Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1898-03-06

~>NAeSA ChS SooA dc. itC ASSaNy Sdl0
was barred, but tire was little hol-
low in the adobe. She ran out into
the street and piced up board. 1t
leaned securely aginst the wall; and
with one hand ste;lied by the barber
'Chona sprang up, nd thence went 10
the top Of the wall lightly as a grass
hopper, Then she knelt on the flat
adobes, the odor violets about her,
for old Pascural lid been watering
them, the little baber looking up 1T
her. The rebozo hal slipped back, and
her ruflled hair stod out about the
round face.
Are they fish? Are they toads
these barbers?" Prfirio, over in the
gulley, could not Understand. Have
they no blood, thes pigs and sons OF
pigs? Do they nevr kiss? But will
taste with my knit, If it is water in
his veins? What d they say?"
Hadn't I better 'ait and see il you
can get into the no Sc, Miss 'Chona?"
"Oh, but I can! l see Pascural's
pruning knlfe-and that will reach
through the crack c the door and life
49, 't'A' EAuioS, IS'Slcl DiCuOlS.
She dropped lightly down into the
garden, and was gne Mr.. Badgers
hid the board anc sauntered quietly
down the street. II the shadow on the
other side figure came out from be-
hind the shrubbey and followed
noisely.
Dona Maria Evagelista Ortiz, an
ancient virgin Of stately mien, was
less fortunate in Ter slumbers that
night than she was wont. Long after
little 'Chona had slipped In unheard
the house rang with words, a scuf4lc, a
crash, a scream in 'Chona's voice, a
babel of cries in which there were
even English. Dons Maria had blood
in her veins, and If ler hand trembled
as she struck a candle, she did not
falter, but strobe ont into the vile
Zaguan.
"Valgame Dios! There was the lit
tie waiting maid stretched upon the
floor, her long braids twisted about her
neck. and the blood trickling from a
cash in her forehead. Beside her,
holding the poor little head upon his
arm and kissing away the blood, was
Porfirio trembling and moaning.
"Dios milo! What Is this? What do
you in my house?" The Senorita Ortiz
was terrible now; but Porfirio seemed
to grow cool under her flashing eyes
Look to your jewel chest" he said
calmly came too late to save it
too late to save this, my soul, my lit
tie 'Chona. That barber, the goat, was
carrying it away, ana she heard him
and caught him and struggled to take
1t from him. And the dog struck her
upon the forehead and was gone with
it even as l came-for seeing him
climb the wall of the garden l fol
lowed"
The old bronze bell in the garden
struck up the liveliest repliuue that j,
had ever throated; and half Monterey
came running. Dona Maria was calm
as calm. She had come into her fit
habiliments, and 'Chona's wound was
dressed, and 'Chona beamed on Por-
frio, with soft eyes that any one might
know that he would never have tc
doubt again. OF surety the house
had been robbed, and the thief mus
be caught but 1t was not Dona Maria
Evangelista Ortiz who would be in ar
unseemly stew about this.
If the Constable's spurs had not beer
the handsomest in Monterey-anf
therefore not to be left behind when
State occasions came-the San Ansel-
mo might not have got clear of the
wharf before he came galloping down
But fate Is so. Word was sent, how.
ever, TO San Luis Obispo, and when The
boat landed there the officers found q
little man who answered the descriD.
ton: but no chest or jewels, though
the San Anselmo was searched from,
end to end. ....
In Monterey when one makes hue
and cry over any ordinary loss, the
gossips shake their heads pityinglv
Porque? Now there was Dona Maria
who lost a chest so big Showing with
the arms outstretchedl--a chest full al
diamonds and rubies and pearls-with.
out the flicker Of an eyelash. If Others
were as brave!
For you see the barber never told
what he found when he pried up the
lid; and as for the Senorita Ortiz. she
will go to the grave with the secre,
OF what was packed in camphor In the
old teak chest.