Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1896-01-14

| nc nGd given nsr several opportunities
to do so 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 il, 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 hand!
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"
"Yes. 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 no
felt inclined to seek Dona Teresa and
ask an explanation, but after little re-
iiection he decided to 20 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 n gentle rap
was heard upon his door Opening IL, he
found Miss Valencia and Jenny stand
ing there. At his invitation they entered,
and Teresa asked:
"Do you not think the weather suffi-
cicntly mild for me to start for Jemez?"
1.-The weather is mild enough, but
how can you pass the drifts?" replied
Raymer.
They must be passed. l can stay
here no longer
II fear you will only repeat the expe-
rieuco Of your late attempt"
mo, Mr. Raymer. You can certainly
open the way if You undertake IL. "
But =" said Raymer in Spanish, Il
language not well understood by the
maid, suppose | do not wish to under
take it,"
II do not understand you.
"Do you not know that, once out of
the valley. may never see you again"
"Quion sabo Does that matter? You
know mist GO"
True. suppose IL can matter little
10 you. did not mean TO take advan-
tage Of your unwilling presence here. |
did but reflect that, once ont Of the val
ley. ! caunot expect TO meet you again
and have an opportunity TO speak. l
would have been pleased 10 have met
you as have met young ladies at home,
bat tho usagcs Of your country have pre-
vented When on duty Ill albuquerque,
I tried every proper means 70 make
your acquaintance and failed / asked
your father -
"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:
Il asked permission to call upon You,
formally making your acquaintance,
and, il agreeable to you, 10 pursue 1t
further. Yoa know dined at your house
several timeSg"
"No; never knew you were there, "
answered Teresa, looking into the face
Of the earnest speaker. an unspoken
question written in her beautiful eyes.
"He said il could not be; that you
wero engaged To marry Ignacio Ortega
This occurred in your library. After
ward called at tho 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. de presented me 10
your mother, but he took little part III
the conversation
The girls face grew sorrowful, and
she sank back i'll the camp chair, gazing
sadly at the lieutenant, who continued.
"Tell me, Teresa, is this engagement
made with your consont?'
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 Raymcr hesitated to take full
advantage of his opportunities. His
course was unusual He had been deep
ly impressed by Teresa's attempt TO
avoid him, finding no difficulty in read