Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1895-12-27

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turn.
"My home is in a great city," Holt
answered smiling, "where people are
as thick as the flowers on the plateau
yonder."
"And are there girls there like me?"
with wistful expression.
"Plenty Of them. Tell me how you
have been educated?'
"My father Taught me to read, and I
have read my few books over and over.
When the wind bowls in the winter and
the sun hides, then I read
"Let me see your books"
She brought them, the bound volumes
be had noticed. On the title page was
the name Norman Loring" written in
nervous hand.
"What is your name?" asked Holt.
"vida. My father told me should
go east one day and live among my peo-
pie, but now there is no chance, though
Miguel says he will soon take me to
beautiful place where everything is fine
and grand, but then if there are only
Castilians there, as he says, I shall not
like it..
Anita called them to the midday
meal, and in the porch they encountered
an old, grey haired Mexican, looking
down on the unconscious form of Mi
guel, with an expression Of mingled
anxiety and aversion. King sat by smok-
ing cigarette.
The travellers learned from Roderigo
that his sons evil tendencies were a
great distress to him. They could see
that both wife and father were afraid of
Miguel.
"And the young lady? Does he i'll
treat her?' asked King.
''Not so, curse him p exclaimed the
old man excitedly. "Sorry the day
brought him here to squander the sig
nor's property and bring evil to his
child. Miguel would put away Anita,
the faithful one, and marry with the
beautiful Americana. Even in two days
from now he plans to do it. And she,
the innocent, thinks not of his wicked
ways. Signor, am old. Anita is a
woman. We guard and watch the inno-
cent senorita, but what can we do il he
carries her beyond the Santa Rosa?
could kill him He is devil, but he is
my own flesh and blood.
His listeners were Mortified at this
disclosure Of villainy.
''The gentlemen, is they marry?"
asked Roderigo "Then they take away
for awhile the senorita, even though
Miguel kill his father and Anita, too,
through rage
Holt and King conferred together.
Anita was consulted. The result was
that the hunters and their self assumed
charge started before sunset that after
noon for Atwood ranch.
"Well, Holt" said his host as the two
smoked together on the night Of arrival,
''for an unmarried man, Or men, for /
share your misfortune, I should say you,
or we, were in something Of box. "
"What are you going to do about this
marvellous find?'
"Hunt up her relatives the first
thing" answered Holt. ''But," reflect
ing gloomily, "what if they don't choose
to recognize her?"
''Loring is not an unusual name. I
have before me the task of approaching,
by word Or letter, every individual Lor-
ing of whom hear, at the risk Of being
thought most impairment.
'There's Norman Loring Of New Or
leans,'' unused Atwood; ''he's we'll
known to me, and one Of the best fell
lows in the world
"Norman? is his name Norman?"
said Holt rapturously. "He might be a
nephew or cousin. This girls father
was Norman Write him at once, At
wood, and it would be no harm to init
mate that the orphan has flock of some
thousands of sheep and a bunch Of good
horses The fact that he won't have a
pauper on his hands may sharpen his
memory"
'Hold now, Dick" said Awtood.
"Loring is as upright as the day. He'll
tell us the truth.
Atwood's friend proved to be the
nephew of Vida S father, who, he wrote,
lowing to financial and social troubles,
had gone to Texas over 20 years before.
His friends were unaware of his mar
riage. If Mr.. Holt Oh his way north
would kindly escort Miss Loring as far
as the Crescent City, his mother would
take charge Of her NIECE
In the interim the bachelor had ample
opportunity to make things agreeable
for their guest, whose native good sense
and entire freedom from artificiality
charmed and interested them.
One afternoon when Holt was riding
at Vida's side a bullet whistled close,
very close, to his ear. He turned in
time to see Miguel creeping off through
the cedars. A party secured the country
in search of him that night, but were
unsuccessful.
Anita and Roderigo were the sole &C.
cupants of the ranch when King took
possession Of it four months later at the
instigation Of the owner.
"And what became of the heroine?'
some one asked to whom this story was
told.
"Holt fell in love with her and would
have married her if Atwood had not got
ahead of him..