to his breaSt. All barriers wero for the mo- ment forgotten. Tho despair of few hours past was now swept away by this ide of unexpected joy brought oil by n wave of conflict and storm. Did offend when I callod yoa daT- ingg'' he asked
 Teresa did not speak. He read his answer fin her eyes and n slight pCoSsure of her arm& HO yOnturad b) kisa her unshrinkinR lips and said:
 "You will not marry that po'troon | Ortega, Teresa mia:"
 A moments pause. and then tho an swer:
 Viewer, if can avoid il. ." And if I can pcrsuAsle your parents to allow my suit will you bo my wife, dearcst?''
 Another pause, to Rayn.rr an age. Then came the reply:
 "Ycs," " smothcrcd in kiss.
 "Yes. Philip-say it please" he urged.
 { "Yes, Philip. But think you have difficult task before you. You do not know how prcjuliccd mamma is against Americans. ''
 ''Is she so very terrible, dcarest:''
 Not terrible, Philip Sho is the dearest and best mamma in thv world, but she does dislike Americans, although she made all exception in your case so far as to wish you were Mexican once |"
 "Whcn was that, pray?"
 "Tho time you defended mr in Santa Fc and Ignacio ran away, dear. She is most opposed to marriages out of her church.
 "'An things como to hum who waits. and if yuu will not lnarr? Ortcga nor any cine hut .a:" tho field is open, and shall try tn win
 A pause in the march was now made until the packs of the two mules could bo consolidated into one. This was done by distributing few articles among the riders. The mule gained by this arrange ment was turned over to soldier who had been riding ole of the bronchos and that in turn was saddled with the saddle taken from the dead pony and assigned to the young lady.
 Everything arranged, tho column moved on and fin short time reached the little village of Canoncito There they found the people in greet excite ment preparing for an expected attack by large hand of Navajoes, reported by the flying Ortoga to bo coming down the river after having killed or captured all of his party except himself. That youth soon made his appearance, but exhibited no shame for his conduct He greeted all with earnest congratulations at their escape and expressed much re- gret that by the breaking of his horse s | tio ElSiN lNtSJ COllEOl O1 lIlt ttIlA- nal and was carried away from a scene whero every impulse of his nature prompted him to remain. No ono TO- piled to his remarks.
 The remaining six miles to Jemez were soon passed over, and at nightfall the travlers arrived at the house of Pa dre Gutierrez. Tho priest had resumed his watchful oversight of Dona Teresa at Canoncito, and from that time until the lieutenant left for tho valleys, two days later, gave him no opportunity tO converse with her When the time came for his departure, Raymer asked per mission to see her for n moment in the presence of her uncle, but the priest re. piled, with kindly smile:
 ''I cannot permit it. my bravo friend. Mischief enough has already been done --morc, I fear, than can be repaired in many days If you were a son of the Catholic church. your gallantry and de. votion and Ignacio's cowardice on the : Jeme3 might overcome my sisters an. tipathy to los Americanos, but besides being a gringo my gallant son. you are heretic, and she will hardly consent l to the marriage of her daughter with one who is not of our faith" "And do you share in her objection to me?" asked the disappointed soldier. "Ah. my brave boy, no one admireS } your courage, your honesty and noble } traits of character moro than I, who have so often been your companion il the valleys aud elsewhere No woman could have better husband. but am 6 } priest of the church. Such union re- Quires a dispensation, which have nc ! power to grant"
 "Goodby, father. Twill speak you