The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-01-14

but dropped them quickly, and went on
with her scanty breakfast.
THAT was Manuela, the bride Of Paulo
Martinez, who came here just now," he
said, peremptorily, land she came for a
hoodoo for my sister. Paulo like a fool
danced with her last night, and this fiend
OF a Manuela Is jealous. What have you
given her?'
The old woman shook her head. 81 gave
her nothing" she said. sadly. why do
you accuse me of such things? / spend
my life helping the poor, and spending on
them the money these fools press into my
hands when they come to me for advice,
but I do no harm to anyone-none-none.
"Oh, we've heard all that before said
the young man, CONTEMPORARY, and
Manuela is not the woman to go away
without getting what she wants. Tell me
this, at least: Did she ask you for a
hoodoo or poiSOnI"
The old woman shook her head. II new
er say what they come to ask, but I give
them nothing, nothing"
, Gaspar, who had been pacing up and
down the room excitedly, suddenly stopped
and shook his fist in her face.
"Bueno!" he exclaimed. Hear me. If
anything happens to my sister. I'll kill
you. Do you understand? Kill you. So If
you've put hoodoo on her take it off II
you care anything for your own life. And
if it's poison you've given, go after that
devil and get 1t back. can get to my
house before she dares go there, and it
won't be given today, whatever she may
do later. Do you understand
The old woman wrung her hands. 81
can do nothing, for j have done nothing
she cried, her gnarled face puckering with
fright. IF anything happens to your sis
ter shall be blamed-Madre de Dios!--and
can do nothing"
But Gaspar had left the hut, and was
climbing the wall of the canyon. He was
long reaching the top, but he found the
mustang quietly grazing, and when he
pointed her for home she went feetly
enough.
The town was awake when he reached
1t, and he met Paulo, Manuela, and their
intimate friends starting for the ranch
Manuela looked very pale, and sat on her
husbands horse, encircled by his arm. As
she met the menacing eyes of Gaspar she
flushed and turned away her head. He
made his way down the street of many ex-
cavations as rapidly as he could, then
abandoned the mustang, and climbed the
rock on which he lived with his brother
and beloved sister.
The house was quiet. Francisco was
doubtless sleeping off his debauch, and
ISABEL of late had spent half the morning
in her bed. His anxious spirit could brook
no delay, and he went directly to her room.
There was no answer to his knock, and he
opened the door and entered. ISABEL lay
on her back picking at the bedclothes, and
muttering foolish words.
Ill
Before the day was half over the whole
town Of San Mateo was talking Of the
bewitching Ysabel Pera by old Brigida OF
the Sandy canyon. Gaspar had rushed from
house to house asking If any one had seen
Manuela Martinez climb the hill to his
home. No one had, although several had
been smoking their morning cigaritos In
full view of 1t; and others had seen her
return and go straight to her own home.
Clearly, then, 1t was not poison that had
wrought the terrible change In Ysabel; but
the still more fatal "hoodoo."
Gaspar and Francisco were frantic and
were for killing the witch at once. But
there are always calmer spirits even
among excited Mexicans. and these coun-
seled begging. bribing. or threatening Bril-
gtda TO remove the curse
For what she has done she can undo"
they said; land II she dies Ysabel must die
too. Brigida Is the only hope. Let her
live at least until she has plucked out the
curse"
Gaspar, therefore. mounted his fleetest
mustang and rode fsSiouslx to the ut IN