The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1895-01-17
AN OUTLAWS HEROINE.
Together They Perished on the
Great Western 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 tom row.
But presently the railroad came, and
with it signs 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 sma ttering 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 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 on occasion; more than one
rode horse for which he had never
exchanged an equivalent
In the terse vernacular 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.
A good three leagues from Manalillo
was the ranch where Vicentio Torreon,
her father, herded few goats and
basked 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-yclping 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, sarcastically as neither the man
nor the girl stirred; lit is worth riding
far for such welcome"
Eve are tired" answered Armeda,
indifferently.
'Yes, Domingo, we do something
besides play, we," grunted Torreon.
The horseman flung himself down
beside the girl Tell me-" he said.
1--WE have lost the new goats"
"The ones you had from the Eng
lishman?'
Torreon chuckled silent assent,
remembering how they had gotten
them.
did he come for them?" asked Do
mingo
Bah, mol 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, could
bring them back. But l must not be
in Manalillo tonight"
His manner was irresolute, and he
kept his face from the girl as he spoke.
iArlneda 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, moi You know it is not
that, Armeda 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 go
if you will promise me"
Il will not promise. If you cannot
do this for me"
Il but jested," he said quickly. II
shall go and find your goats"
He turned and rode away And Ar
media stood and watched until he was
we'll out of sight and hearing. Then
she went into the bit of chapparal and
returned, driving before her dozen
fine 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
mot DO 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 dawn
when Armeda, lying awake with some
uniformed fear upon her heart. heard
again tho sound of approaching hoofs.
She arose, drew a blanket hastily
about her and went outside the hut.