The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1895-04-13
AN OUTLAWS HEROINE.
Together They Perished on tho
Gre at Western Desert.

Mannlillo was only q collection of
adobe huts, huddled under the eve of
the burning sun, in the midst of the
burning Arizona desert.
Maybe it had been there an hundred
years-maybc twice that time-for its
annals wero 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 Quilted and
went prospecting in the mountains; q
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 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 q serious mat
ter to call them gamblers. Some of
them were more than suspected of hay
ing helped to "hold up the FortSt
ton stage on occasion; moro than ono
rode horse for which he had never
exchanged an equivalent i
In the terse vcrnacular of the south,
west, they were simply "bad men,"
1t 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
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
Manalillo that afternoon to exchange
a goats fleece for measure of meal
she learned that matters of grave i'm
portance were afoot
good three leagues from Manalillo
was the ranch where Vicentio Torreon,
her father, herded n few goats and
basked in the sun all day, asking little
in life except to be left alone.
The night was still rs it was white,
except for the far-yclping of coyote
or the boot 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 hnlted in front of
the hut
You are glad to see me-" said the
rider, saTcastically, us neither the man
nor the girl stirred; cit is worth riding
far for such welcome"
eve are tired" answered Armeda,
inditferently.
Yes, Domingo, we do something
besides play, We" grunted Torrcon.
The horseman flung himself down
beside the girl Tell me-" lie said.
owe have lost the new goats"
"The ones you had from the EnC-
lishman?'
Torreon chucllled q silent assent,
remembering how they had gotten
them.
Did he come for them9" asked Do
mingo.
"Dah, 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 thcm?Y
Yes, until could go no further"
Domingo rose and stood looking
across the plain.
The arroyo is 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 irrcsolutc, and he
kept his face from the girl as he spoke
Armcda 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, mol 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 1 have rested"
What? Up the arroyo? Tonight?
That is nonsense. See hcre-I will go
if you will promise me-"
II will not promise. If you carnot
do this for me-
II but jested," he said quickly. 1T
shall 90 and find yonr orootsn