Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1898-09-16
THE RED SLIPPER.

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den from Pasadena had laid aside their
wraps, while they wandered with their es-
corts around Eagle rock. This rock is a
titanic relic of long gone ages, which
raises its solitary back some 40 feet into
the air from the valley to which it gives
Its name, and is situated about five miles
from Pasadena. 1t is peculiartin that it Is
all alone at its post of duty, no other rock
sentinel being near.
From Il point of view the rock pre-
sents IN .Obtuse angle, and upon either
face is a cave followed out by the action
of water or the labor OF other natural ma
sons. At a little distance the caves have
the appearance of the spread wings of the
national bird; hence the name.
1t is possible that the natural contour of
the caves has been intensified by the chisel
of man, as there is a legend that one or
both of the cavities, at least the more &C.
cessible of the two, was once inhabited by
an old recluse, but this seems to have been
after the brigands and banditti, who early
infested the country, had been compelled
to retire.
On the summit of the hill is a venerable
adobe, in a poor state of preservation, like
the old and lamented missions of the
church fathers, now so attractive to all
true lovers of California.
The legends that hang about this spot
are responsible for christening the adobe
retreat Robbers Roost.
The party in due time gained the sum
init and carried away either a flower or a
stone as a memento Of the occasion, one of
the more susceptible members capturing a
piece of the. old adobe.
Returning home flushed with the har-
vest Of the days experience and filled with
the magnetism of the sur, the company
stopped at the house Of a lady friend.
Before there had been much time for
conversation a gentleman Of the party,
whose bright black eyes, dark complexion
and raven hair betrayed a trace of the An.
dalusian blood, with courtly bow, handed
the surprised hostess a piece Of the old
adobe, saying, "a memento of our outing,
senorita."
The blue eyes Of the fair hostess opened
wider as she Occasionally took the crum-
bling relic. She was Il comparative stran-
ger in California and had never been in
the section visited by her friends during
the day.
She held the piece of adobe in her hand
for a few moments, when suddenly she
startled all present by exclaiming, "Oh!''
And Immediately she half sank into a
chair. Passing her left hand across her
forehead, she said half dreamily "What a
fine view! Why, it is indeed peculiarl I
see as readily and as easily as though I
were upon the spot, but my eyes are closed.
The sun shines brightly, and I sec a little
plastered house on a hill. A great wide
porch surrounds the house, which makes
it look like a great bird with widespread
wings, for l seem to be looking down up.
on the roof" There was a brief pause,
when she again exclaimed: "Oh, how
dainty! How SWEET"
By this time all in the room had gath.
cred around the speaker, who, half rcclin.
ing, half sitting, in a large oasy chair,
seemed like one entranoed.
For a moment the hum of voices seemed
to disturb Miss Alice, and she hesitated,
but frightened her grasp upon the piece Of
adobe. "Hushl' commanded the dark
eyed gentleman. "Be quiet" Then lower
ing his lone he said gently, "What Is it,
Alice2"
A deep silence fell upon the company,
which was broken by Alice.
"Oh, l see such q beautiful creature!"
she continued. "She is like a fairy, but
surely a human being. Her dark eyes are
large and lustrous, with long, silky fringe
and delicately arched brOws. Her cheeks
are soft and plump like a peach ripened
by the sun. Her lips, half parted, reveal
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the breeze, quickly, but softly Now she
stands at the edge Of the porch shading
her eyes with one of her hands, upon the
long, supple, graceful fingers of which
sparkle rare and precious jewels. Yes,
she's Spanish surely. Her short, silken
skirts rustic in the air, changing color
with every motion. Her beaded bodice is
Of black velvet aud over her shoulders ID
loosely thrown a black mantilla. Her
little feet are incased in a dear little pair
of slippers with high red heels. Now she
turns, Her eyes sparkle like diamonds.
Oh, she's gone!"
"Ahi Come back, come back! he cried
in grief quoted the funny man in the
corner, with q long drawn sigh.
"Be still, !" hoarsely whispered his neigh
Dor.
Miss Alice drew one hand across her
forehead, clutohed the fragment held in
the other and continued, scarcely noticing
the Interruption:
"There is q company Of men in the
front room, which extends across the en-.
tire house. They are seated around a long
table, eating and drinking. They are
dressed gayly like Mexicans or Spaniards,
and all are armed. Queer looking knives
and firearms are scattered over the room,
and some one seems to have given an
alarm, for many Of them are scurrying to
windows or looph0les in the walls com
manding a view of the road, from which a
cloud Of dust is rising"
Another pause and then Alice said: "Ev-
erything is black. l see nothing"
There wa a rustic In the room as some
Of the ladies shifted their positions, and a
murmur arose, which was silenced by a
quick, sharp glance Of the dark complex
Toned gentleman, who raised his forefinger
significantly.
Once more silence, and after q few mo.
ments Alice resumed: "Yes, l see now. II
10 night and very dark, hut there is a faint
Light. Yes, It comes from the Pickering
rays Of . lantern which seems to be opened
and shut alternately. It is beginning tC
rain.
"These are the forms Of two or three
men, black and shifting. They seem ia
be standing on the edge Of q deep gorge
or canyon, and behind them the outlines
Of the back part Of the little plastered
house seem wavering and unreal. The
s,nn have ,,SoLo aud 1rudor nho- -, a.