Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1901-09-20
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downright 1901 by Authors syndicatc1
BY CLARK MeFARLANE

years ago, Wnen spanish CaUlle uOJ-
red every valley from Monterey to
San Diego, and many low mesa was
crowned by the group of adobe build
fngs that marked the abiding place
Of Spanish don whose open-hearted
hospitality and unimpeachable honor
-ceerc his pride, and whose leagues of
Iaud and herds of cattle were his
wealth
"Not to-day, Juan" the Spanish
girl was saying languidly.
when, them" asked the eager
young Spaniard, as he clutched more
eighty at the hand he held and
Eookcd scarchingly up into Blanca's
eyes.
But Blanca's eyes refused to be
searched and wandered away down
che hillside 10 where the cattle-her
fathers and Juan's-were grazing.
"To-morrow, Blanca? Will you say
Tomorrow"
=-Yes; tomorrow and tomorrow
aud tomorrow"
"And you mean. never, never, new
.er," Juan calculated. angrily, as he
syraug to his feet. Each day come
mud plead wish you, and each day you
r-cpulse me with cold disregard
whether studied or real, | cannot tell
that is maddening. | will come no
more until you send-perhaps not
even then
depend upon it, sir, I will not
Fscud till have more need than now"
shc 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
orc; but the flash of his eye was
nothing to Blanca. He might flash
chem if he liked, or he might not; 1T
veas all the same to her. At least,
zhe sometimes tried to persuade her
scJf il 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
Jswycd outlines of the mountains for
W few minutes, growing fainter and
fainter until when -,lanca gained the
-t-l,.mp of olive trees a; the foot OF
rhs path leading up to the house,
.isa "kness had fallen.
Nearing voices, she fingered a mo-
szr,cnt, not from desire 10 pryinto other
pcople-s affairs, but because the
yvarm. perfume-laden air sweeping
gently up from the Towering pas
turcs, bathing her cheeks so delicate
1y. and the low hum of voices beat
ing upon her ears so musically, fas-
e.iuated her. How long she remained
IL, this dreamy state she did not
know. Suddenly she became aware
-tbat the meaning of the words spoken
mot far away was creeping into her
r,iud. What was that they were say
ing7 =,
II tell you 1t 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"
-~y4one, YES; but not far. Not five
rraiIes vet, and / know the way through
the mass well We can be on the road
ahead OF him before he goes half as
Tar again"
"And then?"
-And then, you fool! Why, what
have you there in your belt?"
The other laughed a mean, cowardly
Isurh, and Blanca heard them walk
on ia the darkness. The first speaker
was DomingueZ, a Mexican vaquero in
-she employ of Juan and her father, and
,the other voice Blanca recognized as
that of French sheep herder named
yclestin. 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,
,aad whom she had seen ride away not
iab 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
a ffair of the road had been traced al
most to his door, and now, to all APP
pearances, he was plotting robbery
aud murder, his intended victim being
his employers guest who was to fall
almost within their gates.
Blanca had but a single thought.
'1hr stranger must be saved. Her
IA ther was away, and Juan must do it.
His arm was strong, his courage un-
doubted, his own sense of honor would
Ia sh him to the highest effort to pre-
went such stain upon the good name
sof the rancho; and if he needed spur,
Why Blanca's commands could furnish
5t. She hurried into the house.
-'Here, Pedro; run quickly and call
-TuaO l want him INSTANTLY
There was no mistaking his sisters
tome, and the boy was off like shot.
Suddenly Blanca remembered the
words with which Juan had parted
from her. Under the stress of the mo-
znent she had forgotten that she and
Juan were no longer friends, much less
lovers.
"Stay, Pedro! Come back" But
Pedro was gone beyond recall. Blanca
was vexed. She bit her nails and
tn tt,na1 her foot