Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1896-01-28

4
stretched along its 'front.'
Raymer opened the gate, crossed the
lawn and stopped an instant to survey
the dark walls before him, then stepped
upon the veranda, unlocked the door
and entered. He was not unacquainted
with the room, having been there with
Senior Valencia several times during his
previous visits to Albuquerque. He
therefore encountered no difficulty in
obtaining and lighting a lamp The
room was about 90 feet square and well
lined with bookshelves. Several choice
paintings adorned the walls A bust OF
Apollo, small statue Of Psyche, cou-
pie of bronzes, few specimens Of Pueb-
10 pottery were gracefully disposed here
and there A stepladder, lounges,
chairs, tables and desk. resting upon
fine carpet, made q handsomely fur
nished library.
On the side next the residence, about
four feet above the floor, Raymer no
ticed a square aperture, now closed by
| q panel. Above tho casing was rod,
upon which hung. by heavy gilt rings,
| two blue silk curtains A large skylight
in the fiat roof lighted the apartment
The ample shelves were loaded with
books in many languages, chiefly Span
ish and English. Some Of them were
rare and old. quaint and rich in bind
ing.
Raymer selected volume and sat
down at table, pretending to read.
His thoughts, however, were not cen
fined to the p..5e. They were dwelling
upon the all absorbing subject that had
occupied them since Christmas at Los
Wales Grandes. He was again planning
means for accomplishing the purpose
which had brought him to this town.
During the past few days he had culti-
waited the acquaintance OF the half dozen
alcaldes in the place, with the hope that
one among them might be induced to
perform the marriage service for him.
self and Teresa
While reviewing his experience with
the alcald,s Rayiner heard the voices
of women ON the other side Of the panel
He could not distinguish their words,
but he recognized the tones OF Mrs. Va
lencia and her daughter. The latter
seemed to be tearfully pleading and the
other earnestly persuading Silence fol-
lowed, 10 be succeeded by rush OF pre-
liminary notes over the keys Of fine
piano, which settled into nocturne OF
Chopin, which in turn ran into plain
tive and sobbing Spanish melody. The
music ceased, and all was still
The lieutenant bowed his head upon
the book before him and dropped into a
gloomy reverie over the almost hopeless
outlook. He was aroused and brought
back TO the present by a click at the
gate A step came up the walk. the door
opened. and Senor Valencia entered. He
greeted the young officer cordially, and
the two were soon engaged in earnest
conversation, which lasted until n late
hour.
The following night about the same
routine was repeated. On the two sue
ceeding nights the merchant came much
later, but ON Saturday night he proposed
accompanying the lieutenant They
walked slowly across the plaza and mp
the street leading to the Valencia home,
engrossed in discussion Of an archao-
logical dispute rs 20 the route pursued
by Cabeza dc Vaca in his journey across
the plains from the gulf coast in 1855
TO Compostella on the Pacific.
Senor Valencia had recently received
treatise from an eastern scholar who
made claim for more southern route
than the one usually accepted.
As the gentlemen neared the house
Raymer noticed ray of light piercing
the darkness from the keyholc Of the IL
brary door and was presently surprised
to see his companion open the door with
out first using his key, precisely as
though he expected TO find il unfastened.
| Throwing the door open, he stepped
aside To allow his guest to precede him.
The lieutenant crossed the threshold and
was astonished TO find Teresa sitting at
table with a book before her She
yaised her eyes, and seeing who had
come in rose and came forward with ex-
tended hand. The whole occurrence was
so out Of the recognized order OF New
Mexican usage, so much like what might
occur at his own home, that the lieu
tenant had to exercise some personal re
straint in order to exhibit no surprise
IL have brought Mr.. Raymer. my
| dear, TO show him the book you are er-
| amining," said Senior Valencia
~ have just been comparing it with
our other authorities" Z" observed Teresa
II am not ready to believe that Vaca
passed into Mexico through northern
Texas. There is no evidence that trav-
eled route ever led in that direction,
while the generally accepted northern
one had existed for centuries and is still
used, natural highway.
"Yes, and there are many other slight
but excellent evidences that the argu-
ment is faulty. Vaca mentions eating
-four made Of pine nuts. will find his
journal, Mr.. Raymer. Take seat by
the table. +"
Raymer seated himself beside Teresa,
and her father went to farther corner
for the journal.
"Tell me, Teresa" he said in whis-
per, what does this mean:"
lido not know, Philip Mamma went
to the rancho yesterday to be gone until
tomorrow, and papa asked me to meet
him here this evening to examine this
book +"
Senior Valencia returned with parch-
ment covered volume and opened to
page from which he read:
There are in that country small
pine trees, and the seeds Of them are
like small eggs. While green they are
beaten and made into balls, and thus
eaten. II dry, they are pounded and
consumed in the form Of flour. As tho
pinon does not grow in Texas, feel con-
vinced that vaca passed through New
Mexico"
This subject requiring repeated ref
erences to the library shelves. formed
the chief topic of conversation through
out the evening and was the means OF
showing Philip the strong bond Of SYM
pathy existing between father and
daughter and something Of the literary
accomplishments Of the beautiful girl
After pleasant evening he left for his
quarters, convinced that the Mexican fa-
ther did not entertain the same objec-
tions to his suit as did the Mexican
mother.
The following evening Raymer again
went to the library, this time alone.
| cs.,>o-o Valarr;, had rafuruad and her