Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1896-04-09
stood that a secret rested between him

und his master.
The leaves hung limp with heat, a.
sounds were hushcd save the dull thue
IL the overripe figs falling to TN
Ground as they rode into the wide patio
! The ioyous clamor of welcome ACCORDED
the master awakened Marianita from
her dreamful siesta, and with smiles
sweet words and caresses she waited
upon the weary traveller, but, like the
| faithful Indian servant, never ques'
toned the object of his journey.
The vineyards had yielded up Their
purple fruits, and the struggling vines
were trailing their gold and crimson
banners on the ground. Great piles Of
pumpkins rose like golden thrones
within the cobwebbed alamalen, while
thrones of gold glowed in the loft above,
where sun-kissed apples were heaped
high. Here, in garlands and festoons
az chill peppers. the antumn's royal
colors we're hung aloft.
Don Tiburcio stood among group
of Indians without the open door of the
alamazen, from which came the sounds
Of fun and laughter, where the merry
Indian boys and maidens were shuck-
ing the ripened corn under the super
vision Of old Ysidor.
Don Tiburcio stood before a long.
rough table, upon which We're several
pans and one large pail, with huge
iron spoon. With sharp knife he cut
into round of beef at his side, dipped
the strips of meat into the large pail
before him and, laying them within the
several pans around him, called OUT
'Here Juan. Jose. Pedro, Chapo. we
will give Don Coyote royal feast to-
day. / should like to see the grin with
which he and his brothers will receive
this generous gift. All! but his jaws
will grow too stiff to close upon our fat
Young ducks again. Nothing like
dose Of cavalonga for Senior Coyote, eh,
r1uchacos?"
Thus, with merry jest. he passed
around the fateful poison and dispersed
his duSky helpers.
As the sun sinks westward the
shucking party energies and passes cut
to the kitchen and corrals. AT sunset
Don Tiburcio's band of helpers return.
singingan old mission hymn, Domingo,
who las been mending the shcepfods.
at the head. Ihelittle procession winds
round toward the alamazen, when,
with one accord. they all stop; their
song ends in a shriebl As if turned to
stone they stand and gaze.
There sits Don Tiburcio upon the low
bench, his eyes starry and CLASSY. his
Jaws tightly locked, the whole lyure
Horribly upright and rigid. With |. cry
like Il wounded animal Domingo falls
forward upon his master mi senior.
mi senorl' he calls in harsh. choking
zones, then, without word. he puts
his strong arms around the rigid form.
Instantly the others leap forward. and
hey bear him through Marianita's
srovc, around to the veranda. Slowly
hey lay him down. and at that moment
he jaws unlock a SILVER, a girgle. The
iead falls back, the CLASSY eyes stare
Upward 70 the pitiless heavens!
Light footsteps sound down the wide
iall., a gay voice calls out: 'Parasito,
,apasito." The Indians start with ap-
'rehensioD. one muscular youth |
prings forward. lie will hold her by
main force if he must, from the sight |
4 TINT awful horror! Too late. Mari
nita bounds forward. one inarticniate
ny, she sways and falls! When Do
ningo creeps forward and lifts the arm
hat lies stretched across her fathers
reast, 1t falls back heavy, lifeless In
cath, as in life. Don Tiburcio's price
ass blossom rests safe against his
cart
1t is many days after. The relations
there are many of them-have all de-
artcd. after haTing filed the house
nth loud lamcntations and laid their
insman ard his lovely daughter in
heir double grave with all the solemn
omp OF church ceremonial.
Don Tiburcio's legal friends have
ONE. and they search for all that ru-
lored gold. They find buried gold and
liver. but stiIl they are not satisfied;
ne amount is not adequate to their
Spectations. There must be more.
Then some one remembers that Do
lingo was the confidential servant of
on Tiburcio. and they go out to blm.
here he sits in the sun and the wind
faring straight before him. always
airing. staring He lifts his head and
'oks stupidity at them when they
lestion him. At length he under
ands, and in dull monotonous tone
nd matter he tells of that journey to
os Angeles, of the metal box. the Dicks
I'd shovcls in the carreta; Of the sapa.
zion at VI Encino del Tinajc: Of the
eeting on the outskirts Of The wood.
why had not you told MS nj this be-
re. Domingo?" they exclaimed inn
ltiently
1T was all for Mariapita that he did
Know. ] knew it was secret; my
asitr knew wonld keep his secret