The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1895-02-21
AN OUTLAWS HEROINE.
Toge ther They Perished on the
Great Western Desert.

Manalillo was only collection of
ndobe huts, huddled under the eye of
the burning sun, in the midst of the
burning Arizona desert.
& Maybe it had been there an hundred
years maybe twice that time-for its
annals were writ only in the sands OF
the wide, brown plain, and that which
is written there to-day the wind cover
eth tomorrow.
But presently the railroad came, and
with it signs Of development. Aranch-
man gathered up the nucleus of flock
OF sheep; some miners outfitted and
went prospecting in the mountains;
fellow who had some smattering OF
science went off by himself into the
heart of the Apache country, and
came back with opals, rich with
strange fire.
These, and others like them, came to
look upon Manalillo as their base for
supplies; the place grew in Importance;
people from farther district began to
come hither, and many riders, in fam
tastic dress. were seen upon the streets.
Some of these riders it would have
been difficult to classify. They were
certainly neither ranchmen nor miners.
It might not have been a serious mat
ter to call them gamblers. Some of
them were more than suspected of hav-
ing helped to ''hold up" the Fort Stah-
ton stage on occasion; more than one
rode horse for which he had never
exchanged an equivalent
In the terse vernacular of the south
west, they were simply ''bad men,
It was because this portion had be-
come too numerous that the leading
citizens decided society must be reor-
ganized. and they went about the task
methodically.
Among these "bad men," the name
4 Of Domingo Juarez led all the rest, and
it was decided by those having au-
thority in the matter that Juarez must
go" preparatory to the establishment
Of an orderly community.
When Ameda Torreon rode into
agoat's fleece for measure of meal
she learned that matters of grave inn
portance were afoot.
A good three leagues from Manalillo
was the ranch where Vicentio Torreon,
her father, herded few goats and
basked in the sun all day, asking little
in life except to be left alone.
The night was still as it was white,
except for the far-yelping of coyote
or the hoot OF an owl.
After time the sound of distant
hoofbeats was added to these. A
horseman drew in sight, silhouetted
against the clear sky. rode up to them
at an easy lope and halted in front OF
the hut.
"You are glad to see me-" said the
rider, saTcastically, as neither the man
nor the girl stirred; lit is worth riding
fur for such welcome"
We are tired" answered Armeda
indifferently.
Yes, Domingo, we do something
besides play, we," grunted Torreon.
The horseman flung himself down
beside the girl Tell me" he said.
We have lost the new goats"
The ones you had from the Eng.
lishman?'
Torreon chuckled q silent assent,
remembering how they had gotten
them.
Did he come for them?" asked Do.
mingo.
Bah, no! He has not that courage.
They have strayed away, up the ar.
royo."
They will come back"
Yes, when the wolves have eaten
them.n
They Were silent for little. Then
the man said, tentatively:
You followed them?"
Yes, until could go no further"
Domingo rose and stood looking
across the plain.
said.
Then he put his hand upon his horse
Juan is sure of foot. Yes, I could
bring them back. But must not bt
N Manalillo tonight"
dis manner was irresolute, and ht
Kept his face from the girl as he spoke
Armsda turned her eyes upon hin
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