Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1895-02-08


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.
A good three leagues from Manalillo
was the ranch where Vicentio Torreon,
her father, herded a few goats and
baslled 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 a coyote
or the boot OF an owl.
After a 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
far for such welcome.
1--WE are tired" answered Armeda,
indifferently.
yes" was the firm reply.
"If you go with me now you cannot
return"
Il know"
1T will be a race for life"
YES, yes" she said, impatiently;
let us be gone"
Just then the goats, aroused by the
unusual stir at so early an hour, began
to move restlessly This seemed to re-
mind Domingo of something. He spoke
hesitatingly.
"Armeda, l did not go after the
goats"
Il know 1t does not matter. They
we're not lost. You have been to Man
alillo l tried to keep you away"
They were not lost? Good! We are
J quits, then"
With this the outlaw bent toward
his companion and drew her toward
{ him aud kissed her on the lips. Then
they settled themselves well in their
saddles, laid the reins loosely on the
necks of their horses and rode toward
the coming dawn.
For a long time they rode silently,
neck and neck. When the red streaks
of the approaching day began to show
across the bare, brown plain the girl
looked about her and shuddered.
Domingo saw and spoke:
1T is the only chance. They dare
not follow here"
It's the Malpais; the Evil Place"
she said.
Then they rode forward steadily and
calmly into the black horror.
"He is a long way Off" said the
leader OF the regulators, hating and
watching the moving specks ahead of
him; zone cannot tell here how far.
Distance cheats the eye-it lies TO
one"
lie shaded his eyes with his hand,
and looked a long time toward the
east, and again to the west, from which
they had come.
1--WE will go back" he said, after a
little; II am ashamed to give up, but
it is just as well-ne is safe-l make
no doubt of that"
lie nodded meaningly in the direc-
ton of the riders. just as safe" he
added, las though we had a rope
around his neck"
But the grip" asked one of the
band.
The leader only shrugged his shout
ders in answer and set his face to the
west.
When the fugitives, looking back,
could see their pursuers no longer,
they rested a little. Domingo un-
slung the leathern water-bottle from
his shoulder, which had not been
touched until now, and gave Armeda a
drink
Then he made a motion as il swal-
lowing some himself, and poured lit
tie of the water into the palm of his
hand and moistened the mouths Of the
horses with it.
The midday sun rose high overhead,
and as they rode on through the long
afternoon, on through the scorching
desert, on through the terrible Nal
pals, it beat down upon them merci
lessly.
The wind that came across the
dreary waste was blown straight from
crying bitterly, with her face buried
in the sofa cushion. ''Oh, mother!
must have it? Can't we write and
say that the dogs home may keep it?"
Content, are you mad? What do
you mean?'
ITS Tom" moaned Content lam
sure he was going to say something to
me last night, but somehow he could
never manage it. and he will never
speak now. Mother, would it b, very
wicked not to tell anybody about the
money at present? Surely 1t wouldn't
be difficult to keep it a secret about
this new will for time?"
"And deceive Tom2- ~ dear Con-
-