Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1900-03-03

i the air vibrant and electric. The
ashed earth was distorted from the
Rnnishmept il had endured.
MIS- Elliott emerged from the farti-
eat corner OF the lee room-tbere were
hut four--aud made an attack on the
heaPs CT alkali dust that covered the
aeor. Her weapons were a fire shovel
and coal scuttle. A mere broom would
nave awaited NO more than feather.
She was n northern woman making
acquaintance with the new southwest
she had mentally pronounced in favor
rs Hades- Domestic help in the south
west is a case of Chinaman or nothing.
AIRS. Elliott would have preferred 3
Zebra.
"A shadow fell silently across the tiny
'satrance way and soft voice said:
Good evenin'.''
Madam resented the southernisn. II
sras o1lH afternoon. However. she
sooked toward the open door and &C
-eepted the challenge.
-D'y'all want a girl7"
Mrs. Elliott gripped her shovel firm
- TO prevent herself from throwing her
.Axms around the womans neck.
viii you walk in ?''
She family remembered a tradition
Tegarding servants entrances and 9TH
ST devices Of civilization, but they were
dntangibie vapors, beating idly against
&he rocks of primitive conditions.
The Texan smiled gently, and her
brown eyes were as friendly as dogs.
She seated herself unasked, calmly
rocking back and forth and apparently
seeing no reason TO pause IN the chew
&pg of her gum.
Are you looking for a placer
Yes. f'see. m husbun has jes died.
an' OF c'ose / cayn't live alone in a tent
ssat on the piaia."
Mrs Elliott bowed in recognition of
Texas conveptionalities.
Il thought mebby y'll 'ud low me put
my tent in y'all's back yahd. Then I'D
ne safe an / cu'd wo'k feb y'alL"
The idea was good. Mrs. Elliott
agTasPed II with concealed eagernesx.
Yes; m husbun lef me a shack an
- Pa'h o mules and a wagon"
Her shipper could not be called purse
proud, but it was certainly well salts
Aed. Husband been dead long?"
bout three weeks" Her cheerful
Aass was suspicious.
Was be good to your
reckon he was as good as most,
Wnen he was sober. Sometimes when
ned been drinkin' he ust beat me-"
This had apparently been no cause
1es resentment, but was regarded with
Ziid unconcern as the usual coprs. Of
nature
what is your namer"
>Loo-eye-za."
Mrs. Elliott gasped, but her necessi-
Shes were great.
Loo-eye-za." she said, with a gulp.
JoH may come tomorrow"
: Early the next morning the shack and
shackhold effects appeared, in charge Of
2 lazy, shiftless looking and unkempt
<sxas ranger, smelling vileiy of tobac-
90 and whisky. Looeyeza followed with
AAiling elaboration.
Who is that man? asked Mrs. Eli
eta. - --'''
lie says bis name is Mack Taylor"
In New Mexico it is the part of wis
dom to take mans word for his name.
and to make no further INQUIRIES
rs he friend OF yours?''
'es oh 9ohoen, an got him to
move M shack feb me. / never saw
him befoh."
When the full New Mexican moon
nung overhead that night, flooding the
plains with silver sheen for a hundred
miles, unwonted voices reached Mrs.
sEdIlott's ear. She made an errand into
ahe back yard. On a bench in the tent
ueor sat Looeyeza and Taylor. His feet
were on another bench. and he had shed
his coat. He had the air of a man per-
5eetly at home.
Il jes' come oveh t'see et I'd pot Mra
'nenders' shack fixed all right" he ex-
claimed. thrusting his pipe behind him
And trying to appear unconcerned. Loo
eyeza's smile was conscious and silly.
Looeyeza took no trouble to adjust
nerself to her new conditions. She let
sbem fall around her and shape them
serves rs they would. Her smile waa
MIS-. Eliiott's despair. She ceased 70
wonder her husband had beaten her.
On the third day OF her advent she
3osaed her mistress and q caller in the
room dignified by the name Of parior.
seated herself, with q serene interest ia
me nevcomer. ard smiled on both ladies
eenigniy. For few seconds the at
ns.paere Of theaoom was peculiar.
Thomas Jefferson's ideas of demoo
raey were crude and limited" remarked
.Nrs. Elliott to her friend.
Very" said the lady, with ready ap
Pseciaton. Thomas should have lived
in Texas"
These remarks not being OF interes,
30 Looeyeza. she decided to sit on the
front porch. from which madam dis
lodged her later by an errand.
THAT Taylor comes every evening &c
80 Looeyeza," said Mrs. Elliott to hes