The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1895-04-25

II abe continued 10 stay. how far
would he be justified In taking advan-
tage If the intimacy chance had afford
ed? He was we'll aware that his future
happiness wos In her keeping, but was
she animated by similar interest in
him2 He w,ss obliged to confess that the
only circumstance he could interpret I'm
his favor was the doubtful one shown in
the girls reluctance to reveal her iden.
tity.
Since then she had been the we'll bred
young lady, making no reference to any
previous knowledge Of her host, although
he had given her several opportunities
to do go The little prayer book which
she had dropped from the carriage in
Santa Fe had lain on the mantel this
evening, and she had listlessly handled
it before taking her seat by the fire, but
she exhibited no interest in it, nor did
she show any consciousness Of having
seen it before.
Then the engagement to young Orte-
ga Was it possible her heart had gone
where her parents had pledged her handt
He would wait Perhaps this blessed
storm might continue long enough to
settle all these questions.
Teresa had also sat for long time by
her fireside, busy with reflections upon
her present plight. At last she arose.
and turning to her yawning maid said,
"Jenny, you may tell Cain in the morn
ing that will hereafter take my meals
in my own cabin, and you will hold no
communication with Mr.. Raymer about
it.
eyes, miss"
Next morning Jenny delivered her
mistress message to the lieutenant.
Raymer was astonished and puzzled and
attempted to recall any possible offense
he might have given his guest. He
could remember none, and at first he
| felt inclined to seek Dona Teresa and
ask an explanation, but after little re-
| Election he decided to go into the wood
with the fatigue party.
Two days passed, during which he
caught no glimpse of Teresa. On the
| morning of the third the wind ceased,
the sun shone brightly, and the melting
snow soon began to drip from the caves
of the cabins. Raymer was about to
leave his quarters when a, gentle rap
was heard upon his door. Opening 1t, he
found Miss Valencia and Jenny stand
| ing there At his invitation they entered,
and Teresa asked:
"Do you not think the weather suffi-
GENTLY mild for me to start for Jemez?"
"The weather is mild enough, but
| how can you pass the drifts?" replied
Raymer.
"They must be passed. I can stay
here no longer.
II fear you will only repeat the expe-
rience Of your late attempt"
'No, Mr.. Raymer You can certainly
open the way if you undertake it.
"But," said Raynler in Spanish, a
language not we'll understood by the
maid, suppose do not wish to under
take it?'
II do not understand you"
'Do you mot know that, once out of
the valley, may never see you again?"
"Quien sabei Does that matter? You
know mast 60"
"True I suppose it can matter little
to you. did not mean to take advan-
tage of your unwilling presence here.
did but reflect that, once out Of the val
ley, cannot expect to meet you again
and have an opportunity to speak. I
would have been pleased to have met
you as I have met young ladies at home,
but the usages Of your country have pre-
vented. When on duty in Albuquerque,
tried every proper means to make
your acquaintance and failed. I asked
your fathor''--
''You asked my papa what?'
The lieutenant glanced at Jenny, but
that discreet damsel, if she understood
anything looked uninterested and
busted herself in arranging furniture
and other articles. So he went on:
Iasked permission to call upon you,
formally making your acquaintance,
and, if agreeable to you, to pursue it
further. You know dined at your house
several times?'
''No; never knew you were there, {"
answered Teresa, looking into the face
question written in her beautiful eyes.
HE said it could not be; that you
were engaged to marry Ignacio Ortega
This occurred in your library. After
! ward I called at the house, sent in my
card and asked for the ladies. ! was re.
ceived by sonora and some elderly wom-
en-"
"Where was papa?'
''He was there He presented me to
your mother, but he took little part in
the conversation.
The girls face grew sorrowful, and
she sank back in the camp chair, gazing
sadly at the lieutenant, who continued
'Tell me, Teresa, is this engagement
made with your consent?"
There was no response for little
space, and then the girl said in English:
II must leave here at once, Mr.. Ray
mer."
An old adage says, "All is fair in love
and war, and doubtless some may Won
der why Raymer hesitated to take full
advantage of his opportunities His