Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1895-07-05
AN OUTLAWS HEROINE

AN OUTLAWS HEROINE
Together They Perished on the
Great Western Desert.
Manalillo was only a collection Of
adobe 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 sirns of DEVELOPMENT. a ranch
man gathered up the nucleus OF flock
of sheep; some miners Quilted 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 a farther district began to
come hither. and many riders. in fan
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
1t 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 Stan
ton stage OF occasion; more than one
rode a horse for which be had never
exchanged an equivalent.
In the terse vernacular of the south
west, they were simply bad men,
II was because this portion had be-
come too numerous that the leading
citizens decided society must be reor-
ganizei. and they went about the task
me.hodically.
Among these bad men," the name
Of Domingo Juarez lei all the rest, and
it was decided by those having au-
thoritv I'm the matter that Juarez must
go" preparatory t. the establishment
Of am orderly community
When Amcda Torrcon rode into
Maualillo that afternoon to exchange
a goats fleece for measure OF meal
She learned that matters of grave i'm
portance were afoot.
4 good three leagues from Manalillo
was the ranch where NicentiO Torreon,
her father. herdcd a few goats and
basl,cd in the sun all day, asking little
i'm lifc except TO be left alone.
The night was still as it was white,
except for the far-yelping of a coyote
F or the hoot OF an owl.
After a time the sound Of distant
/ hoofbeats was added to these. \
horseman drew in sight, silhouetted
against the clear sky. rode up to them
f at an easy lopc and halted in front of
+ the hut.
You are glad to see me, said the
rider, sarcastically, as neither the man
nor the girl stirred lit is worth riding
/ far for such welcome"
I'VE are tired" answered Armeda'
inditTerenuy.
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 a silent assent,
remembering now 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
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.
The arroyo is a cursed place" he
said
Then he put his hand upon his horse.
Juan is sure of foot Yes, l could
bring them back But must not be
in Manalillo tonight
His manner was irresolute, and he
kept his face from the girl as he spoke
Armedd turned her eyes upon him
with languid interest
Don't let your poor goats interfere
with your pleasures she said, doubt
less some one will miss you if you are
not there"
the devil, no. You know it is not
that, Armcda. But there will be some
good play tonight
OH very we'll shall go for the
goats again, when have rested.
"What? Up the arroyo? Tonight?
That is nonsense. See here-I will 60
if you will promise me"
Il will not promise II you cannot
do this for me"
u but jested" he said quickly. 81
shall go and find your goats"
He turned and rode away. Ana Ar
media stood and watched until he was
well out Of sight and hearing. Then
she went into the bit of chapparal and
returned. driving before her a dozen
Gne Angora goats, whose long silken
coats showed, even in the moonlight
the purity of their breeding.
'If he rides till he finds them he will
not be in Manalillo this night" she
said. contentedly, to herself, as she
> fastened the flock securely in the in
closure.
1t wanted yet two hours of dawr
when Armeda, lying awake with some
Uniformed fear upon her heart. heard
r again the sound of approaching hoofs
I She arose, drew a blanket hastily
about her and went outside the hut
In an instant Domingo was by hei
side and leaned from his saddle and