The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1902-10-24
CHAPTER XIV

A0C0 10 tU0 BOuJU WeBlOU WOUlQ come
once moro within view OF tho rancho,
II only to look afar upon the buildini
where they had Y met. She dressed
hurriedly, called one Of the poems even
then astir and ordered her horse sad
died. Long before Allyn had taught
her to ride and one Of the numerous
gentle ponies about the place had been
designated as her animal. Not waiting
ing for so much as cup of coffee, she
mounted from the platform built for
that purpose and started toward the
4 river. She recognized even then that
she was on wild-goose chase, but it
was some relief to her to be decreas-
ing the distance between them by ever
SO little. There was no dew-there
seldom is on the Rio Grande-and the
fiinty soil of the prairie rang under
the rapid hoof- beats of the quick little
steed. In many places the constant
winds had blown the ground bare of
all heritage and tiny dust circles rose
and whirled away. There was life in
the cool, crisp dry air and the blood
mounted to her cheeks in the swift
gallop. Her tawny hair, loosened by
the motion SO that it hung almost to
her shoulders, her wide sombrero tilt
ed backward, her 1.-the graceful figure
swaying to each leap Of the horse,i one
small boot fitted neatly into the stir
rup, one gauntleted hand held low
with the reins, sitting easily and care
lessly, she seemed some divinity of
that far, wild country as she. swept
along. ......
Reaching the American bank Of the
river and pausing at the beginning of
the ford, she placed her right hand to
| her eyes and under it explored the
opposite bank, just then beginning to
show the gold of the sun which had
risen behind her. She looked long
and fruitlessly. Once she thought that
she saw a movement in the chaparral,
but gazing more intently all was still.
Once she thought she heard a move
ment in the underground behind her,
but deeming 1t only the rustic Of some
small animal did not turn her head.
On either side of the path by which
she had come the cactus and catclaw
grew to the waters. edge. Indeed it
was within five feet of her on either
hand as she sat in the saddle Realiz-
ing at last that any hope of seeing
her lover was vain, she slipped lightly
down, unwound the stake rope from
the horn of the saddle and permitted
the pony to walk into the water for
his morning drink. Standing thus and
idly swinging the rope to and fro, her
thoughts far away with the lonely
man riding toward the interior of that
unknown country, she heard again
the rustic behind her and wheeled in
stantly.
Still holding to the rope and startled
but not frightened, she confronted
small, dark man, dressed in the ex-
tremity of the gaudy Mexican fashion.
At the same instant on either side of
the trail dozen Of his companions
rose. In silence each of them lifted
his sombrero and bowed gravely, each
or them said in concert, "Buenas dias.
Senora!" each Of them replaced his
hat, each of them placidly blocked the
path.
Inc small man spoke In fair Eng
lish, but slowly:
"Senor Vavara, at the Senora's sery-
ice, We have watched the Sonora for
several days. Her wanderings have
taken her toward the river. The river
belongs as much to the true people as
to the Americanos. The Senora's hus-
band is responsible for a recent at
tack on us. He caused the death of
our lieutenant, the brave Weston, and
of one, Juan Cara, man of mine.
No harm will come to the Sonora: I
beg her to believe that; I. Ramon Va
vara, have said it." He pointed to his
breast dramatically. "But the Sonora
will come with US in all honor. Sure
ly the Senior, her husband, will nav
ransom for her.
"For whom do you take me" The
girls voice was thick and her face a
dead white. but her bearing undaunted.
(To be continued.)
Gen. Miles Set Hard Pace.
Gen. Miles went the other day to re-
view some militia maneuvers and q
sham battle at Leesburg. VT, relates
the New York Times. The militiamen
were honored by his presence, but