The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1895-05-02

Daughter, said the priest, ''let me
conduct you to your room. -
Teresa took the proffered arm, and
yielding to resentful impulse of re-
turning pride greeted Ortega with a
fripid bow and turned with a smile to
the lieutenant.
Good night Mr.. Raymer, f" she said,
"and thank you very much for this en-
tertainment ON my last evening in the
valley. You nave been very kind to me
during my involuntary stay. and shall
not forget it. ;"
GOOD night, Miss Valencia Your
company has been very pleasant, and !
only regret that it has not oftener been
bestowed upon me. replied the young
officer holding tie door ajar and in
clining his head as the priest and his
niece passed out, followed by the maid
Jenny.
Raymer was left alone with the man
whom he had instinctively recognized
as the person selected by the parent
valencias to be the husband Of their
daughter. He also recognized him to be
the brilliantly attired caballero whom
the drunken wagon master had sent be-
meath the wheels of his train. Realizing
this, it was difficult for him to be more
than civil.
As for Ortega, reared after the strict
est Spanish rule governing the associa-
ton of the young, denied the privilege
so common among American youth Of
social intimacy with the young ladies Of
his station, the sight of his future wife
presiding at the table of this military
gringo in his personal quarters, alone
and in this isolated region, was, to his
mind, susceptible of but one interpreta-
tion. But the silence must be broken
and social amenities maintained. Ray
mer approached the stranger.
"Senor Ortega of Beralillo, I believe"
he said in Spanish.
"The same, senor. And you are the
comandante de los wales, Teniente
Raymer?"
Eyes. Have you any attendants or
escort?''
'No; the padre and are alone"
"Where are your animals?"
"In charge of the guard.
''I will go out for a moment and or
der them stabbed. Remove your over
coat and make yourself comfortable.
Leaving the cabin, Raymer ordered
the horses cared for and then directed
Cain to procure bedding for his guests
and make up two cots in his quarters.
When he re-entered, he saw young
man standing before the fire, divested Of
his outer clothing. He was apparently
25 years old, nearly 8 feet in height. Of
compact figure, possessing shapely limbs
md delicate hands and feet. His COM
plexion was dark and his eyes and hair
black. His face was handsome and reg
ular, except for narrowness through
the temples, which brought the eyes
near together, indicating little depth Of
character and lack of firmness. Ray
mer at once felt an instructive repul-
sion, not on account of Ortega's rela-
tions to Teresa, but on hi fwn account
The young Mexican " pt now clad
in the national costum( ling DRESSED
in an ordinary suit Of gra A rife, two
revolvers and several pad ges Of am
munition lay on top of the overcoat and
poncho, which he had thrown over a
chair.
Before word could be exchanged be-
tween the young men the door opened,
and the cassocked figure of Padre Gu
tierrez entered, his whole demeanor
changed. Evidently his interview with
his niece had been satisfactory. Ap-
preaching, with both hands extended, he
exclaimed:
''Ah, my brave friend, it brightens
ones eyes and warns ones heart to see
you again. It seems long time since
we met"
"Since last October, when we were
corralled by the Navajoes at La Roca
Grande.
"And you and the sergeant behaved
30 gallantly, coming out best men as
usual. And how have you been these
winter days in this coolest of regionsY'
"Fairly comfortable, as you can see "
eyes. This is pleasant cabin sure
ly, and you can have generous fire
when you need it. But pray, pardon
me, I am neglecting a duty. Senior
Teniente Raymer, permit me to intro
duce my friend, Don Ignacio Ortega
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 lave been in the saddle since
noon, - replied Ortega, "and your val.
ley temperature and wind are search
ing"
"The ride and cold have given us ex-
cellent appetites, " added the priest.
Ibid you find the snow deep, IA
| ther:" asked the lieutenant
'There was no snow until we left the
river and but few inches until we were
within a short distance of the valley.
Had you not opened the drifts we should
have been obliged to turn back"
'The path was cut today" said the
! officer
$50 Ls's:la Teresa has told me, and