The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1901-09-20
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! BLANCA'S
} A N SW T. r
by CLARK MeTARLANr
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Copyright, 1901, by Authors syndicate.)

| Copyright, 1901, by Authors syndicate)
THE place was among the rolling
mesas of the Santa Ynez, 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 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 Blancas
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
"To-morrow, 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 come
and plead with you, and each day you
repulse me with q cold disregard
whether studied or real, 1 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 now,
she answered, holly; then added
with a 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; 1t
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 a blaze OF
glorious coloring famed above the
Jagged outlines of the mountains TOT
a few minutes, growing fainter ana
| fainter until when 41lanca gained the
c1ump of olive trees at the loot OF
the path leading up to the nouse'
darkness had fallen.
Hearing voices, she fingered mo-
uent not from desire to pry into other
neonle's affairs, but because the
warm perfume-laden air sweeping
rentlv M from the Towering pas
tnres. bathing her cheeks so dehca1e-
". and the low hum OF voices oea'-
mo upon her ears so muslca1ly' us,
c;nated her. How long she remained
IN this dreamy state she did not
lnow 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? ,.ona tho c,;nk
when he got on his horse and saw tne
leather strap that holds the bag
"But he is gone now.
"Gone, yes; but not far. NOT hve
miles vet, and know the way through
The mass we'll. We can be on the roao
ohead of him before he goes half as
far again."
"And then?''
"And then, you fool! Why, what
have YOU there in your belt?' =,
The other laughed mean, cowaroly
laugh, and Blanca heard them walk
IN IN the darkness. The first speaker
was Dominguez, a Mexican vaquero IN
the employ of Juan and her father anu
the other voice Blanca recognized as
that of a French sheep herder named
Ce1estin. Could it be that Dominguez
was plotting against the traveller who'
late in the afternoon, had come to the
house, craving their hospitality Tor 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 all ap-
pearances, he was plotting robbery
and murder, his intended victim being
his employers guest who was to fall
almost within their gates.
Blanca had but single thought.
The stranger must be saved. Her
father was away, and Juan must do 1T.
His arm was strong, his courage un-
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 if he needed a spur,
why Blanca's commands could furnish
it. She hurried into the house.
"Here, Pedro; run quickly and call
Juan. want him instantly"
There was no installing his sisters
tone, and the boy was off like a shot.
Suddenly Blanca rem rendered the