Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1901-09-25
80.
BLANCA'S !
AN S.W E r !
BY CLARK McFARLANE
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
Copyright, 1901, by Authors syndicate.)

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 3:S!5SS53SSS&'
Copyright, 1901, by Authors syndicate)
THE place was among the rolling
mesas of the Santa 1nez, not far
from where Point Conception looks
out into the sea, and the time was 40
years ago, when Spanish cattle dot.
ted every valley from Monterey to
San Diego, and many a low mesa was
crowned by the group of adobe build
ings that marked the abiding place
of a Spanish don whose open-hearted
hospitality and unimpeachable honor
were his pride, and whose leagues of
land and herds of cattle were his
wealth.
'Not to-day, JUAN" the Spanish
girl was saying languidly.
when, then?" asked the eager
young Spaniard, as he clutched more
tightly at the hand he held. and
looked searchingly up into Blanca's
eyes.
But Blanca's eyes refused to be
searched and wandered away down
the hillside to where the cattle-her
fathers and Juan's-were grazing.
Tomorrow, Blanca? Will you say
tomorrow"
Eyes; tomorrow and tomorrow
and Tomorrow"
And you mean, never, never, new
err" Juan calculated, angrily, as he
sprang to his feet. Each day I come
and plead with you, and each day you
repulse me with a cold disregard
whether studied or real, I cannot tell
that is maddening. I will come no
more until you send-perhaps not
even then"
depend upon it, sir, I will not
send till have more need than nov"
she answered, hotly;., then added,
with fine irony, perhaps not even
then"
Juan had bad temper and was
not much given to patience with any
one; but the flash of his eye was
nothing to Blanca. He might flash
them if he liked, or he might not; it
was all the same to her. At least,
she sometimes tried to persuade her.
self it was. She almost succeeded in
feeling that way now as she strolled
homeward along the mesa's brow.
The sun had set and blaze of
glorious coloring famed above the
Jagged outlines of the mountains for
a few minutes, growing fainter and
fainter until when ,lanca gained the
clump of olive trees at the foot of
the path leading up to the house,
darkness had fallen.
Hearing voices, she fingered a mo-
ment, not from desire to pry into other
peoples affairs, but because the
warm, perfume-laden air sweeping
gently up from the Towering pas
lures, bathing her cheeks so delicate
ly, and the low hum of voices beat
ing upon her ears so unsteady, fas-
cinated her. How long she remained
in this dreamy state she did not
know. Suddenly she became aware
that the meaning of the words spoken
not far away was creeping into her
mind. What was that they were say
ing?
II tell you it is so. heard the clink
when he got on his horse and I saw the
leather strap that holds the bag"
But he is gone now
"Gone, yes; but not far. Not five
miles yet, and I know the way through
the pass we'll. We can be on the road
ahead of him before he goes half as
far again."
"And then?"
sand then, you fool! Why, what
have you there in your belt?'
The other laughed mean, cowardly
laugh, and Blanca heard them walk
on in the darkness. The first speaker
was Dominguez, a Mexican vaquero in
the employ of Juan and her father, and
the other voice Blanca recognized as
that of a French sheep herder named
Celestin. Could it be that Dominguez
was plotting against the traveller who,
late in the afternoon, had come to the
house, craving their hospitality for an
hour or two, while he rested his horse,
and whom she had seen ride away not
an hour ago? .&
~ The Mexican had long borne shady
reputation, and Juan, had he, been as
wise as he was brave, would have dis
charged him long ago. More than one
affair of the road had been traced al
most to his door, and now, to ali APP
pearances, he was plotting robbery
and murder, his intended victim being
his employees guest who was to fall
almost within their gates. s..s s.ss
Blanca had but single thought.
The stranger must be saved. Her
father was away, and Juan must do it.
/ His arm was strong, his courage I'M
doubted, his own sense of honor would
lash him to the highest effort to pre-
vent such a stain upon the good name
of the rancho; and il he needed q spur,
why, Blanca's comma Ids could furnish
! st. She hurried lit the house .s,aE I. ~ IS
Here, Pedro; run quickly and call
Juan. J want him instantl 4 sls.
ss6;