The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-01-14

before, and was known as "Grfngo Pope"
His name was Peter Frost. He waved his
hand to Casper, his face beaming. Not
only did the bold spirit OF the Pera BROTH
ers commend itself to the adventurous
American, but they were among the few in
this part of the world who could speak
little English.
Hello compadre," he cried. why,
what's the row?"
Gaspar wrung the Americans hand.
"I am half mad" he said. THAT cursed
witch has hoodooed my sister. and she Is
dying"
The Americans face paled.
"Oh, IT can't be as bad as that" he said.
pretty Donna Ysabel Why, she was the
| principal person allowed to see. Tell me
all about it,
| He linked his arm in Gaspar's, and
walked toward the Pera's house. They
mounted slowly. while Gaspar poured out
the tale.
Him." said the American. I'D have
| fouted all that once if it hadn't been for
that there charm she give me. It's brought
| me luck, and no mistake; for never had
| any before, and I've won everything in
sight since. I always keep 1t on the table
| beside me, and the boys have tried to steal
it morn once. One thing come back for
was to give the old woman a bag Of gold
and my best respects"
| He paused and looked at Gaspar And
then he knew the mistake he had made.
The young Mexican's face was a pale
greenish yellow with passion.
'It need only that" he gasped. "It need
1 ny11xy hot Av,d CHI cha M ia
witch; that she give nothing to no one.
Ay, dos! it is time that she die!'
'Oh, come" said the American. uneasily.
"She's harmless old soul, and would not
hurt anyone. I remember now she told me
that she sometimes gave luck pieces to
people she hked-you remember / saved
| her life once; dragged her from under
Garland that she never gave to those who
came to her with gold. She swore that the
| gratitude with which she gave me the old
| dollar would bring me luck. And it has.
I can't see any harm come to her."
Come with me" said Gaspar, grimly.
| He led the way into the house and to the
| bedside of his sister. Three old crones were
in attendance, and Francisco was huddled
| in chair, weeping. Ysabel was whittier
than the counterpart and still babbling.
"Have you sent for doctor?" asked the
American.
THAT is what she say" exclaimed Cas-
par, fiercely. You see her?'
IF you mean Brigida, 1 have not. But
see girl that needs doctor, and have
seen that kind before"
"She no need DOCTOR" said Gaspar with
a growl. what the witch do she can
undo
"And this is the year of grace. 1897, and
within telephone distance of the United
Statesr" exclaimed the American. Good
Lordr'
"You no have witches in the United
States?" demanded Gaspar.
1--WE burned all we had while your grand
mother was wearing her panties down
around her ankles and having her daguer-
reotypes taken; and curse those who did it.
Who ever hears of such nonsense in these
| days? Here, I'm as much interested in this
business as you are. 1 want to marry your
sister. That's what I've come back here for,
If you want the whole truth. / amt hand
some. but 1 can love her and take care of
her, and I'm rich. I'll take her up to Frisco
and make lady of her. Begin your par
don, 1 mean she'll cut a dash in that there
town. Turn out these old buzzards and I'll
go down to La Paz and come back with a
doctor and nurse
Francisco had dropped his hands and was
staring eagerly at the speaker. His face,
| naturally as fierce as his brothers, was
swollen with weeping. He was the young
er Of the two. and nearer the age of the
girl, who was the idol of the brothers.
Gaspar hesitated.
"Bueno!" he said in a moment. ct be-
lieve you, Don Pope, and / do what you
wish. if you do thing first Go to
Brigida and do all you can to make her
take from my sister the curse. Perhaps
the doctor can do something no know
but perhaps, too, Ysabel die before he get
here So see Brigida first. Then, 81 you
want, 1 am glad my sister marry you!"
"Bueno, bueno," murmured Francisco.
The American turned on his heel.
VERY WE'LL he said, trying to keep the
disgust out of his voice. "I'll waste time
and go to her first"
1t was late at night when he returned
The whole town was swarming on it's hills
and even over the street of many pitfalls
but he went straight to the house of the
Peras. The two young men were sitting
alone with their sister.
"She swears that she has had nothing tc
do with this he said, land l. for one, be.
leve her. She thinks the girl is love-sick
which is not pleasant for me. Nevertheless
as the other man is disposed of and as
girls Of that age are not unusually long
gettin' over the first love, I'll go for the
doctor and take my chances. Meanwhile
as Brigida amt no SLOUGH of a doctor. PG
advise you to call her in till t'other comes
Adios."
Five days passed. 1t was time for the
American to have returned twice over, but
there was no sign of him. To be sure the
road between San Mateo and La Paz was
one of the worst In Baja California, and
had been made all but impossible in places
by recent earthquakes. The American
might have broken the legs of three mus
) tangs and come up on no hacienda where
} he might demand fourth. And the lonely
} mountain passes were infested with ban.
dts and wild beasts. But relatives watch
ing by the sick bed made no al
lowances. Ysabel's pallor had given place
to deep flush, and every crone in the