The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1895-05-09

logical dispute rs 20 Cn0 rOut0 pursued
by Cabeza de vaca in his journey across
the plains from the gulf coast in 1856
to Compostella on the Pacific.
Senior Valencia had recently received
treatise from an eastern scholar who
made claim for more southern route
than the one usually accepted.
As the gentlemen neared the house
Raymer noticed a ray of light piercing
the darkness from the keyhole of the H.
brary door and was presently surprised
to see his companion open the door with
out first using his key, precisely as
though he expected to find it unfastened.
Throwing the door open, he stepped
aside to allow his guest to precede him.
The lieutenant crossed the threshold and
was astonished to find Teresa sitting at
a table with book before her. She
raised her eyes, and seeing who had
come in rose and came forward with ex-
tended hand. The whole occurrence was
so out Of the recognized order Of New
Mexican usage, so much like what might
occur at his own home, that the lieu
tenant had to exercise some personal re-
straint in order to exhibit no surprise.
II have brought Mr.. Raymer, my
dear, TO show him the book you are ex-
amining," said Senior Valencia.
81 have just been comparing it with
our other authorities, observed Teresa.
II am not ready to believe that Vaca
passed into Mexico through northern
Texas. There is no evidence that trav-
eled route ever led in that direction,
while the generally accepted northern
one had existed for centuries and is still
used, natural highway"
eyes, and there are many other slight
but excellent evidences that the nrgu-
ment is faulty. vaca mentions eating a
-four made of pine nuts. I will find his
journal, Mr. Raymer. Take seat by
the table"
Raymer seated himself beside Teresa,
and her father went to farther corner
for the journal
"Tell Inc, Teresa, he said in whis-
per, 'what does this mean?"
"I do not know, Philip. Mamma went
to the rancho yesterday to be gone until
tomorrow, and papa asked me to met :
him here this evening to examine this
book"
Senior Valencia returned with parch
ment covered volume and opened to a
page from which he read:
There are in that country small
pine trees, and the seeds of them are
like small eggs. While green they are
beaten and made into balls, and thus
eaten. If dry, they are pounded and
consumed in the form of flour. As the
pinon does not grow in Texas, feel con-
vinced that Vaca passed through New
Mexico''
This subject, requiring repeated ref
erences 20 the library shelves, formed
the chief topic of conversation through
out the evening and was the means of
showing Philip the strong bond of sym
pathy existing between father and
daughter and something Of the literary
accomplishments of the beautiful girl.
After pleasant evening he left for his
quarters, convinced that the Mexican IA
ther did not entertain the same objec-
tions to his suit as did the Mexican
mother.
The following evening Raymer again
went to the library, this time alone.
Sonora Valencia had returned, and her
voice and Teresa's could be heard
through the panel in the adjoining
room. After a time the conversation
ceased, and the piano struck up soft
prelude that soon dropped into an &C.
compartment to grooming voice. At
the close of the song he heard grating
at the aperture in the wall, and looking
in that direction saw two dainty hands
separate the curtains. disclosing the face
of Teresa between.
"Hush!' said she. IT have but a
few moments. Papa, mamma, Aunt
Brigida and Father Gonzales are play
ing malilla in the sala. I knew you
came here evenings from the first, for
papa told me. -
"Your father told you? Do you know,
dear, I'm inclined since last night to
believe he is hoping I'll carry you off?
He knows now that am in the library,
and that you are in your music room,
with only movable panel between.
II cannot understand it, Philip. He
did not tell me not to tell mamma Of
our meeting last night, but know he
OouAu hop AoNo cAPcOeco AAo W, auu no
has said nothing himself.
ut is certainly odd" said Raymer.
"He has drawn off the domestic and &c.
clesiastic cats tonight and left the mouse
to her own Devices"
"Have you any plans, Philip"
"Plans Little else but plans. The
difficulty is to carry them out. Can you
leave the house Tuesday EVENING"
Eyes; can come into the library
through this window.
"Then at 8 O'Clock Tuesday evening
we will meet here and go to the house
of Mateo Vicentio, an alcalde. He has
promised to perform the marriage serv.
ice for us. could not make an appoint
ment for Monday. He is to be away"
docs he know who is to be the
the"-
bride, dearest? No; I have not told
him. Dress plainly and wear a veil.
Perhaps it will not be necessary to give