Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1896-01-28
7
By Captain O. A. CURTIS, U.s. A.
Copyright, 1874, by American Press Associa
tion.l
[coSrrSUED.]

| them have every barrelP' exclaimed the
lieutenant as he and Clampet fired.
''Not at retreating foe, my son. !
fire only in defense, replied the priest
IAN Indian or two less now, father,
might make defense unnecessary ut
some future time" remarked Clampet,
half cooking his rifle
With few earnest congratulations
upon their escape and muttered Cow
ardly cur". from the padre, term
which could not be applied to any one
of the little gronp present, the party re-
sumed its march. To the surprise Of the
lieutenant, Father Gutierrez rode in ad-
vance with the soldiers, and for the
time being, acting perhaps upon gen.
erous impulse begot Of his disgust ut
Ortega's flight, abandoned the espionage
Of his niece.
Rayp,er looked fondly into the eyes
Of the girl whom he held closely to his
breast. All barriers We're for the mo.
ment forgotten. The despair Of few
hours past was now swept away by this
tide Of unexpected JOY brought on by a
wave Of conflict and storm.
''Did offend when / called you dar'
ling?" he asked.
Teresa did not speak. He read his
answer in her eyes and slight pressure
of her arms. Hc ventured TO kiss her
unshrinking lips and said;
"You will not marry that poltroon
Ortcga, Teresa mia?"
A moments pause, and then the an
swer:
Never, il can avoid it.. J."
"And il l can persuade your parents
to allow my suit will You be my wife,
dearest?"
Another pause. to Raymer an age
Then came the reply:
Yes" smothercd in kiss.
"Yes. Philip-say it please" he
urged.
eyes, Philip But think You have a
difficult task before you. You do not
know how prcjudiced mamma is against
Americans. "
"Is she So very terrible. dearests"
"Not terrible. Philip. She is the
dearest and best mamma in tho world,
but she does dislike Americans, although
she made sn exception in your case SO
far as to wish you were Mexican once p"
"When was that, prayg"
"The time you defended me in Santa
Fe and Ignacio ran away, dear. She Is
most opposed 10 marriages out Of her
church.
"'All things come 10 him who
waits, and il you will not marry Ortega
nor any one but me the field is open,
and shall try TO win.
A pause in the march was now made
until the packs of the two mules could
be consolidated into one. This was done
by distributing n few articles among tho
riders. The mule gained by this arrange
ment was turned over to soldier who
had been riding one Of the bronchos, and
that in turn was saddled with the saddle
taken from the dead pony and assigned
to the young lady.
Everything arranged, the column
moved on and in short time reached
the little village Of Canoncito There
they found the people in great excite
ment. preparing for an expected attack
by large band Of Navajoes. reported by
the flying Ortega to be coming down
the river after having killed or captured
all Of his party except himself That
youth soon made his appearance, but
exhibited no shame for his conduct. He
greeted all with earnest congratulations
Mt their escape and expressed much re-
gret that by the breaking OF his horses $
curbstrap ne had lost control Of the ami
NAL and was carried away from scene
where every impulse Of his nature
prompted him to remain No one re-
piled to his remarks.
The remaining six miles to Jeme5
were soon passed over, and at nightfall
the travlers arrived at the house Of Pa
DIRE Gutierrez The priest had resumed
his watchful oversight Of Dona Teresa
ut Canoncito, and from that time until
the lieutenant left for the valleys, two
days later, gave him no opportunity TO
converse with her. When the time came
for his departure, Raymer asked per
mission TO see her for moment in the
presence of her uncle. but the priest re-
piled. with kindly smile:
II cannot permit ii, my brave friend.
Mischief enough has already been done
moro, fear. than can be repaired in
many days If you were son Of the
Catholic church. your gallantry and de.
votion and Ignacio's cowardice on the
Jemez might overcome my sisters an
tipathy to los Americanos, but besides
being gringo, my gallant son, You are
a hereto, and she will hardly consent
to the marriage Of her daughter with
one who is not of our faith.
And do you share in her objection
to mef" asked the disappointed soldier.
"Ah, my brave boy, no one admires
your courage. your honesty and noble
traits of character more than !, who
have so often been your companion in
the valleys and elsewhere. No woman
could have q better husband, but / am n