New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-06

"Ah," he would say. mo such lazy. careless %,
low shall be Of mine, Up you losfer, Ilay.
my daughter and attend to work, No. bepors
will not have you work for me Polt,o,,
Never come near my arrastrars or cast a ala,
dow across my path again Ramon could 80
and hear it ALL and his little soul dilatcd Mean.
while Azul pursued his circular pilgrimage a,
constantly the earth revolyed in its o,bn
and the lovers prattled as increasingly as IN.
spheres sang TO each other in the heavens
Then Ranon's successor came TO relieve b,,
and he would be free TO witness the denouernept
The blue mule could not keep on his feet urneh
longer; he must soon stagger and fall and b,
that time the alcade would pass. There could b
no failure; all was going well: and Ramon max.
ing a skilfu detour. hid behind the alcalde,
chicken house TO watch and wait and see b.
triumph
Yes. there was the alcalde across the arroya
He had received the message and left his stor,
Patience. But the mue Why did be- not pause,
Why did ne not stumble? Why did not the earth
swim under his feet7 Why did he not fall in,
heap in the path? Ramons blood boiled as he
saw Azul steadily pulling the mill around as hs
had drawn il for hours without a false step
without sign Of distress.
And see The alcalde had come W Ricari.
raised his sombrero. and the great man nodte.
to the happy couple. With his business Anal,
going forward probably. what map-ate could
object to polite attentions 10 his daughter from
the eligible one?
But Ramon swore an oath unto hirsef His
heart was lump Of Lead and beads u polspra,
ton stood on his brow. How he wished he had
time Azul was keeping on his course a. sereney
Jupiter or the far Uranus. Al things seemed
Unnatural and distorted TO Ramons turbulent
brain. He had witnessed impossib.li'ies Nov
he imagined that the blue mule looked up al hin
and sneered sardonically, and 1t made him fur-
Gus. Then he heard Azul laugh-a long. loud, IT.
ritating. maddening laugh.
When the mule brayed, Ramon sprang o. bis
feet beside himself with rage and chagrin,
and started to flee. He could stay in QIitosn
no longer. He would put miles between himses
and the scene Of his humiliation Bu, heavy
hand was laid violently upon him and bore hin
TO the ground
80 you are the thief, are you?" said a yoia
that made him quake. 81 thought no better Of
you, fauIt-fnder. Murmurador' II il you wha
has been eating my pullets"
Alas for the quivering Ramon he could NJ
utter one word OF defence or protest, and H.
tie would it avail him II he could. The alcalds
both made laws for Qutovic and executed them
With his strong arm, ne dragged the wretch
to his feet and led him of 10 the calahoose.
When Ricardo found the severed bandage. b
OWNED the secret Of II all and h laughed
softly. Always man Of gentle moods he wu
too happy now TO harbor a grudge. All nj
favorito' he said TO the mule. a. he caresset
him that night he did not know that YOU az
blind! He did not know that II vas all TIE
same to you" And Azul wore garlands
well as Teresa, when they rode 70 the litih
adobe church At San Antoine where Padr
Francisco married and blessed them
Your blessing on Azul too" craved Ricardo
with a coin in his hand-and the holy mant
benediction rested on the blue mule Of QuitoyG