The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1901-09-26
BLANCA'S
A ~ 6 w E r

by CLARK McFARLAN
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Copyright, 1901, by Authors syndicate.)

-
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
1ngs that marked the abiding place
of Spanish don whose open-hearted
hospitality and unimpeachable honor
were his pride, and whose leagues of
hand 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? viii you say
Tomorrow"
Eyes; tomorrow and tomorrow
and tomorrow"
Sand you mean, never, never, new
er," Juan calculated, angrily, as he
sprang to his feet. Each day | come
and plead wish you, and each day you
repuise me with cold disregard
whether studied or real, l cannot tell
that is maddening. l will come no
more until you send-perhaps not
even then
'fDepend upon it, sir, I will not
send till have more need than now"
zhe 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 flash of his eye was
nothing to Blanca. He might flash
chem 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.
Z The sun had set and a blaze of
glorious coloring famed above the
tagged outlines of the mountains for
a few minutes, growing fainter and
Fainter until when -1lanca gained the
GIump Of olive trees at the foot OF
The path leading up TO the house,
darkness had fallen.
Nearing voices, she fingered mo-
xnent, not from desire to pryinto other
peoples affairs, but because the
warm, perfume-laden air sweeping
gently UP from the Towering pas
lures, bathing her cheeks so delicate
Nv. and the low hum of voices beat
ing upon her ears so unsteady, fas-
sriDated her. How long she remained
iF, 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?
Il tell you it is so. heard the clink
when he got on his horse and saw the
Heather strap that holds the bag"
-.But he is gone now"
'-.Gone, yes; but not far. Not five
miles yet, and know the way through
the pass well. We can be on the road
ahead OF him before he goes half as
far again"
land them"
Wind then, you fool! Why, what
have YOU there in your belt?
The other laughed a mean, cowardly
laugh, and Blanca heard them walk
on in the darkness. The first speaker
WAS Dominguez, Mexican vaquero in
the employ of Juan and her father, and
che other voice Blanca recognized as
that of a French sheep herder named
Cc3estin. Could it be that Dominguez
was plotting against the Traveller who,
Sa1e in the afternoon, had come to the
house, craving their hospitality for an
M91r or two, while he rested his horse,
and whom she had seen ride away not
an hour ago?
The Mexican had long born2 a shady
repufation 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 all APP
pearances, he was plotting robbery
and murder, his intended victim being
his employers guest who was to fall
almost within their gates.
B,Snca had but a 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 stain upon the good name
af the rancho; and if he needed a spur,
WAY Blanca's commands could furnish
1T She hurried into the house.
@'Here, Pedro; run quickly and call
Juan L want him instantly"
There was no mistaking his sisters
tome and the boy was off like a shot.
Suddenly Blanca remembered the
words with which Juan had parted
from her. Under the stress of the mo-
neut she had forgotten that she and
Juan weren no longer friends, much less
lowers.
-EStay, Pedro! Come back!" But
Pedro was gone beyond recall. Blanca
was vexed. She bit her nails and
stamped her foot.
IL 7 IL. 7 j