The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1897-08-10
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Paul Mansfield stood near the door
watching the graceful dancers. among
whom was his friend, the Captain; but,
though much Interested, he could not
help noticing that the Mexican men
tired at him by twos and threes, aud
That they whispered excitedly, and
that their black eyes burned with
anger. AS he could not think that he,
n perfect stranger, could he the cause
OF Esther excitement, he gave it no
further thought.
When the hour he had set himself
was up he decided to go home without
notifying his friend.
lie had gone but few PAGES from
the door when he heard rush and
felt himself being hurled to the ground.
Looking up he saw II number of men
bending over him with knives in their
hands, and one of them Missed:
Make an outcry and we will kill
you!"
Paul was unarmed, and though
brave rs lion, he realized that resist
ance would make bad case worse. As
the men began to bind his arms he
asked:
What are you going to do with
me?"
We will take You to Senior Diaz's
house and keep you there till Bernal
Valdez returns from Aqua Caliente in
the morning." replied the man who
seemed to be in command.
But why take me there? I will
give you all the money have about
me"
I'VE do not want your money"
'What thcn?"
"Vengeance for Bernal Valdezl He
will kill you with his own hand for
running away with the girl that was to
have been his wife"
Upon my soul, never ran away
with girl-neyer dreamed of doing
such a thing. You have the wrong
man. Let me tell You who an"
"Hou are Doctor Brandon! Not an
other word. Come, come, padres; let
us carry this griugo off"
The latter part of this remark was
addressed to the other Mexicaus. who
had now bound the young mans feet,
and forthwith they picked him up and
carried him off with much ease.
Being perfect stranger in the town.
Paul Mansfield knew nothing about
the narrow streets aud dark. dingy
houses which they passed. At length
his captors entered m archel gateway,
and, taking him into dark room, they
threw him on the floor aud told him
that he would DO killed if he raised his
voice.
He heard the shooting of bolt in n
heavy lock and then the retreating
steps Of the men
The apartment was very dark, and
the cords hurt him. His pain was
growing uncomfortable, wheu, to his
great joy, he heard door opening
softly behind him.
Before he could turn his head beau
tiful girl appeared before him with n
lamp in her hand
Without word she cut his cords.
and rs he rose to his feet to thank her.
indescribaPle was his surprise to find
the arms of the beautiful girl about his
neck md to feel her kisses on his
bronzed check while she sobbed.
My brother! oh, my brother, you
must hyn'
1t must be confessed that sense of
gratitude prevented the young mans
| permitting al tho kissing 10 be on one
ID. or 1t may bc that ne did not wish
to retain what was evidently intended
for onsrlog person, and so gave the
kisses back Brieiy, hc told her that
! ne was not her brother, and explained.
80 far as he could, how he came into
his present embarrassing situation.
| Aud with % bcwiteliuH smile she told
/ him how she hal heard his capsors say
that they had caught Doctor Brandon,
the gentlemen who had married her
| twin sister, Alaria aud that she came
TO free him
She did not tell him, for it was n sad
subject with hcr, that her father had
settled that she should take her sisters
place and become the wife of Bernal
Valdez.
Through n faithful servant she had
| Pall Mansfield conducted back ~ the
/ Fonda, whore me found Captain Lamar
anxionsly searching for him.
The adventure was explained. and
/ The Captain laughed atitvcry heartily,
/ declaring chat he would willingly un-
/ dcrso the same suffering if assured of
/ the same treatment by q beautiful girl
a' tho end Bcrnul Valdez and num-
Der of Mexican called ut the engineer
comp the next day and eyed Paul
7 Molsicld sharply. Though appear
ances were against them, they had TO
be satisfied that this was another case
Of mistaken identity Had the advcn-
turo stopped here they would have