The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-02-12
In San Gabriel Valley,


In San Gabriel Valley.
Agatha Morreu sat in the shade Of
the vine wreathed portico of her pie
turesque adobe home in the San Gabriel
valley.
She glanced impatiently over the wide
sandy arroyo-the level stretch Of
which was broken only by huge boul-
ders sage brush and great clumps Of
cactus-on toward the high purple
mountains in the distance, and wonder
ed why Clare didn't come.
Not breath stirred the dropping pep
per boughs which shaded the rambling
old ranch house, and the American flag
at the doorway hung limp on it's staff
"She wrote she'd be here before faith
er left, and he's been gone two hours"
said Agatha. IF she doesn't come, I'll
never forgive her, leaving me alone
here two days with nobody but Pedro
and Francisco and not .neighbor near-
er than the Lorings, and I wouldn't go
there if I was frightened to DEATH"
thought Agatha with a vivid BLUSH.
But her anxiety was soon relieved by
the arrival of the plump, pretty girl
riding her own broncho
Think / was never coming? We'll,
that lazy Jose would not round up Tito,
and I couldn't get started. All the
Mexicans over at San Gabriel seem to
be getting lazier and uglier since this
war started. We had an awful time
yesterday with them; tearing down all
the American flags in sight-nearly riot.
Dear me"-rattled on the visitor as the
girls tied Tito TO a tall eucalyptus to
wait Pedro's slow attention-"you have
got a flag up, haven't you? How queer
it looks floating over the old Spanish
adobe
you wouldn't have us forget our pat
riotism because we live in the home of
some old Spaniard would you?" asked
Agatha, with spirit.
Il should think you would be afraid
of the Spanish Mexicans around here"
"Oh, Pedro and Francisco are as 10y
al Americans as we, and l guess any
one would not dare touch our flag when
Pedro was around!
''Oh, you can't tell. I wouldn't trust
one of Them" said Clare. nervously.
I'D take it down. The Spaniards are
relate all the terrible stories she had
heard of Spanish treachery.
Agatha was4Teally brave, but her
timid friend, with the accounts of the
troubles over in town, her tremors and
representations, began really to make
her nervous, though she scoffed at all
suggestions of danger.
The morning was happily spent in
g'irlish gossip, and Glare displayed great
curiosity about certain Fred Loring,
whom she had long suspected was de-
voted to her pretty friend, but whom
Agatha pretended to regard with great
Indifference.
Francisco served a dainty luncheon,
of which the principal dish was her
famous frfjole salad. but Glare persist
ed in regarding her with looks Of ap-
prehension, and swallowed every
mouthful as if she suspected poison.
AS the hot afternoon drew on, and
the girls were preparing for the usual
summer afternoon siesta, Glare rushed
from the darkeled chamber assigned
her into Agathas pretty bedroom,
disheveled and wild-eyed.
II told you so; 1 knew it, she cried
excitedly. Look here" and. dragging
her friend close to the lattice work
shutters, called her attention to Pedro.
See; he's got your fathers rfle-and
he's coming toward the house-we'll be
know we will-oh, what
shall we d6?"
Pedro's aspect was certainly fierce
and threatening, but Agatha's courage
did not quite desert her until she caught
a glimpse Of the dark visaged Francisco,
with an unsheathed knife held
firmly in her teeth, while in one hand
she carried a Ratchet.
Agatha did not pause to see what she
held in the other, but grasping Clare by
the arm, made wild rush through the
patio for the sage brush back Of the
krall, which they reached GREATNESS, but
safe.
All that long afternoon, stung by cacti
needles, blistered by the burning sun,
the two girls lay shuddering, exhausted,
in a 1.iIxy n r, u xyfI11
death, and not until the fresh evenings
sea breeze sprang up, and they were
If they must spend the night
there, did they hear footsteps coming
toward them.
He's coming-oh, pray, Agatha
pray" moaned Glare, and Agatha, de-
termined not to die without a protest,
raised herself up from the prickly re-
treat, only to throw herself Historically
into the arms of young fellow, who
was speechless with surprise.
"Oh, Fred-save us-save u.s." Shrek
ed Agatha.
Save you from what, my darling?"
ventured Fred, taking full advantage
Of the position, which was as delightful
to him as unexpected.
"Oh, Fred, DON'T whispered Agatha.
Have you got your pistols? Pedro is
going to shoot us and Francisco cut
our thfOatS.
Pedro" exclaimed Fred, sitting a
laugh; the last l saw of him he was
his way down the road after
two drunken MeXicans who We're hang
ing around in the brush. He said he
thought they were after Old Glory"
"And Franciscan" asked Glare, trem-
olingly.
She was cutting UP a chicken in the
patio for the little missys dinner she
said, when l went through to ask for the
aides. She said you had both been
asleep all the afternoon"
"Oh, Fred, how ridiculous" said
Agatha, struggling to arrange her dis
ordered dress, but some way she and
Fred seemed to be very happy over
in spite of the absurdlty,
and Glare felt decidedly de trop.
Specimens of Lese Majestic.