Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1898-07-06
WITH THE
PRICE OF BLOOD.

" OLA Wei All, simple cnllu ol u
- enlleless race, believed In her very
- soul that wealth would outweigh
In the heart of Antonio Mascayel the
beauty OF Refuglo Garfias, great ana
renowned though that might be.
Therefore, and for this only, did she
sigh for riches and hate the poverty
with which Providence had sect fit to
curse her. For Sofa was not beautiful,
save for the beauty that some find In
firm chin and "A powerful mouth, wide
forehead and deep eyes oyerset with
mighty brows-which may have their
charm for the student of his kind, but
not for lover, and, least of all, for
Mexican lover.
Antonio Mascayel preferred the type
Of Refugio -small-featured, red-lipped,
soft-eyed, graceful, and lovely as
dark Venus. And his opinion was also
that of the surrounding country, of the
city of Los Angeles, and the mission OF
San Gabriel. The fame of the daugh-
ter of Garfias had spread even among
the Americans, and when strangers
can, they were taken to the house OF
Garfias, upon the outskirts of Sonora
town. SO 1t may be supposed that Re-
fugio had lovers. They came from far
and near, and from every rank of Call
fornia life. There was an American
whose fortune was vast and rs gener-
ously spent rs fortunes were In the ear
ly fifties; there was an Engllshman
with n determination to have her at
any cost, even at that of few liyes-a
tendency of character which accounted
for his presence In the States and for
ais expatriation; there was priest who
was eating out his wretched soul for
her, and who had so far fallen from
grace as to have told her SO; there were
innumerable Mexicans. ranchers, shop
keepers, desperadoes, and gamblers. All
followed tamely and suppliantly In Re-
fugio's train.
But she loved only Mascavel. She ad-
mitted 1t Mt last to Senior Garfias, when
that wiry little creature demanded that
she make n choice. The senior was
aghast. phe possibility of it had not
occurred TO him.
antonio Mascavel!" he said But
you do not know him."
Refugio nodded her little head. ISL"
she said.
"Where have you seen him?'
She was not minded to tell of the
meetings in the wllow-hldden bed of
the arroyo, so she held her peace.
''But the man Is bad character. He
Is a gambler
Still Refugio was silent. There must
be better arguments than faults, Vices,
or crimes to bring against the unan-
swerable one that woman loves.
OF this Senior Garfias became grad
ually aware after he had protested for
hours and for days, and after finding
that despite his prohibitions, despite
close supervision, his fair daughter and
Mascayel were in constant communl-
cation.
Then he hunted out Antonio himself
where he sat playing at cards in the
bar-room of the Lafayette, and he
pleaded with him. courteously and re-
spectfully, for Mascavel was big
man and a desperate one. But he, too,
answered that he loved, and when all
was said and done, 1t had gone no far
Their than this, that they both loved,
and that wisdom might stand aside.
Garfias went with his baffled hopes
to Senior Vejar-the brother of Soda
The house of Nejar--a two-romed adobe
which had never been whtewashed-
stood several hundred yards farther
north along the road than that of Gar
iias. Ii was the last one before the
open country. and had no neighbors.
Senior NeJar was much younger than
Garias. lie had the same mighty brow
and powerful mouth that made his sis
ter hldeous to a race that loves all
things gentle and gracious. He was
one of those who pined for Rcfug.o, but
her father did not know this. So he
told him the whole story of his thwart-
ed VIII and plans, and implcred advice
rs he made cigarette.
III it were not for the cursed laws of
the Gringoes; II things were as they
were in my youth, | coul: force my
own daughter to marry TIE man |
pleased" he said.
! Nejar shook his head you can not
do that" he answered.
What. then. shall dog' Garflas
was moved to the point of tears. They
hung on his long black lashes and drop
ped on his old blue overalls.
The situation was too complicated TO
be set straight in moment. 1t was
hot simplified by WEARS having his
own suit and chances to consider. II
can not advise yon at once" he said: ~
will think and will help you, If | can. In
the morning" He took counsel with
his sister when Gartias had ridden
away.
"Oh!" snarled Sola. the love of An
tonic! A thousand dollars would bury