Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1896-02-22

W ihtoN VI tllO ubJoIlllhS loOlh.
The girl was fondling the face of a
finely formed cream white mare, at
whose side stood colt, tiny copy of
its mother. "Muncino always comes
down from the bluff for water every day
at this time" she said, STOPPING to un-
loose the hobble from the fore legs of
the animal.
"Do you ride her much:" asked Holt,
as the mare moved away.
II used tC, but for long time now
am hardly allowed to go cut of Anita
sight. When 1 do ride, Roderigo goes,
too, and he likes not to ride fast. ="
eff we had known, You might have
ridden with us, said Holt.
An eager look shone i'll her eyes.
"Ah, to gallop fast and fart would
be nice!' she exclaimed
A sudden impulse seized the man at
iler side.
care you happy hero?'' he asked.
"Are they kind to you? Believe me,
wonid serve you if ! could!'
"Anita is good. She loves me, the
girl responded slowly. Il am sure of it,
because one day she put her arms around
ne all at once, when she and Miguel
had been quarreling dreadfully, and
heard her tell him that she was willing
to die for me if necessary, and then she
gave great sob and pressed me close to
her breast. Miguel was very angry. He
cursed her and shook his fist in her
face"
"And Miguel? Is he kind?"
ALWAYS. He brings me pretty things
from beyond the Rio, where he sells the
wool. He brought me this" touching a
gold chain about her throat) 'and this,
my fete dress, which l wear because
today am H."
The dress was of dark blue. brocaded
rtuff, with lace about tho throat, and
loosely tucked up sleeves, fashioned in
such Il way as to leave the pretty arms
bare to the elbow. Holt realized what
had made her appear such striking
picture among the cactus blossoms. 1t
was this gown of shining, floating blue.
"Were you born here:" he asked.
"No In San Antoine My mother
had Spanish blood in her veins. My
father said had eyes like hers. Is your
home like this?" she questioned in her
turn.
"My home is in 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 howls in the winter and
the sun hides, then read. "
'Let me see your books. -
She brought them, the bound volumes
he 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 1 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, l shall not
like it,.
Anita called them to the midday
meal. and in the porch they encountered
all old, grey haired Mexican, looking
down Oh 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 We're a
great distress to him. They could see
that both wife and father were afraid of
Miguel.
"And the young lady? Docs he i'll
treat her?" asked King
"Not so, curse him! ~ exclaimed the
old man eXcitedly "Sorry the day 1
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
woman. We guard and watch the innO-
cent senorita, but what can we do if he
Caiiit HCl poyoHh tiiC NhlltN 1eosa! L
could kill him! He is a devil, but he is
my own flesh and blood. -
His listeners were Mortified at this
disclosure of villainy.
1.-THE gentlemen, is they marry?"
asked Roderigo. "Then they take away
for awhile the scnorita, 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 S 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, should say you,
or we, We're in something of box"
"What are you going to do about this
marvellous tind?''
"Hunt up her relatives the first
thing" answered Holt. But" reflect.
ing gloomily, "what if they don't choose
to recognize her?"
"LOrlng is not an unusual name. L
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 impertinent.
"There's Norman Loring of New Or
leans" unused Atwood; "hc's well
known to me, and one of the best fell
lows i'll the world"