Waterbury evening Democrat., 1895-03-14

NAA seAdSs
 And you and the sergeant behaved usual And how have you been these winter days in this coldest of regions?''
 "Fairly comfortable, as you can see. "
 ''Yes. This is pleasant cabin sure ly, and you can have Q generous fire when you need it But pray. pardon me, I am negleotinG duty. Senor Teniente Raymer. permit me to intro duce my friend. Don Ignaoio OrtoGa Delgado."
 Thank you, father, answered Ray mer. "We did not await your return to 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, ''and your val ley temperature and wind are search ing"
 ''The ride and cold have given IS cx- cellent appetites, ' added tho priest.
 Did you find tho snow deep. fa- ther?'' asked the lieutenant.
 "Thcre was no snow until we left the river and but few inches until we were within a short distance of the vallOy. Had you not opened the drifts we should have been obliged to turn back. "
 ''The path was cut today, said the officer
 '.So 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, .. sheer ill 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 tho particulars soon."
 "Was it necessary that Miss Valcn- cla should explain?" asked tho 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 tho drifts through which you cut today" answered Padro Gutierrez, rclapsinS into silence Then l after a moment ho continued: 1T suppose you would liko to know how Ignacio and came to arrive horo without pack ami mals? 1 will tell you. Teresa's aunt, who was left sick at the rancho near Los OjOs FriOS, recovered i'll 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 Jcmcz 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 botroth- | ed. Of course he was surprised and anX- l iOuS when he met me to learn that Te- resa had not come. lknCw of the storm, and being well acquainted with tho winter features of this region concluded that the girl and her escort Were snow cd iu here or had pcriShrd on tho road. After night of anxiety We got ready for tho trip and left yesterday noon for lho valley, hoping to find tho party as they were when they tCuk leave of tho sick aunt. had 10 idea of the child $ actual prodicamrut until she told me just now. think tn" two mCn, Antonio and Manuel, stole everything ill their possession and left for the Rio AbajO. "
 Miss Valencia seems to have fallen into tho hands of n set of thieves from the start" observed the lieutenant. Ramon was tho only honest one. But you need havo no anxiety for tranSporta- tion. will furnish it and an escort. :"
 Thank you, my friend" said the priest. And now about that boy, Ra- mon Vaca After supper Twill soc him, and tomorrow morning will say mass Please notify the men and let me have the largest room possible
 "You can havo tho mems dining room. and Mrs Sullivan will assist you in arranging and decorating"
 Cain and the cook now appeared with supper, and tho two McxiCans sat down to it with the keen relish induced by a long ride and sharp atmosphere
 The meal ended, Padre Gutierrcz wis ited tho wounded boy and spent an hour with him. Ho called on Mrs. Sullivan to arrange for linen for an altar, then returning to the officers quarters, went to bed.
 Tho next day, immediately after re- veillo mass was held and generally at tended by tho Catholic soldiers. Tho lieutenant, Ortcga and Dona Teresa were present. BrcakfaSt followed, and then preparations for tho journey tc Jemez began.
 Two mules were packed with the la dy's luggage, and Ramon's pony was saddled for her to ride Four mules and the bronchos were made ready for a COT poral and fivo men, and Raymer's horse was brought to the door When OrtegG saw the lieutenant preparing to go, hC could not conceal his vexation, anC presently he said:
 II see no reason for yUur accompany ing us, sir. ''
 Had you not arrived, answered tn, officer. lit was my intention to go il charge of the escort, and l know of nt reason for changing my plans, partiCu larly as the animals belong to the camI and the escort is military"
 "But the padre and can take few necessary articles with us upon our sad dle horses and send a party of Pueblo: for the rest of the luggage later, " in sisted tho Mexican, evidently determined that Raymer's acquaintance with Doni Teresa should not be prolonged.
 That would make unnecessary de
 lay. " returned the lieutenant II notic
 that while you are extra well armed tn priest carries no weapons. You ar hardly sufficient escort for two defense
 less persons ill times like these "Vaya! There arc no Indians about We saw no signs as we came here" s My four months residence in thi valley has witnessed five collisions witt ? kba Nayo;ooS and do ,of ,,ro,,oso +r ol