Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1897-08-24
FELIX NARCHANT.
By CLARENCE PULLEI.
Copyright, 1854. by the Aushor:i
CHAPTER w.

fCopy right, 1891. by the Author.i
CHAPTER ".
Il was q trugic story that Captain
Boston, the officer in command Of the
Indian scouts, had to tell Of tho past
nights doings Of the renegade Apaches
upon the San Simon plain. Two mail
buckboards had been attacked. and the
drivers and two passengers, all that
were with them, killed. The Apaches
had, Of course. driven away the mules,
and they had rified the mail bags in
search Of letters containing money, OF
which these Indians fully know the
value.
Reports had come to Camp Bowie
that hertler had been killed on the
plain to the south and that several pros
pectors had been massacred in the Chiri-
cahua mountains. A courier riding from
the northeast had met the detachment
Of scouts with the story Of burning
buildings seen to the north in the direc-
ton Of the Gila river 1t was probable
that the Apaches, sweeping northeaster-
ly, were now harrying the Gila valley
with the Accomplishments Of outrage and
massacre that characterize all their
raids. 4 Jody Of trcols were in direct
pursuit Of the Apaches. and Captain
Beston's company Of scouts was ON
its way eastward to cut of the rene
gades should they attempt to make their
way back TO Mexico, through the Burro
mountains Other detachments Of troops
had been ordered by telegraph from
Fort Bayard and Fort Craig to points
where they might be able to intercept
the Apaches should they try to reach
Mexico by way Of the plain to the, east
or to the west Of Fort Cummings, in
Cooks canyon.
Its the worst outbreak in years,
he said lit has been carefully and
secretly planned. and we know that
from 80 to 30 Indians have gone north
ward across the stage trail. They will
number half more after they have
been joined by Apaches sneaking away
from the reservations, enough TO do a
vast deal Of mischief before any troops
can overtake them. and to make hard
fight il they are cornered. They will
scatter into bands. q half dozen maybe,
and we shall get reports OF outrages
from as many different quarters at once.
"It's gcod luck the old Mexican's
outfit didn't get baeged-and you. too, "
he added. had already told the officer
the story Of the doings Of the night so
fur as Felix ard were concerned.
"You and your friend. as well AZ
they, seem to have run about every
chance Of their getting you ut one time
or another during the night BY the
way, isn't Don Ramon fine type Of
the old style Spanish hidalgo: WAS at
his hacienda ONCE, years ago, and was
royalty enter; Ucd, l can assure you
He's wealthy, but what he most values
is his descert from some Of the historic
families Of Spain. He prides himself ON
his blue blood and upholds the honor OF
his ancestral rame in all his conduct
Isn't she lovely girl, that daughter at
hisi What eyes ard hair!
As he spo,.c these last words he was
looking at Carmen. standing III the
doorway. an ideal vision of Spanish
grace and beauty rs she gazed in shrink
ing wonder upon the band Of savage
scouts with half coqucttish affecta-
ton Of Inconsistencies Of the i'll con-
cealed admiration with which the two
younger officers were regarding her.
There's a romance about her. he
continued. land think this journey Is
q sequel to it, There's d young Mexican
connected with some good Spanish
American families, but poor. who wants
to marry her Whether the girl likes
him don't know. Her preferences in
the matter wouldn't count very much,
with even very affectionate Mexican
father. you know. However that may
be, Don Ramon won't hear TO his suit
He's dashing, handscms fellow, this
5angrado-Gaspar Sangrado's his name
Ills CluIitttt - uClc w kSoN, V'on AcA
such country us this He has been in
several shooting scrapcs, and, great
many believe, has done some business
as road agent and stock thief. At all
events. he is probably equal to any des-
perate act if his pride or jealousy is once
excited. He swears that lie will have
the girl, with or without her fathers
consent.
whether or not Don Ramon thinkt
the chances worth considering that the
young desperate might induce his
daughter 10 olope with him, or carry
her of by fierce. he is going to save him
self all anxiety IN the matter by plac-
ing her in convent scLcol III Santa Fe.
and Is taking her there himself. II Don
Gaspar Sargrado should make it In his
way to come upon them during this
journey, something would be apt to
happen as dramatic es the liveliest OF
stage tragedy sceues. But such con-
tingency as this isn't worth minding by
comparison with the chances of falling
In with the Apaches again, when your
luck might be worse than 1t was last
night. I confess don't like to see an
outfit with women along out on the
trail in time such as this. ! hope
YOU IL all stay here at the station until