Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1901-12-12

that would have made B4anea sllile a'
another time.
asHe willnot come-tben the stranger
NAV die" She flung herself in tears
upon the couch. A moment OF restless
weeping and she rose again. Her halr
was unbound, and the long oiacK
tresses draped over two lustrous eyes
that famed like jet black ornaments
set in cheeks Of ruby.
"Then / will go and ask him. On my
knees will plead for him to listen. Let
it not be said that daughter OF Spain
because Of her pride, allowed one who
had been her fathers guest to die
without an effort to save him"
Throwing a mantilla over her head
she started; but before the door was
reached it opened to admit Juan. His
heart, too, had triumphed over his
pride. He could not remain away
when she whom he loved had called.
BLANCA, am here" he said, quietly.
Blanca made no attempt TO conceal
her Joy at seeing him, and told in
quick. nervous words what she had
overheard. Juan grasped the situation
instantly.
quick, Pedro; call Antonio and Car
los! They are at the corral now with
the horses"
Blanca brushed back her hair and
smiled, and Juan, prompt in love as in
war, would have folded her in his arms,
but with a gesture only slightly re-
pellant she waved him off. He stood an
instant looking into eyes that half
contradicted the motion of the hand,
decided that the present was not time
to be impetuous and sprang through
the door to meet the horsemen.
"Juan!" she called after his retreat7
ing form.
"Yes, Blanca"
"You will be careful?"
Eyes"
"And come to me when you return|
ayes, B.anca; yes"
The hoofbeats Of the horses as they
swept down the hillside kept time to
the beating of Blanca's heart.
Half an hour after Dominguez and
his accomplice stole through the pass
Juan. Antonio and Carlos we're riding
rapidly over the same ground. A little
later the traveller WAS startled to see
! three mounted men in front of him.
( The four came together and held a
brief consultation, after which single
horseman galloped forward.
Dominguez, lying behind log at the
roadside, heard him coming.
"Celestin, he comes; perform your
part"
Celestin cast himself headlong in the
dust Of the road. The galloping horse
came on, saw the body in the road
snorted and stood still. Celestin ut.
tered a low moan. The horse reared
and attempted to bolt.
"Oh, good stranger, help me-"
"Are you hurt?"
"Oh, much. sir. Ny horse has
thrown me. Dismount and give as
sistance."
The rider urged his horse as neal
The PROSTATE form as he dared, anC
bent forward as If to dismQunt, at thu
same time looking warily around
The STOPPING form of Dominguez crep
round to the rear, and when the horse
man dismounted on one side he came
up on the other As the horsemar
bent over the form of the shamming
man he heard the catlike tread o
Dominguez drawing closer. Instant,
he released his hold upon the horse
bride, and it sprang back quickly, re
vealing the Mexican leaning forward
with uplifted knife. Quick as a giasl
the heel of the supposed traveller wa
on the throat of the PROSTATE sheep
herder, and his left hand grasped tn,
dagger arm of the astounded Mexican
at the wrist.
Juan de forrest" shrieked tn
would-be assassin, trembling as II h
had seen a ghost.
"Yes, Demonio; It is I. Surrender
Dominguez looked into Juan's pisto
barrel for one nerve-withering in
slant; then his knife slipped from hi
fingers and he stood with downcas
eyes, thoroughly cowed man.
Juan discharged his pistol in ali
From somewhere up the road came al
answering shot and the hurryini
hoofs of horses.
In the small hours of the mornini
the traveller went on his journey un
scathed, while Juan rode homewarC
. followed by Antonio and Carlos, bring
ing the sullen captives, who knew full
well what justice would be meted on
. TO them.
Blanca was waiting to greet Juar
. She met him by the clump of div
. trees just as dawn was breaking II
, threw his cloak about her and sh
! took his arm. They strolled bac
along the crest Of the mesa to a prom
ontory jutting out over the valley. A
; ocean of mist lay beneath them.
iotilla Of clouds sailed just above. TIL
: mountains lowered behind, and owe
, their crumbling ridges the scarlet he
: aid Of coming day was lurking.
. Blanca was not indifferent now. A,