Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1901-12-12
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! BLANCA'S 4
: AN G w E r 1
y BY CLARK MeFARLANE x
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copyright 1901, By Authors syndieate)
BY CLARK meFARLANE

THE place was among the roliins
mesas of the Santa Ynez. not lar
from where Point Conception looks
out into the sea. and the time was ~
wears ago. when Spanish cattle dot
ted every valley from Monterey 10
San Diego, and many low mesa was
crowned by the group Of adobe build
ings that marked the abiding place
of a Spanish don whose open-hearteu
hospitality and unimpeachable honor
were his pride, and whose leagues OF
land and herds of cattle were ms
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? win you say
tomorrow"
.sYes: tomorrow and tomorrow
and tomorrow"
"And you mean, never, never, new
er," Juan calculated, angrily, as he
sprang 10 his feet. Each day | come
and plead with you, and each day you
repulse me with a cold disregard
whether studied or real, / cannot tell
that is maddening. / will come no
more until you send-perhaps not
even then"
depend upon 1t, sir, ! will not
send tin have more need than now"
she answered, hotly; then added
with a fine irony, perhaps not even
then"
Juan had a bad temper and was
not much given to patience with any
one: but the fash of his eye was
nothing to Blanca. lie might Hash
them II he liked, or he might not; it
was all the same to her. At least,
she sometimes tried to persuade her
self IL was. She almost succeeded in
feeling that way now as she strolled
homeward along the mesa's brow.
The sun had set and a blaze OF
glorious coloring famed above the
Jagged outlines Of the mountains for
a few minutes, growing fainter and
fainter until when olanea 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 pryinto other
people's affairs, but because the
warm. perfume-laden air sweeping
gently up from the Towering pas
lures. bathing her cheeks so delicate
w. 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 il is so. heard the clink
when he got on his horse and | saw the
leather strap that holds the bag
"But be is gone now"
Gone. yes; but not far. Not five
miles vet. and l know the way through
the pass well. We can be on the road
ahead of him before he goes half as
far again.
"And then?'
"And then, you fooll Why, what
have you there in your belt?"
The other laughed mean, cowardly
laugh, and Blanca heard them wall
on in the darkness. The first speaker
was Dominguez, a Mexican yaquero il
the employ of Juan and her father, anC
the other voice Blanca recognized al
that Of French sheep herder namet
celestin. Could ii be that Domingue
was plotting against the Traveller who
late in the afternoon, had come TO III
house, craving their hospitality for al
hour or two, while he rested his horse
and whom she had seen ride away no
n an hour ago?
: The Mexican had long borne a shad
reputation, and Juan, had he been a
.. wise as he was brave, would have dis
. charged him long ago. More than on
affair Of the road had been traced al
. most to his door. and now, to all aI
1 pearances, he was plotting rohber
and murder, his intended victim bein
his employers guest who was to fal
4 almost within their gates.
Blanca had but single though
The stranger must be saved He
father was away, and Juan must do il
His arm was strong, his courage ur
n doubted, his own sense of honor woul
n lash him to the highest effort to pr,
gent such stain upon the good nam
! Of the rancho; and If he needed a spui
y why Blanca's commands could furnis
le. It. She hurried into the house.
Here, Pedro; run quickly and ca
X. Juan. l want him instantly"
There was no mistaking his sister
tone, and the boy was off like a sho
Suddenly Blanca remembered n